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Endothelin antagonists and heart failure

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Abstract

Chronic heart failure (CHF) is characterized by impaired left ventricular function, increased peripheral and pulmonary vascular resistance, reduced exercise tolerance, and dyspnea. Despite considerable progress in the treatment of CHF, especially in targeting activated neurohum oral system s, mortality in these patients rem ains high. Therefore, new treatment approaches are warranted. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) plasm a levels are elevated in CHF and correlate with both hem odynam ic severity and sym ptom s. Plasm a levels of ET-1 are strong independent predictors of mortality in CHF. Combined ETA/B selective ETA receptor antagonists have been evalutated in patients with CHF show ing impressive hem odynam ic improvements. These results indicate that ET receptor antagonists indeed have a potential to improve hem odynam ics, sym ptom s, and potentially prognosis in patients with CHF, which still carries a high mortality.

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  1. Cardio Vascular Center, Cardiology, University Hospital, CH - 8091, Zürich, Switzerland

    Frank Ruschitzka MD

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Hürlimann, D., Enseleit, F., Noll, G. et al. Endothelin antagonists and heart failure. Current Science Inc 4, 85–92 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11906-002-0058-6

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