Korean Circ J.  2002 Dec;32(12):1039-1045. 10.4070/kcj.2002.32.12.1039.

Role of Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers in the Treatment of Congestive Heart Failure

• Jeon ES

• KMID: 1858725
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4070/kcj.2002.32.12.1039

Abstract

Pharmacotherapy for the treatment of heart failure has advanced considerably in recent years, and clinical trials have demonstrated the favorable long-term effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) and beta-blockers on the morbidity and mortality. Although the current guidelines recommend ACEI and beta-blockers as standard therapy for heart failure, as they have demonstrated benefits in terms of mortality, only one third of patients with heart failure are receiving both classes of drug due to concern over their adverse effects. The benefit of ACEI has been attributed largely to blockade of angiotensin II production, but also to the accumulation of bradykinin. The accumulation of bradykinin however, has been implicated as contributing to adverse effects, such as a dry cough, associated with ACEI treatment, and has also been suggested to result in prejunctional norepinephine release. Recently, many clinical trials have shown that angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) had similar effect on the mortality and morbidity of patients with heart failure. The side effects, notably the cough, are significantly less than with ACE inhibitors. ARBs could also be recommended for patients who can not tolerate ACE inhibitors for symptomatic treatment. In combination with ACEI, ARBs may improve the symptoms of heart failure, and reduce hospitalizations due to heart failure deterioration. Whether concomitant beta-blockade negatively affects the effect of ARB will require further evaluation. In this paper, recent large clinical trials of ARBs therapy in heart failure, and the ongoing clinical trials, were reviewed for the recommendation of the optimal conditions for ARBs treatment in heart failures.

Keyword

Heart failure, congestive; Angiotensin II receptor; Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors

MeSH Terms

Angiotensin II*
Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists*
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
Angiotensins*
Bradykinin
Cough
Drug Therapy
Estrogens, Conjugated (USP)*
Heart
Heart Failure*
Hospitalization
Humans
Mortality
Receptors, Angiotensin*
Angiotensin II
Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
Angiotensins
Bradykinin
Estrogens, Conjugated (USP)
Receptors, Angiotensin