Medical therapy for chronic heart failure

Lancet. 2011 Aug 20;378(9792):713-21. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(11)61038-6.

Abstract

Understanding of contemporary pharmacological therapy for chronic heart failure continues to evolve. In this Review, we discuss how findings from clinical trials have caused the roles of old therapies to be expanded and past treatment algorithms to be challenged. Several trials investigating preserved ejection fraction as a measure of heart failure had disappointing results, although important studies are in progress. Many novel therapeutic approaches for heart failure have emerged and are discussed in this review. The pharmacological treatments for heart failure continue to change, with many exciting possibilities for the future.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Cardiotonic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Chronic Disease
  • Heart Failure / drug therapy*
  • Heart Failure / physiopathology
  • Heart Failure, Systolic / drug therapy
  • Heart Rate
  • Humans
  • Stroke Volume
  • Vasodilator Agents / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Cardiotonic Agents
  • Vasodilator Agents