New evidence for improved survival in chronic heart failure

Chronic heart failure is a common clinical syndrome with high associated mortality and morbidity. Recent advances in therapy for the condition with vasodilators and, in particular, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, have led to hopes for improvement in survival. Several large scale studies examining the role of vasodilators have reported over the last few years, and the role of vasodilators in the treatment and prevention of chronic heart failure is being delineated. There is new hope for patients with symptomatic heart failure; symptoms can be alleviated and prognosis improved. Increasingly, it appears as if there is a role for drug therapy in preventing the onset of chronic heart failure. In this paper, we examine the results of these studies and of some smaller studies in order to discuss the implications for current therapy and future research.