Journal of cardiac failure
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Consistency of the beneficial effect of metoprolol succinate extended release across a wide range dose of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and digitalis.
The effects of beta-blockade with different extent of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) and digitalization are unknown. To assess the effect of metoprolol succinate controlled release/extended release (CR/XL) combined with high versus low doses of ACEI and digitalis, we analyzed data from The Metoprolol CR/XL Randomized Intervention Trial in Chronic Heart Failure (MERIT-HF) in which patients with heart failure and left ventricular ejection fraction < or =40% were randomized to metoprolol CR/XL versus placebo. ⋯ This analysis of MERIT-HF demonstrates consistent and similar improvement in outcome of patients receiving metoprolol CR/XL when combined with either a high or low dose of an ACEI or digitalis, or no digitalis at all. Thus regardless of ACEI and digitalis dose and whether patients are treated with digitalis or not, it is very important to add a beta-blocker to the existing heart failure therapy. beta-blockers should not be withheld until target doses of ACEI have been achieved.
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Structural remodeling of the left ventricle involves myocyte growth and matrix changes that result in chamber enlargement, contractile dysfunction and dyssynchrony. Clinical and experimental data document that these structural changes correlate with progressive worsening of the syndrome of heart failure, that the changes are preventable and reversible, and that a favorable clinical therapeutic response is associated with regression of remodeling. The growing evidence that structural remodeling represents the disease of heart failure has now fueled mechanical as well as pharmacologic approaches to inhibiting the remodeling.
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In chronic heart failure (CHF), changes in the extracellular space contribute to cardiac dysfunction. We aimed to determine whether aminoterminal-propeptide of type III procollagen (PIIINP), a marker of extracellular matrix turnover, might provide prognostic information in CHF patients. ⋯ In patients with CHF, PIIINP levels predict outcome independently of clinical status, hemodynamics and hormonal activation. PIIINP levels provide additional prognostic information to that of left ventricular function alone, suggesting that it may reflect more than cardiac extracellular matrix turnover.
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Endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels are elevated in congestive heart failure (CHF) in relation with the severity of pulmonary hypertension. We evaluated whether a reduced pulmonary ET-1 clearance could contribute to this elevation. ⋯ Pulmonary ET-1 clearance is reduced in CHF in relation with the severity of pulmonary hypertension. This reduced clearance does not significantly modulate plasma ET-1 levels. Whether this is only a marker of secondary pulmonary hypertension or could modulate pulmonary vascular tone will require further studies.
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Comparative Study
How prevalent is hyperkalemia and renal dysfunction during treatment with spironolactone in patients with congestive heart failure?
Treatment with spironolactone (SPL) is beneficial in patients with severe congestive heart failure (CHF). In the Randomized Aldactone Evaluation Study SPL was well tolerated, particularly with regard to renal function and serum K(+) levels. Our aim was to investigate whether the reported low frequency of adverse effects during SPL treatment in a heart failure study population could be confirmed in an unselected heart failure outpatient cohort and to identify potential predictors of harmful effects. ⋯ SPL adverse effects (impaired renal function, increase in serum K(+)) are much more prevalent in our elderly CHF patient population than previously reported. The recommendations from our study are that (1) particular caution is mandated in elderly patients with an LVEF <20%, (2) potassium supplementation should be discontinued, (3) changes in body weight should raise concern, and (4) a dose-adjustment of the concomitant conventional diuretic regime should be considered. Care should be given to the frequent monitoring of electrolytes and renal parameters.