Management of chronic heart failure: what do recent clinical trials teach us?
Though understanding and development of new therapies for heart failure (HF) have increased dramatically in recent years, the condition still takes a huge toll in terms of both morbidity and mortality and it is essential to continue with the quest for more effective HF treatments. Clinical trials provide the most precise scientific data regarding efficacy of HF therapies. Over the past 2 decades, about 100 large-scale clinical trials have significantly impacted treatment practices with respect to HF patients. The latest have shown benefit in the use of certain beta-blockers, aldosterone-receptor blockers, and the implantation of biventricular pacing-cardioverter defibrillator devices, generally in conjunction with an aggressive medical therapy regimen. This information should be integrated into existing guidelines for HF patient treatment as the search for greater efficacy in controlling and reversing this disease state continues.
Young
James B
JB
Kaufman Center for Heart Failure, Section of Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplant Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans