A historical survey is presented of mortality clinical trials focussed on the inhibition of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system on different levels in patients with chronic heart failure. The first study, CONSENSUS, was published in 1987 and showed that the ACE-inhibitor enalapril clearly reduced mortality in severe heart failure compared with placebo. This was followed by studies with beta blockers, angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers, blockers of mineralocorticoid receptors, and direct renin inhibitors. A recent study, PARADIGM, comparing dual inhibitor of neprilysin and antiotensin II receptor (LCZ 696) with enalapril, was terminated prematurely for a significant effect of inhibiting neprilysin and valsartan. (C) 2018 The Czech Society of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier Sp. z o.o. All rights reserved.