Rationale and design of the valsartan heart failure trial: A large multinational trial to assess the effects of valsartan, an angiotensin-receptor blocker, on morbidity and mortality in chronic congestive heart failure

摘要: Abstract Background: To investigate the role of persistent angiotensin activity despite angiotensinconverting enzyme inhibitor therapy in progression heart failure, Valsartan Heart Failure Trial has been designed to effect angiotensin-receptor blocker, valsartan, on morbidity and mortality. Methods Results: Nearly 5,000 patients with New York Association classes II IV while receiving all standard therapy, are being randomized treatment 160 mg twice daily, or placebo a worldwide study. Follow-up will be continued until 906 deaths have recorded. Additional end points include need for hospitalization, other major morbid events, quality-of-life measurement, changes neurohormone levels, left ventricular size function. Substudies explore exercise tolerance, arrhythmias, magnetic resonance imaging. Conclusion: This study should help establish blockade failure.