The role of vasodilators in managing congestive heart failure.
Vasodilators are gaining importance in management of congestive heart failure. The short-acting varieties are often helpful in severe or refractory cases, and several agents show promise for long-term therapy. An understanding of the chain of events that occurs in congestive heart failure and of the corrective hemodynamic effects of the different vasodilators is essential for proper use of these agents.
D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004071:Digitalis Glycosides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D006830:Hydralazine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009200:Myocardial Contraction; D005996:Nitroglycerin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009599:Nitroprusside / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010646:Phentolamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013318:Stroke Volume; D014655:Vascular Resistance; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D004071:Digitalis Glycosides; D004232:Diuretics; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D009599:Nitroprusside; D006830:Hydralazine; D005996:Nitroglycerin; D010646:Phentolamine