Eplerenone in the treatment of chronic heart failure.

There has been a recent revival of interest in aldosterone receptor antagonists for the treatment of chronic heart failure. This was largely triggered by fresh insights into the role of aldosterone in a number of key pathophysiological processes, including fibrosis and remodeling, inflammation, and the potentiation of catecholamine effects. The therapeutic efficacy of spironolactone (Aldactone), Pfizer) in severe chronic heart failure was established by the Randomized Aldactone Evaluation Study, but hormonal side effects (gynecomastia) associated with the drug posed a problem. More recently, the Eplerenone Post-Acute Myocardial Infarction Heart Failure Efficacy and Survival Study has provided firm support for the use of eplerenone (Inspra, Pfizer) in heart failure following acute myocardial infarction in addition to neurohormonal blockade with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers and beta-blockers. This strategy can be expected to benefit both mortality and morbidity. Due to the fact that eplerenone is a selective aldosterone receptor antagonist, it does not cause troublesome hormonal side effects. This is an important feature of the drug that is likely to help maintain compliance.