ACC/AHA guideline update: treatment of heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction.
Heart failure (HF) affects approximately 5 million persons in the United States each year. HF is predominantly a disease of the elderly: Approximately 80% of patients hospitalized with HF are older than age 65. Approximately one-half of older adult patients with CHF have a decreased ejection fraction. Elderly patients with HF and a reduced LVEF have a higher mortality than elderly patients with HF with a normal LVEF. Despite numerous excellent studies showing the efficacy of appropriate drugs in reducing mortality in patients with HF and a reduced LVEF, these medications are underutilized in the treatment of HF. This article discusses the latest guidelines from the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association for the treatment of patients with HF and a reduced LVEF.
Aronow
Wilbert S
WS
Department of medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, USA.
D000368:Aged; D002303:Cardiac Output, Low / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000517:prevention & control; D015444:Exercise; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology
D002317:Cardiovascular Agents