Losartan in Decompensated Heart Failure

The dual blockade of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and an angiotensin-receptor blocker used together in heart failure patients has been demonstrated to be beneficial. However, the dual inhibition has not been studied during heart failure decompensation or even when low cardiac output is present. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of add-on therapy with angiotensin receptor blocker on plasma B-type natriuretic peptide levels and hemodynamic measurements in heart failure patients with low cardiac output during hospitalization for decompensation. This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.