What is the best medication for diastolic dysfunction?

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Last updated: February 6, 2025View editorial policy

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From the Research

Medications for Diastolic Dysfunction

The following medications have been studied for their effectiveness in treating diastolic dysfunction:

  • Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers, which have been shown to be effective in improving measures of diastolic function 1
  • Beta-blockers, which can improve left ventricular diastolic and long axis function when a significant heart rate reduction is achieved 2
  • Calcium channel blockers, which have shown some efficacy in improving indices of diastolic filling 1
  • Diuretics, which are recommended for symptomatic patients with heart failure and preserved left ventricular systolic function 3
  • Non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers, which are specified by the European Society of Cardiology as a type of therapy in diastolic heart failure 4

Study Findings

Several studies have investigated the effects of these medications on diastolic dysfunction:

  • The Irbesartan in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (I-PRESERVE) study and the Candesartan in Heart Failure: Assessment in Reduction of Mortality and Morbidity (CHARM-Preserved) trial failed to show improved morbidity and mortality with angiotensin receptor blockers 1
  • The Losartan Intervention For End-point Reduction in Hypertension (LIFE) Study showed reduced heart failure hospitalization in hypertensive patients with normal in-treatment diastolic function 1
  • A study on the effects of beta blockers on left ventricular diastolic function found that optimal heart rate reduction is important for improving diastolic function 2
  • A randomized prospective controlled study found that enalapril, bisoprolol, carvedilol, and irbesartan had different effects on parameters of diastolic function in patients with chronic heart failure 5

References

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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