title: Treatment of heart failure.
abstract: Effective treatment of heart failure depends on a correct functional and aetiological diagnosis. In asymptomatic patients with cardiac dysfunction following myocardial infarction, treatment is directed to prevent recurrent infarction by aggressive lipid lowering with statins and antiplatelet drugs. Beta blockers are important to reduce sudden death. In symptomatic heart failure, clinical improvement is obtained by inhibition of the renin-angiotensin and sympathetic system. Angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors in combination with diuretics reduce morbidity and mortality caused by progression of the myocardial dysfunction and recurrent myocardial infarction. Drugs that activate the neurohormonal systems are clearly counteractive. Digitalis has a definite favourable effect on systems, and in patients with atrial fibrillation, but its effect on mortality is still unsettled. Beta blockers in routine treatment of symptomatic heart failure still remains controversial, but may benefit selected patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, National Hospital, University of Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kjekshus
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Swedberg
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D015996:Survival Rate; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D004232:Diuretics; D014665:Vasodilator Agents