title: [The best of cardiac failure in 2006].
abstract: This year, several studies performed were justified by the increasing importance of diastolic dysfunction, while the systolic dysfunction remains stable. Its prognosis, previously considered as benign, is similar to heart failure due to systolic dysfunction. Studies are difficult in this field and we are often satisfied by imperfect results: PEP CHF, limited by the enrollment issue, showed only a trend for a beneficial effect of ACE-inhibitors. However the study can be considered as significant if only limited to the first year of follow-up, which can be justified. The second major field of research is resynchronization therapy: echocardiographic studies keep on providing asynchrony criteria. The benefit is greater in case of less extended fibrosis, and if the heart disease is non-ischemic, and if the paced zone does not contain fibrosis. Finally, a promising study on the interest of left ventricular discharge by a long-term circulatory assistance in case of severe systolic dysfunction should be cited.
authors.affiliation: Hôpital Bichat, service de cardiologie, Paris. guillaume.jondeau@apr.aphp.fr
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jondeau
mesh_terms: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002309:Cardiology / Q000639:trends; D047548:Defibrillators; D004452:Echocardiography; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors