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Published on: May 26, 2022

Role of the angiotensin II receptor blocker valsartan in heart failure

R L Webb1, M de Gasparo

  • 1Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Summit, New Jersey, USA; and.

Experimental and Clinical Cardiology
|April 30, 2010
PubMed

Insights

The renin-angiotensin system

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Research
  • Endocrinology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • The precise role of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in heart failure pathogenesis remains incompletely understood despite extensive research.
  • Angiotensin II is implicated as both a circulating and local hormone affecting heart tissue via receptor stimulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review preclinical data on angiotensin II's role in heart failure.
  • To analyze clinical trial evidence for RAS blockade in heart failure patients.
  • To identify remaining questions regarding RAS modulation and interacting systems.

Main Methods:

  • Review of preclinical studies on angiotensin II and its receptors in cardiac tissue.
  • Analysis of large-scale clinical trials evaluating angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers.
  • Examination of evidence for optimizing RAS blockade strategies.

Main Results:

  • Clinical trials demonstrate benefits of blocking the renin-angiotensin system in heart failure.
  • Angiotensin II receptor blockers offer a direct blockade pathway independent of angiotensin II generation.
  • Optimizing RAS blockade shows positive outcomes in heart failure management.

Conclusions:

  • While RAS blockade offers benefits in heart failure, further research is needed.
  • The roles of endothelin and bradykinins in heart failure require elucidation.
  • Understanding the crosstalk between different neurohormonal systems is crucial for comprehensive heart failure treatment.
Keywords:
Angiotensin IIAngiotensin II receptor blockerAngiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitorsApoptosisAtherosclerosisChymaseHeart failureHypertensionValsartan

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