Final answer:
Sacubitril/Valsartan, Beta-blockers, and ACE inhibitors are the three drugs used in heart failure that have significantly reduced mortality rates and improved patient outcomes. These drugs work by modifying the underlying pathophysiology of heart failure, leading to improved heart efficiency and reduction of symptoms.
Step-by-step explanation:
The three drugs used in heart failure that have life-altering effects on mortality are Sacubitril/Valsartan, Beta-blockers, and ACE inhibitors. These medications have been shown to significantly reduce mortality and improve outcomes in patients with heart failure. Sacubitril/Valsartan, a combination drug comprising an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) and a neprilysin inhibitor, offers a new mechanism of action that is different from the traditional heart failure medications. Beta-blockers, such as metoprolol, work by blocking the effects of the hormone epinephrine, leading to a decrease in heart rate and blood pressure. ACE inhibitors, for example lisinopril, help to relax blood vessels and reduce blood pressure, improving the efficiency of the heart.
These medications are chosen based on their ability to affect the pathophysiology of heart failure positively, unlike other drugs such as amlodipine (calcium channel blocker) or digoxin, which do not significantly alter long-term mortality in heart failure patients. It is noteworthy that certain diuretics like spironolactone, which is an aldosterone antagonist, have also been shown to improve survival in heart failure patients, particularly those with severe symptoms or after a recent heart failure exacerbation.