[ARB II in chronic heart failure. Coincidences and divergences. Class effect?]

Although it is possible to suggest that the ACE inhibitor may have a certain class effect in regards to the benefits observed in the treatment of chronic heart failure, it does not seem reasonable that the same can be assumed in the case of ARB II. Morbidity-mortality studies in chronic heart failure have only been conducted with three of the seven ARB II presently commercialized in our country. These are losartan (ELITE II), valsartan (Val-HeFT) and candesartan (CHARM). The three studies have demonstrated the utility of these drugs, although with different nuances. In these clinical comments, we review the evidence available, stressing what effects could be common to all the ARB II, such as the prevention of diabetes or atrial fibrillation and what effects may only be attributable to some of these, at least up to now. However, new information of the already finished studies and some still on-going clinical trials may help us to know the effects of the ARB II in this disease more and better.