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Published on: March 1, 2022
[Endothelin system and heart failure: a potential therapeutic target]
Manuel Vaz-da-Silva1, Cassiano Abreu-Lima
1Serviço de Cardiologia, Faculdade de Medicina do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
Insights
Neurohormonal activation, particularly the endothelin system, plays a key role in heart failure. Targeting this system offers a promising therapeutic strategy to improve patient outcomes and reduce mortality.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Pharmacology
Context:
- Neurohormonal activation is central to heart failure pathophysiology.
- The endothelin system is increasingly recognized for its significant role in heart failure manifestations.
- Current treatments for heart failure aim to mitigate neurohormonal dysregulation.
Purpose:
- To review the fundamental aspects of endothelin biology and its mechanisms.
- To elucidate the pathophysiological role of the endothelin system in heart failure.
- To discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting the endothelin system in heart failure management.
Summary:
- This review covers endothelin biology, molecular mechanisms, and its pathophysiological involvement in heart failure.
- It highlights the endothelin system's role in heart failure's complex mechanisms.
- Potential pharmacological interventions and clinical trial outcomes are presented.
Impact:
- Endothelin system modulation presents a novel therapeutic avenue for heart failure.
- Understanding endothelin's role can lead to improved treatment strategies for heart failure.
- Pharmacological targeting may reduce morbidity and mortality in heart failure patients.
Abstract:
Neurohormonal activation is a marker and one of the most important pathophysiologic aspects of heart failure. The hyperactivation and participation of the endothelin system in several manifestations of this syndrome have been widely documented in the last few years. These data support attempts to view the endothelin system as a potential pharmacological target in order to reduce the high morbidity and mortality associated with heart failure. This is a short review of the main aspects of endothelin biology, its mechanisms of action, including those at the molecular level, and its pathophysiological role in heart failure. Finally, the potential benefits of the pharmacological manipulation of the endothelin system as well as some results of clinical trials in this context will be presented.
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