Low dose spironolactone alleviates cardiac remolding in patients with NYHA daass I - II heart failure

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of spironolactone in treatment NYHA (New York Heart Association) class Ⅰ - Ⅱ heart failure patients. Methods Eighty eight patients with NYHA class Ⅰ - Ⅱ heart failure were randomized to sprionolactone or placebo groups. Patients were assessed by echocardiography and 6-minute walking test (6MWT) ,plasma aldosterone and NT-proBNP were measured before and 6 months after treatment; serum potassium and creatinine were monitored through the study. Results The E/A and E/E' in spironolactone group were significantly lower than those of control group (1.2±0.7 vs. 1.7±0.6, P=0.007;15.2±2.3vs. 17.7±3.0, P=0.000). No differences were observed in left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)between two groups after treatment. Left ventricular mass index (LVMI) in spironolactone group decreased after theatment [(117 ±27) g/m2 vs. (112 ± 19) g/m2,P = 0.044]. Plasma aldosterone level in spironolactone group after treatment was significantly lower than that of control group [ ( 157 ± 16) ng/L vs.( 165 ± 16) ng/L, P =0. 021 ]. Although there were no differences in plasma NT-proBNP level between two groups after treatment, it decreased significantly comparing with that of before treatment ( P = 0. 000). No differences were observed in serum potassium and creatinine between two groups after treatment. However serum potassium and creatinine in spironolactone group increased significantly after treatment [ ( 83 ± 18 )pmol/Lvs. (87 ± 22) μmol/L, P =0.047; (4.4 ±0.4) mmoL/L vs. (4.5 ±0.6) mmol/L, P =0. 012]. Conclusion Spironolactone can alleviate cardiac remolding and diastolic function in NYHA class Ⅰ - Ⅱ heart failure patients. Key words: Heart failure, congestive;  Spironolactone;  Therapy