Role of vasopressin antagonists in the management of acute decompensated heart failure

Curr Heart Fail Rep. 2005 Sep;2(3):131-9. doi: 10.1007/s11897-005-0021-3.

Abstract

Vasopressin antagonists are a class of neurohormonal antagonists with applications in both the short-term and long-term management of patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). The pharmacologic effects of vasopressin antagonists include changes in fluid balance and hemodynamics that may improve symptoms and outcomes in patients hospitalized with ADHF. With chronic therapy, vasopressin antagonists offer the potential to improve outcomes through a variety of mechanisms, including more effective treatment of congestion, preservation or improvement of renal function, or a reduction in the use of concomitant loop diuretic therapy. Several vasopressin antagonists are currently in advanced clinical trials for the treatment of ADHF, chronic stable heart failure, and hyponatremia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Antidiuretic Hormone Receptor Antagonists*
  • Azepines / therapeutic use*
  • Benzamides / therapeutic use*
  • Benzazepines / therapeutic use*
  • Heart Failure / blood
  • Heart Failure / drug therapy*
  • Heart Failure / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Pyrroles
  • Stroke Volume / drug effects
  • Tolvaptan
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vasoconstriction / drug effects
  • Vasopressins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Vasopressins / blood

Substances

  • Antidiuretic Hormone Receptor Antagonists
  • Azepines
  • Benzamides
  • Benzazepines
  • Pyrroles
  • Vasopressins
  • Tolvaptan
  • lixivaptan