title: [Physiopathological basis of the treatment of heart failure].
abstract: Therapeutic advances have changed the mode of presentation of cardiac failure over the last decades: the main cause, nowadays, is myocardial ischaemia. The modern treatment of cardiac failure is based on relatively simple physiopathological mechanisms which take into account the different aspects of cardiac physiology: a pump, a muscle, a coronary circulation supplying oxygen to the myocardium, an automatic contraction. The concept of vasodilatation and the blocking of vasoconstrictive systems introduced during the 70s is the basis of modern treatment of cardiac failure which involves angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and, increasingly, betablockers. In the near future, with earlier treatment of cardiac failure, the stimulation of vasodilator systems could become a new therapeutic strategy. Early detection of ischaemia and its complications with the aim of limiting the loss of cardiac myocytes is a priority for slowing the progression of cardiac failure. The prevention of cardiac failure also depends on educating cardiologists to treat rapidly the factors predisposing to or prolonging episodes of even mild cardiac failure.
authors.affiliation: Fédération de cardiologie, hôpital Henri-Mondor, Creteil.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vinsonneau
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Su
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Benacerraf
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Darmon
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Duval-Moulin
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Crozatier
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Dubois-Randé
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Castaigne
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hittinger
mesh_terms: D002309:Cardiology / Q000639:trends; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006321:Heart / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D009206:Myocardium / Q000166:cytology; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D014665:Vasodilator Agents
vernacular_title: Bases physiopathologiques du traitement de l'insuffisance cardiaque.