This Article Free Full Text (Free PDF) Free References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Anand, K. Articles by Mohiuddin, S. M Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Anand, K. Articles by Mohiuddin, S. M Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Review: Aldosterone Inhibition Reduces the Risk of Sudden Cardiac Death in Patients with Heart Failure

Department of Internal Medicine

Aryan N Mooss

Division of Cardiology, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, USA

Syed M Mohiuddin

Division of Cardiology, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, USA, smm{at}cardiac.creighton.edu

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) accounts for over 450,000 deaths annually in the USA. Sudden death is estimated to account for approximately 50% of all deaths from cardiovascular causes. Total cardiac mortality has decreased from 728,115 in 1989 to 719,456 in 1999 but the percentage of deaths that are sudden has actually increased from 38% to 47%. Prevention of SCD in patients with risk factors is a high priority for public health professionals. Aldosterone has been shown to be associated with myocardial inflammation, endothelial dysfunction and fibrosis. There is evidence from clinical trials suggesting the endothelial dysfunction and fibrosis. There is evidence from clinical trials suggesting role of aldosterone inhibition in prevention of SCD. We reviewed the potential mechanisms and discuss the clinical implications of Randomised ALdactone Evaluation Study (RALES) and Eplerenone Neurohormonal Efficacy and Survival Study (EPHESUS). The use of aldosterone receptor blockers had an overall effect of 21% risk reduction in SCD. Appropriate monitoring and counselling is essential while using either of the aldosterone inhibitors.

Key Words: Aldosterone • Sudden death • Sudden cardiac death • Ventricular arrhythmias • Renin-angiotensin aldosterone system • Aldosterone blocker • Review

Journal of Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System, Vol. 7, No. 1, 15-19 (2006)
DOI: 10.3317/jraas.2006.001


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				E. Ritz and C. Wanner The Challenge of Sudden Death in Dialysis Patients Clin. J. Am. Soc. Nephrol., May 1, 2008; 3(3): 920 - 929. [Full Text] [PDF]