Role of vasodilator therapy in congestive heart failure. Effects on mortality

Congestive heart failure is associated with a considerable reduction in survival with only about 50% of patients alive within 5 years of its diagnosis. Recent trials have demonstrated that vasodilator therapy can improve survival in this condition. Agents that have been shown to be effective in well-designed double-blind clinical trials include the combination of hydralazine-isosorbide dinitrate (in V-HeFT) and the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (in SOLVD, SAVE, and CONSENSUS).