Robert E. Hobbs, MD, The Kaufman Center for Heart Failure, Department of
Cardiology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA.
Guidelines for managing heart failure recommend angiotension-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, beta-blockers, diuretics, digoxin, and aldosterone antagonists as standard therapy in order to improve morbidity and mortality. Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are considered second-line agents for patients who are intolerant of ACE inhibitors due to cough or angioedema. Because ACE inhibitors do not completely block the formation of angiotensin II and aldosterone, add-on therapy with an ARB has been evaluated in several clinical trials. In general, the results were mixed. Combination therapy with an ACE inhibitor and an ARB may improve morbidity and probably mortality, but with an increased incidence of hypotension, hyperkalemia, and azotemia. This approach could be considered in patients who remain symptomatic despite optimal doses of standard agents.
Key words: angiotensin receptor blockers, ACE inhibitors, heart failure, vasodilators, hyperkalemia.
