[Characteristics of the chronic heart failure in the elderly].
Chronic heart failure (CHF) in the elderly is a significant healthcare problem. Nearly half of CHF in this age group is diastolic heart failure with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction. However there is the limitation of the evidence-based therapy for this important group of patients. In this article, the treatments for the diastolic heart failure recommended in the ACC/AHA guidelines for the CHF (1998, 2001, 2005 versions) are described and common problems regarding the diagnosis and management of CHF in the elderly is also discussed. Furthermore, the recent topics about the treatment of diastolic heart failure are presented.
Tsuchimochi
Hidetsugu
H
Department of Internal Medicine, Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Center.