Heart failure (HF) is a chronic and progressive clinical syndrome resulting from structural or functional abnormalities of the heart. The most common symptoms and signs of HF are dyspnea, fatigue, pulmonary and peripheral congestion or edema and jugular vein distension. The prevalence of HF continuously increases due to improved treatment and reduced short-term mortality in patients with acute coronary syndromes, congenital heart disease, population aging and improved survival of patients with already developed heart failure by the widespread application of […]

Arterial hypertension is by far the biggest risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Thiocyanates, barbiturates, bromides and bismuth were tested in the treatment of arterial hypertension in the early 1940s. The use of these drugs was discontinued because they were proven ineffective and had several side effects. In the mid-1950s, ganglion blockers such as hexamethonium, pentolinium, mecamylamine and peripherally acting sympatholytic substances (guanethidine) were tested as treatment of arterial hypertension and were shown effective in reducing blood pressure, but little tolerated. […]