Losartan: the dose does it.
Modern drug therapy for chronic heart failure requires a multi-pathway approach. Consistent titration to recommended doses is frequently neglected, although this may imply lack of benefit from effective therapies. The randomized, double-blind Heart failure Endpoint evaluation with Angiotensin II Antagonist Losartan (HEAAL) study showed 150 mg of losartan to have favourable effects compared with the currently recommended dose of 50 mg per day. It was estimated that treatment with 150 mg instead of 50 mg per day losartan would prevent one primary event for every 31 patients treated for 4 years. This article highlights the findings of HEAAL and discusses them in light of current recommendations.
Doehner
Wolfram
W
Center for Stroke Research Berlin - CSB, Campus Virchow-Medical Center, Charité Medical School, 13353 Berlin, Germany. wolfram.doehner@charite.de
von Haehling
Stephan
S
Anker
Stefan D
SD