The angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) valsartan [Diovan] is as effective as the ACE inhibitor captopril in the treatment of patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI), according to results from a major international study presented at the 76th Annual Scientific Sessions of the American Heart Association [Orlando, US; November 2003] and subsequently published in TheNEJM. The VALIANT (VALsartan In Acute myocardial iNfarcTion) study showed that valsartan was as effective as captopril, a current standard therapy, in reducing all-cause mortality, cardiovascular-related mortality, recurrent MI and heart failure."It appears that[valsartan]will be especially beneficial in producing the same cardiovascular benefits as ACE inhibitors, thereby providing patients and clinicians with an effective alternative,"said Dr Marc Pfeffer from Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, US, who presented the study results."As a result of VALIANT, today there exists two proven, effective therapies to preserve life after a heart attack".