Neuroendocrine activation in relation to left ventricular function in chronic severe congestive heart failure: A subgroup analysis from the cooperative north scandinavian enalapril survival study (CONSENSUS)

Left ventricular (LV) function and plasma levels of cardiovascular hormones were examined in patients with severe chronic congestive heart failure (CHF), randomized to placebo or enalapril, in addition to conventional therapy. M‐mode echocardiography and plasma hormone concentrations were available at baseline and after 6 weeks of treatment. There was a significant relationship between LV systolic function and levels of angiotensin‐II and norepinephrine. Enalapril increased LV fractional shortening (FS%) (13.3±5.6 to 15.4±5.8, p