Effects of Amlodipine in the Management of Chronic Heart Failure

Patients with congestive heart failure are usually treated with a combination of an ACE inhibitor (or an AT1 blocking agent), a diuretic and a beta-blocker. However, some patients remain symptomatic despite an optimal treatment with these drugs. In patients who also have coronary heart disease, nitrates or some calcium-channel blockers could help to relieve symptoms. Therefore, the aim of our study is to evaluate the additional benefit induced by a second generation calcium-channel blocker, amlodipine, in patients with chronic heart failure who remain symptomatic despite an optimal treatment.