title: Treatment of heart failure with abnormal left ventricular systolic function in the elderly.
abstract: This article summarizes the four stages of heart failure (HF) as defined by the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association and discusses the treatments for elderly patients with HF and abnormal left ventricular systolic function. The article explains the important role of diuretics, the first-line drugs in the treatment of older patients with HF and volume overload. Other treatments described include angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin-receptor blockers, beta-blockers, aldosterone antagonists, isosorbide dinitrate plus hydralazine, digoxin, and calcium channel blockers. The article explains the role each of these plays and reports on studies that have examined and compared various treatments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Westchester Medical Center, New York Medical College, Macy Pavilion, Room 138, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA. WSAronow@aol.com
authors.forename: Wilbert S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Aronow
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D004232:Diuretics