| abstract |
Use of a cortisol antagonist for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of heart failure, provided that the cortisol antagonist is not clonidine. The cortisol antagonist may be a cortisol synthesis inhibitor such as ketoconazole or a derivative thereof. A combination preparation for simultaneous, separate or sequential use in treating heart failure or for improving cardiac function and reducing exercise intolerance, comprising (a) a cortisol antagonist and (b) a second medicament that is effective for treating heart failure selected from the group consisting of diuretics, vasodilators, inotropic drugs, an ACE inhibitor, and an angiotensin II antagonist, provided that the cortisol antagonist is not clonidine. |