Losartan possesses potential antiarrhythmogenic properties that may explain its previously reported ability to reduce mortality by 46% compared with captopril in chronic congestive heart failure.
Does losartan reduce mortality and arrhythmias in patients with ischemic heart disease or congestive heart failure?
This review highlights the potential antiarrhythmic properties of losartan and its role in reducing mortality in heart failure patients.
A large body of literature accumulated over the past several years supports the notion that inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system protects the heart and other target organs from hypertensive complications. Various studies have shown that angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors reduce morbidity and mortality in the setting of ischemic heart disease and/or congestive heart failure. The improvement in survival has been attributed in part to a significant decrease in the incidence of sudden deaths, possibly due to a decrease in complex arrhythmia episodes. Recently, the angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist losartan was shown to reduce mortality by 46% compared with captopril in older patients with chronic congestive heart failure. This paper briefly reviews the arrhythmogenic properties of angiotensin II and the possible pharmacologic mechanisms for the antiarrhythmogenic potential of losartan.
Gavras et al. (Mon,) conducted a review in Congestive heart failure and arrhythmias. Losartan vs. Captopril was evaluated. Losartan possesses potential antiarrhythmogenic properties that may explain its previously reported ability to reduce mortality by 46% compared with captopril in chronic congestive heart failure.