Abstract

RODRIGUEZ PERON, José Miguel; MORA GONZALEZ, Salvador R.  and  MENENDEZ LOPEZ, José Rogelio. Neurohormonal activation in chronic congestive heart failure. Rev Cub Med Mil [online]. 2005, vol.34, n.3, pp. 0-0. ISSN 1561-3046.

Chronic heart failure is a clinical syndrome that appears lately in the natural evolution of different heart diseases. At present, multiple pathogenic mechanisms that have a prognostic importance and influence on their therapeutical management are recognized. The activation of a series of neurohormonal systems, such as the sympathetic nervous system and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system stand out among these mechanisms They participate in the perpetuation and progression of the disease and shadow the clinical evolution if they are not modulated or inhibited. The deleterious effects of these neurohormonal systems on the anatomy and cardiovascular function and the authentic vicious circle they generate are dealt with. They lead to an irreversible heart failure and to the increase of morbidity and mortality. The benefits of the drugs acting on these systems are also analyzed.

Keywords : Heart failure; neurohormonal mechanisms; angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors; cardiovascular mortality.