Present and future pharmacotherapeutic agents in heart failure: An evolving paradigm

Melanie Madhani, Hannah Noordali, Michael Frenneaux, Brodie Loudon, Nicholas D. Gollop

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)
195 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Many conditions culminate in heart failure (HF), a multi-organ systemic syndrome with an intrinsically poor prognosis. Pharmacotherapeutic agents that correct neurohormonal dysregulation and haemodynamic instability have occupied the forefront of developments within the treatment of HF in the past. Indeed, multiple trials aimed to validate these agents in the 1980s and early 1990s, resulting in a large and robust evidence base supporting their use clinically. An established treatment paradigm now exists for the treatment of HF with reduced ejection fraction, but there have been very few notable developments in recent years. HF remains a significant health concern with an increasing incidence as the population ages. We may indeed be entering the surgical era for HF treatment, but these therapies remain expensive and inaccessible to many. Newer pharmacotherapeutic agents are slowly emerging, investigating alternative therapeutic targets, but with mixed results. Metabolic modulation and manipulation of the Nitrate/Nitrite/nitric oxide pathway have shown promise and could provide the answers to fill the therapeutic gap between medical interventions and surgery, but further definitive trials are warranted. We review the significant evidence base behind the current medical treatments for HFrEF, the physiology of metabolic impairment in HF and discuss two promising novel agents, perhexiline and nitrite.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1911-1924
JournalBritish Journal of Pharmacology
Volume173
Issue number12
Early online date6 May 2016
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2016

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