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.

BACKGROUND

To investigate the role of persistent angiotensin activity despite angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor therapy in the progression of heart failure, the Valsartan Heart Failure Trial has been designed to investigate the effect of the angiotensin-receptor blocker, valsartan, on morbidity and mortality.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Nearly 5,000 patients with New York Heart Association classes II to IV heart failure, while receiving all standard therapy, are being randomized to treatment with valsartan, 160 mg twice daily, or placebo in a worldwide study. Follow-up will be continued until 906 deaths have been recorded. Additional end points will include the need for hospitalization, other major morbid events, quality--of life measurement, changes in neurohormone levels, and changes in left ventricular size and function. Substudies will explore exercise tolerance, arrhythmias, and magnetic resonance imaging.

CONCLUSION

This study should help establish the role of angiotensin-receptor blockade in the treatment of heart failure.