title: Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists for heart failure.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) antagonists are indicated in systolic heart failure, they are underprescribed in patients with appropriate indications for their prescription and often used in those in whom the evidence for probable benefit is scant. The rate of adverse events in practice has exceeded that foreshadowed by randomized controlled trials (RCTs). With the recent publication of the landmark therapeutic trial (EMPHASIS), it is timely to review the appropriate use of these agents in heart failure.
  
  
  METHODS
  This review addresses the pathophysiological importance of MR activation in heart failure and summarizes pivotal RCTs of MR antagonists in heart failure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MR antagonism reduces mortality and morbidity in heart failure with reduced systolic function in severe chronic disease, in heart failure complicating myocardial infarction and also in those with impaired systolic function (but only mild symptoms). Evidence for benefits in a significant proportion of 'real-life' patients with heart failure, including those with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction, is lacking. MR antagonism is an important part of the pharmaceutical armamentarium in managing heart failure but must be prescribed with careful case selection, taking note of the evidence of where risks are acceptable and benefits are likely.
authors.affiliation: Cardioendocrine Research Group, University of Otago, Department of Medicine, PO Box 4345, Christchurch, New Zealand. mark.richards@cdhb.govt.nz
authors.forename: Arthur Mark
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Richards
mesh_terms: D000450:Aldosterone / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D000077545:Eplerenone; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D000451:Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013148:Spironolactone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000451:Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists; D013148:Spironolactone; D000450:Aldosterone; D000077545:Eplerenone