Clinical trials in diastolic heart failure.
Forty percent to 50% of patients with chronic heart failure have normal or relatively normal left ventricular ejections fractions. These are much more frequently women and tend to be older than those with reduced ejection fractions. In most, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction plays a major role in the genesis of heart failure. Until recently, these patients have been systematically excluded from heart failure trials, so that there are no proven treatments for this group. This article reviews the recent and ongoing trials in patients with diastolic heart failure, which hopefully will lead to improved treatment and outcomes.
Massie
Barry M
BM
Cardiology Division, San Francisco VAMC, Department of Medicine and Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA. barry.massie@med.va.gov
Fabi
Mary Rose
MR
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors