[Prognosis of heart failure--value of drug therapy].
During the last decade medical treatment of congestive heart failure has made impressive strides. Several studies have proven that ACE-inhibitors improve symptoms and decrease mortality in patients with severe heart failure. ACE-inhibitors have also been demonstrated to improve prognosis in patients with mild to moderate symptoms of heart failure as well as left ventricular dysfunction. However, long-term medical treatment of severe heart failure is only palliative. Despite treatment with high doses of ACE-inhibitors, 1-year mortality of patients with severe heart failure is as high as 36%. Therefore, at present, cardiac transplantation remains the only alternative treatment for patients with end-stage congestive heart failure.
Felix
S B
SB
Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I, Charité, Berlin.
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D016027:Heart Transplantation; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents