The drug, spironolactone, cheaply available by prescription in Australia under the trade name Aldactone, is being hailed by international experts as a breakthrough in the treatment of heart failure. The Aldactone study, held in 15 countries, was rushed into publication in the New England Journal of Medicine this week. Australian experts, including the Heart Foundation of Australia, said yesterday that the drug, until now used to treat a build-up of fluid in the body, offered hope for our ageing population. The foundation's medical director, Professor Andrew Tonkin, said it would be a helpful addition to the few treatments available for heart failure.
Heart failure costs the Australian health system hundreds of millions of dollars each year.
The condition, which affects about 13 per cent of the Australian population aged over 60, occurs when the heart becomes inefficient at pumping blood due to factors including heart attacks, high blood pressure or coronary artery disease. The study showed that spironolactone could reduce the risk of death due to heart failure by 30 per cent as well as reduce the incidence of hospitalisation by about 35 per cent. The study was discontinued early because it was considered unethical to continue giving half of the trial patients placebos. Spironolactone works by blocking the production of the hormone aldosterone. Professor Jennings said the drug, which had been tested at higher dosages in the past and not proved effective, would be available only through heart specialists and should be used cautiously.