Angiotensin i receptor blockers for heart failure
Fruhwald, F.M.; Kickenweiz, E.; Zweiker, R.; Klein, W.
Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift 151(7-8): 157-159
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 0043-5341 PMID: 11450163 Document Number: 537808
Angiotensin conversion enzyme inhibitors (ACE-inhibitors) have long been the only possibility to influence the renin angiotensin system (RAS) and its often fatal influences in heart failure. In the last few years specific blockers of the angiotensin 1 receptor (AT I blockers) offered a new possibility for this therapeutic target. In contrast to ACE inhibitors AT I blockers are relatively new and, therefore, few data on heart failure are available. The first head-to-head studies that compared AT I blockers and ACE-inhibitors and their effect on mortality did not show a reduced mortality in the AT I blocker groups. Based on the available data AT I blockers should be used in heart failure patients who are intolerant of ACE-inhibitors.