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The HF epidemic: the need for new treatment strategies

Washington VAMC, 50 Irving Street, NW, Washington DC, USA, peter.carson@ med.va.gov

The incidence of heart failure is increasing, particularly in older patients. Clinical trials often do not reflect community practice where patients are older and have more co-morbid conditions. Therapeutic agents need to be at least neutral in their effects on these other conditions. Current therapy in heart failure includes angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, beta-blockers and diuretics, with advanced heart failure patients receiving spironolactone and possibly digitalis. Ongoing clinical trials are testing more effective inhibition of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) with highly selective angiotensin II (Ang II) receptor blockers (ARBs) such as valsartan. Future trials should study diverse racial groups and the elderly, particularly those with preserved systolic function. These should ideally be large multicentre studies with internal substudies to examine mechanisms of heart failure.

Key Words: congestive heart failure • ACE inhibitor • Ang II receptor blocker • valsartan

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Journal of Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System, Vol. 1, No. 2 suppl, S32-S34 (2000)
DOI: 10.3317/jraas.2000.053


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This Article Abstract Free Full Text (Free PDF) Free 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 Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Carson, P. E Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Carson, P. E Social Bookmarking                         What's this?