Rationale for angiotensin II receptor blocker therapy in chronic heart failure.
Inhibiting the synthesis of angiotensin II (Ang II) by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor treatment has long been established as the recommended therapy for heart failure (HF). As ACE inhibitors are only partially effective in blocking the formation of Ang II, additional treatment with selective Ang II receptor blockers (ARBs) promise additional benefits in patients with HF. This hypothesis is currently being evaluated in Val-HeFT, a large-scale, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the effects of adding the highly selective ARB valsartan to usual therapy (diuretics, digoxin, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors) for HF treatment.
Cohn
J N
JN
University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000502:physiology; D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000187:drug effects; D013777:Tetrazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014633:Valine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068756:Valsartan
D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; D013777:Tetrazoles; D000804:Angiotensin II; D000068756:Valsartan; D014633:Valine