title: [Therapy of chronic left heart failure].
abstract: Chronic heart failure is an increasingly frequent clinical syndrome, characterized by reduced physical performance, dyspnea and an adverse prognosis. It is associated with age, indicating that it will become more common. Diagnosis requires the characterization of cardiac dysfunction and a precise definition of the underlying cardiac disease. Treatment guidelines of the cardiac societies, which were updated 2005, recommend therapy with ACE-inhibitors, AT1 receptor antagonists, beta-blockers, aldosterone antagonists and digitalis. It is essential, however, to consider the individual circumstances such as underlying disease, age as well as the frequent complications and comorbidities.
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I, Herz- und Kreislaufzentrum der Universität Würzburg, Klinikstrasse 8, 97070, Würzburg, Germany. ertl_g@klinik.uni-wuerzburg.de
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ertl
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Angermann
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004071:Digitalis Glycosides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D000451:Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D004071:Digitalis Glycosides; D000451:Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists