The role of antidiuretic hormone in the pathophysiology and treatment of heart failure.
Heart failure (HF) is still one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Neurohormonal changes appear to play an important role in the development and continuation of HF. Among the mediators responsible for these changes, antidiuretic hormone (ADH) is probably the least known. However, elevated concentrations of ADH are frequently found in this syndrome and have prognostic value in addition to known biomarkers. Recent experimental studies and clinical trials have aroused interest in the possible benefits of ADH receptor antagonists. This article reviews the pathophysiological mechanisms of ADH in HF and the latest advances in ADH antagonism in the therapeutic management of HF.
Piçarra
Bruno Cordeiro
BC
Serviço de Cardiologia, Hospital do Espírito Santo, Evora, Portugal. bcpicarra@hotmail.com
Dionísio
Pedro
P
Jara
Antonio
A
D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D014667:Vasopressins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000502:physiology
D014667:Vasopressins