Sudden death in heart failure patients: effects of optimized medical therapy.
Although medical therapy, particularly with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, has been demonstrated to prolong life in patients with chronic heart failure, the effect of standard medical therapy on sudden unexpected death in patients with heart failure is less well understood. Recent clinical trials have provided new insights into this growing problem. The impact of modern medical therapy for heart failure, including ACE inhibitors, beta-adrenergic antagonists, digoxin, calcium channel antagonists, and antiarrhythmic interventions will be discussed.
Kao
W
W
Rush Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplant Program, Rush Medical College, Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois 60612, USA. wkao@rush.edu
Costanzo
M R
MR
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004077:Digoxin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D004077:Digoxin