Eligible for all 3 studies are men or women /> 18 years old with symptomatic CHF corresponding to NYHA class II-IV for/>4 weeks before
randomization.
Exclusion criteria: Important exclusion criteria for any of the studies include current serum-creatinine/> 265mmol/L (~>3 mg/dL); current
serum-potassium >/5.5 mmol/L (/>5.5 mEq/L) or a history of marked ACE inhibitor-induced hyperkalemia resulting in either a serumpotassium
greater than or equal to 6.0t mmol/L (/>6.0 mEq/L) or a life-threatening adverse event; known bilateral renal artery stenosis;
current symptomatic hypotension; persistent systolic or diastolic hypertension; stroke, acute myocardial infarction, or open heart surgery
within the last 4 weeks; previous heart transplant or heart transplant expected to be performed within the next 6 months; presence of any
noncardiac disease (eg, cancer) that is likely to significantly shorten life expectancy to less than 2 years.
Specific inclusion criteria: To randomize patients into the appropriate study, documentation of LVEF has to be performed by either contrast
ventriculography, radionuclide ventriculography, or quantitative echocardiography within the previous 6 months. The most recent
measurement should be used.
Study on ACE-1 intolerant patients
LVEF ~< 40% and no current treatment with an ACE inhibitor because of a history of intolerance to an ACE inhibitor defined as a decision of
the attending physician to discontinue therapy with the ACE inhibitor for an ACE-I-related adverse event including angioedema,
anaphylaxis, cough, symptomatic hypotension, renal dysfunction and/or other adverse events such as taste disturbance, neutropenia, rash, or
gastrointestinal upset.
Study in patients with LVEF 40% not treated with an ACE-inhibitor
The patients should have a history of hospitalization for a cardiac reason and no current treatment, or continued need for treatment, with an
ACE inhibitor.