The role of organic nitrates in the treatment of heart failure

Abstract

Nitrates have been widely used in the treatment of patients with chronic congestive heart failure. Although the use of these drugs has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, multiple studies have shown their favorable effects. Organic nitrates have been shown to have a beneficial effect on ischemia, hemodynamic profile, magnitude of a mitral regurgitation, endothelial function, and cardiac remodeling. These drugs, when used in combination with hydralazine, have improved exercise capacity and survival. Recent studies have shown that the use of nitrates in patients already treated with standard heart failure therapy, including angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, resulted in hemodynamic improvement, marked enhancement of exercise tolerance, reduction of left ventricular size, and augmentation of systolic function. These data suggest a role for organic nitrates as an adjunctive therapy to ACE inhibitors in patients with chronic heart failure and for nitrates in combination with hydralazine as an alternative treatment in patients who are intolerant to ACE inhibitors.