title: Evidence-based treatment of chronic heart failure.
abstract: The past two decades have seen a knowledge explosion in the field of cardiovascular diseases, in general, and in the understanding of chronic heart failure (HF) as a complex neurohumoral syndrome in particular. A new staging system for chronic HF has been developed within the last decade to facilitate the evidence-based prescription of medications and medical devices for each of its four stages. The burden of care for patients with chronic HF is substantially provided in primary care settings. Primary care physicians need to understand the underlying pathophysiology of chronic HF, the elements of its evaluation and treatment by stage, and when referral is necessary.
authors.affiliation: Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rosen
authors.forename: Matthew V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Decaro
authors.forename: Mark G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Graham
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; D002908:Chronic Disease; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable; D004071:Digitalis Glycosides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004338:Drug Combinations; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D015444:Exercise; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000145:classification / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D006830:Hydralazine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007548:Isosorbide Dinitrate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000451:Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D004071:Digitalis Glycosides; D004232:Diuretics; D004338:Drug Combinations; D000451:Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D006830:Hydralazine; D007548:Isosorbide Dinitrate