The potassium-sparing diuretic spironolactone (Aldactone) has been demonstrated to prolong survival and improve heart failure (HF) symptoms by
a. its diuretic effects.
b. blocking receptors for aldosterone.
c. reducing venous pressure.
d. reducing afterload.
B
Spironolactone prolongs survival in patients with HF primarily by blocking receptors for aldos-terone.
Spironolactone does cause minimal diuresis but with heart failure the priority action that assists in preventing worsening of the heart failure is the aldosterone blocking.
Spironolactone does not reduce afterload, and it does not reduce venous pressure enough to pro-long survival, because it stimulates only minimal diuresis.
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