Aldosterone-Receptor Blockers

[Rachelle]

I recently read an article in the Cleveland Clinic Heart-Advisor that talks about a new study to use aldosterone-receptor blockers (ARB) for LVH treatment. Specifically the newest ARB, eplerenone, will be monitored to see whether - and how fast - hypertrophy recedes. Does anyone know anything about this? Could this mean that they believe this medication could shrink the septum to a smaller size - maybe even back to normal?

[Reenie]

Can you give us a link? I'm not sure if this is something that may eventually help those with HCM or not. LVH and HCM are different diseases.

Reenie

[Rachelle]

Sure, here it is: http://heart-advisor.com/issues/6_8/features/23-1.html . In the article it's under the heading "Medications are Paramount". I didn't realize LVH was a seperate disease. Just thought it was a result of various diseases (i.e. HCM) which can cause the left ventricle to enlarge.

Thanks
Rachelle

[Reenie]

Darn. I can't read the article because I'm not a subscriber. Can you please copy and paste it here into this thread? I'm really interested in what they have to say. Thanks!

Reenie

[Rachelle]

The paragraph below is the one I was reading from the Heart-Advisor. Let me know your thoughts.

Medications are paramount
Treatment focuses on correcting the underlying problem — repairing or replacing a faulty valve or reducing high blood pressure. Blood pressure-lowering medications, like ACE inhibitors, make it possible to control hypertension aggressively and allow the LVH to regress. Recently, the Clinic has begun to study other medications, aldosterone-receptor blockers (ARBs), which appear to offer particular promise for LVH treatment. Researchers are preparing to monitor the effects of the newest ARB, eplerenone (Inspra), on patients to see whether — and how fast — hypertrophy recedes.

Thanks!
Rachelle

[Reenie]

I'm sure others will answer here, but I think this is referring to LVH due to high blood pressure. What happens is the heart has to work harder to pump when you have high blood pressure and it thickens due to the heavier work load. When the bp is controlled the muscle "regresses" to a more normal state. I think that this is a drug to help speed this process up. Hopefully one of our nurses or someone who knows more than I do will add their two cents worth. It would certainly be interesting if it could help an HCM heart.

Reenie

[shirleymahoney]

Reenie

I believe it is for LVH too which is different then we have because of the dissaray in the tissue, i wish but in time i believe we will have a cure we just have to keep the faith

Shirley

[Rachelle]

Thanks to both of you for clearing that up - that makes sense. I tend to get excited at the thought of living someday without this disease looming over my head.

Rachelle

[shirleymahoney]

Rachelle

Hi I see you are from Des moine Ia My Dads family is from Newton Ia he is part of the Guthrie clan from that way, his grandfather is buried there his name was Amos Guthrie and amos had some brothers Jacob and John And I have Been to the guthrie center there my husband drove for a trucking company in Cedar Rapids called West Side Transport, Ia seemed so peacful to me i really liked it

Shirley