title: Fixed combination isosorbide dinitrate-hydralazine for nitric-oxide-enhancing therapy in heart failure.
abstract: The major advances in our understanding and management of heart failure (HF) in recent decades have not fully benefited all segments of our population. HF still represents a growing epidemic, especially for African-Americans, in whom the burden of HF is even greater. The recently reported beneficial effects of the fixed combination of isosorbide dinitrate and hydralazine (ISDN+HYD) in the African-American Heart Failure Trial (A-HeFT), has led to both the FDA approval of this agent and its endorsement by the latest HF guidelines. The properties of ISDN+HYD are well known as its components are mature agents, readily available in generic formulations that have been used for decades in other indications. However, fixed-dose ISDN+HYD represents the first drug to undergo targeted clinical development and to be approved for use in a specific ethnic group. As such, A-HeFT and the approval of ISDN+HYD represent landmark events that merit further scrutiny.
authors.affiliation: 350 East 79th Street, Apt. 9-C, New York, NY 10021, USA. josephafranciosa@aol.com
authors.forename: Joseph A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Franciosa
mesh_terms: D002303:Cardiac Output, Low / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006830:Hydralazine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D007548:Isosorbide Dinitrate / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D020030:Nitric Oxide Donors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D020030:Nitric Oxide Donors; C431665:isosorbide-hydralazine combination; D006830:Hydralazine; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D007548:Isosorbide Dinitrate