Pharmacologic therapies across the continuum of left ventricular dysfunction.
Neurohormonal activation and increased sympathetic stimulation are among the factors that have been linked to the development and progression of left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) and heart failure (HF) in post-myocardial infarction (MI) patients. Various available pharmacologic therapies can target these factors and improve many aspects of the disease, depending on the degree of LVD. The American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) guidelines recommend angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, beta-blockers, and aldosterone antagonists because of their proven favorable effects on symptoms, left ventricular function, cardiac remodeling, hospitalization rates, and survival. However, they are not being used in over two thirds of patients with post-MI LVD. This review illustrates the impact of these therapies on post-MI LVD patients using evidence from multiple clinical trials. In addition, current and emerging treatments for acute decompensated HF will be outlined.
Abraham
William T
WT
Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA. william.abraham@osumc.edu
Greenberg
Barry H
BH
Yancy
Clyde W
CW
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*; D006801:Humans; D000451:Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000451:Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists