VALSARTAN IN HEART-FAILURE PATIENTS PREVIOUSLY UNTREATED WITH AN ACE-INHIBITOR

Objective: To evaluate the effect on cardiac hemodynamic parameters of valsartan in patients with chronic stable congestive heart failure pr eviously untreated with ACE inhibitors. Methods: After a 2 to 4 week r un-in period, 116 adult outpatients were randomized to receive valsart an 40, 80 or 160 mg twice daily, the ACE inhibitor lisinopril 5/10 mg once daily, or placebo. At baseline and after 28 days of treatment, ca rdiac hemodynamic parameters were measured. Tolerability was assessed by adverse events and by any changes in systolic or diastolic blood pr essure, body weight, heart rate, and routine laboratory parameters. Re sults: For the 12 hour time point (trough), all doses of valsartan red uced mean pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (statistically significan t for valsartan 40 mg and 160 mg), decreased systemic vascular resista nce (statistically significant for all three valsartan doses and for l isinopril at peak and trough), and increased cardiac output (statistic ally significant for all three valsartan doses at peak, and for 80 and 160 mg at trough). There were no clinically relevant effects on any s afety parameters. Conclusions: Valsartan has beneficial effects on car diac hemodynamics, and is generally well tolerated in patients with co ngestive heart failure not taking ACE inhibitors. (C) 1998 Elsevier Sc ience Ireland Ltd.