Review
Renin-angiotensin system blockade in the treatment of heart failure and the role of valsartan in this treatment
1Department of Cardiology, Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, İstanbul University; İstanbul-Turkey
Abstract
Heart failure which occurs due to various causes including primarily coronary artery diseases and hypertension is a syndrome with complex physiopathology and clinic that can impair patients’ quality of life or lead to death. However, it is well known that the activation of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has an important role in the physiopathology of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Therefore, suppression of this system for achieving a gain in the treatment of the disease has been among prominent concerns. In this review, the place of RAS suppressive drugs and valsartan, which is an angiotensin receptor blocker, in heart failure will be examined.
Keywords: heart failure, angiotensin receptor blockers, valsartan