Document Detail


Refocus on diuretics in the treatment of heart failure.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  8521885     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Diuretics have long been accepted as the traditional first-line treatment of the patient with symptomatic heart failure whatever its aetiology or dysfunctional stage. Their acceptance in this role is based on the rapid improvement in congestive symptoms experienced by most patients, which is arguably greater than that induced by any other currently available anti-heart failure drug. This symptomatic efficacy and their universal clinical acceptance as first-step treatment for the patient with symptoms of heart failure has precluded formal examination of their impact on prognosis. Evidence from indirect studies suggests that when used alone they may not be able to prevent clinical deterioration, possibly due to excitation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. When such excitation is suppressed by concomitant administration of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, relief of congestive symptoms is enhanced and the morbidity and mortality risk of heart failure significantly reduced. Studies on the mechanisms of diuretic resistance have demonstrated the synergy of diuretic activity when low doses of diuretics acting at different sites of the nephron are used in combination. Diuretics remain the cornerstone of treatment for symptoms in congestive heart failure but their overall efficacy is substantially improved when combined with ACE inhibitors.
Authors:
S H Taylor
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Review    
Journal Detail:
Title:  European heart journal     Volume:  16 Suppl F     ISSN:  0195-668X     ISO Abbreviation:  Eur. Heart J.     Publication Date:  1995 Jul 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  1996-01-24     Completed Date:  1996-01-24     Revised Date:  2007-11-15    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  8006263     Medline TA:  Eur Heart J     Country:  ENGLAND    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  7-15     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Aberford Court, West Yorkshire, UK.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / adverse effects,  therapeutic use
Diuretics / adverse effects,  therapeutic use*
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Drug Administration Schedule
Drug Therapy, Combination
Heart Failure / drug therapy*,  physiopathology
Hemodynamics / drug effects*,  physiology
Humans
Prognosis
Renin-Angiotensin System / drug effects,  physiology
Treatment Outcome
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; 0/Diuretics

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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