Comparison between Serum Aldosterone Levels in Class I-II and Class III-IV Functional Heart Failure Patients

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Aldosterone plays a role in the initiation and development of heart failure (HF). During congestive HF, the initial reduction in cardiac output stimulates the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, which in turn exerts additional stress on the heart.
 AIM: This research was aimed to explore the comparison of aldosterone levels between Class I-II functional HF and Class III-IV HF to optimize therapy in cases of HF.
 METHODS: The study design is an observational study with a cross-sectional approach. This study was conducted at the Department of Internal Medicine Dr. Moh Hoesin Hospital in Palembang, Indonesia. All patients diagnosed with functional III-IV functional HF disease based on symptoms clinical, physical, and electrocardiography (ECG) examination and history of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) treatment are willing to join the research by signing informed consent.
 RESULTS: There is no confounding variable that has a significantly different effect on the group I-II and III-IV functional HF groups. Aldosterone levels also did not show a significant difference between the group New York Heart Association (NYHA) I-II active HF group and the NYHA Class III-IV functional HF group (p = 0.445).
 CONCLUSION: Serum aldosterone levels in patients with Class I-II functional HF and those with Class III-IV functional HF who consumed ACEIs or ARBs were not significantly different.