Gender-Based Differences in Heart Failure Hospitalizations Among Patients With Heart Failure Treated With Spironolactone

Aldosterone antagonists or mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) are used as therapeutic agents for the management of HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Gender-related differences have been described in the regulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), which is at the core of the pathophysiology of HF. Regarding gender-related differences in the use of MRAs, less is known about the effects of androgens on the RAAS, even though studies have suggested that androgens may increase the RAAS pathway. There are conflicting results because many clinical trials were not specifically designed to investigate gender differences.