Abstract
There has been a recent revival of interest in aldosterone receptor antagonists for the treatment of chronic heart failure. This was largely triggered by fresh insights into the role of aldosterone in a number of key pathophysiological processes, including fibrosis and remodeling, inflammation, and the potentiation of catecholamine effects. The therapeutic efficacy of spironolactone (Aldactone®, Pfizer) in severe chronic heart failure was established by the Randomized Aldactone Evaluation Study, but hormonal side effects (gynecomastia) associated with the drug posed a problem. More recently, the Eplerenone Post-Acute Myocardial Infarction Heart Failure Efficacy and Survival Study has provided firm support for the use of eplerenone (Inspra™, Pfizer) in heart failure following acute myocardial infarction in addition to neurohormonal blockade with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers and β-blockers. This strategy can be expected to benefit both mortality and morbidity. Due to the fact that eplerenone is a selective aldosterone receptor antagonist, it does not cause troublesome hormonal side effects. This is an important feature of the drug that is likely to help maintain compliance.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
