Heart failure therapy in children.
The most common reason for heart failure in children is volume overload secondary to a left-to-right shunt. Therefore, an accurate diagnosis with identification of possible surgical or interventional reactions should be the first priority. Medical therapy is mainly based on diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, cardiac glycosides and beta-blockers. There are few prospective trials in pediatric cardiology, but the available data reach a similar conclusion to that of adults with heart failure. Diuretics are an important tool in patients with fluid retention, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors are helpful in patients with volume overload of the ventricles. Cardiac glycosides are still in use, but there is a trend toward primary use of diuretics. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and beta-blockers have been used successfully in the treatment of heart failure in children, but there are limited data on its efficacy.
Odland
Hans Henrik
HH
Barneklinikken, Rikshospitalet, 0027 Oslo, Norway. odland@rikshospitalet.no
Thaulow
Erik M D
EM
D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans
D002317:Cardiovascular Agents