Which drug class is listed as a treatment for congestive heart failure in addition to glycosides?

Which drug class is listed as a treatment for congestive heart failure in addition to glycosides?

• A. ACE inhibitors
• B. ARBs
• C. Diuretics
• D. Calcium channel blockers

Answer: (A)

Managing congestive heart failure involves counteracting the harmful neurohormonal activation that drives progression. ACE inhibitors block the enzyme that forms angiotensin II, leading to vasodilation, reduced aldosterone release, and decreased sodium and water retention. This lowers both afterload and preload and helps curb cardiac remodeling, which translates into better symptoms and improved survival for many patients. While glycosides (digoxin) can improve symptoms by increasing cardiac contractility, they don’t modify the disease process or long-term outcomes. Diuretics relieve fluid overload but don’t change prognosis, and certain calcium channel blockers can worsen systolic heart failure in some patients. ARBs are an alternative if ACE inhibitors aren’t tolerated, but the class commonly listed alongside glycosides for long-term management is ACE inhibitors.

Managing congestive heart failure involves counteracting the harmful neurohormonal activation that drives progression. ACE inhibitors block the enzyme that forms angiotensin II, leading to vasodilation, reduced aldosterone release, and decreased sodium and water retention. This lowers both afterload and preload and helps curb cardiac remodeling, which translates into better symptoms and improved survival for many patients. While glycosides (digoxin) can improve symptoms by increasing cardiac contractility, they don’t modify the disease process or long-term outcomes. Diuretics relieve fluid overload but don’t change prognosis, and certain calcium channel blockers can worsen systolic heart failure in some patients. ARBs are an alternative if ACE inhibitors aren’t tolerated, but the class commonly listed alongside glycosides for long-term management is ACE inhibitors.