Oral heart failure medications: an update for home health clinicians.
Heart failure in the United States is a growing epidemic, with approximately 550,000 new cases per year. An increasing number of patients are treated at home with drugs that require a working knowledge of both the syndrome and the various therapeutic agents in use. New understanding of the syndrome has led to a paradigm shift from treating signs and symptoms to increasing long-term survival. This article focuses on the syndrome as it relates to common agents prescribed for the patient in the home setting.
Cheek
Dennis J
DJ
Texas Christian University, Harris College of Nursing and Health Sciences & School of Nurse Anesthesia, TCU Box 298620, Fort Worth, Texas 76129, USA. d.cheek@tcu.edu
Sherrod
Melissa M
MM
Graulty
Roger
R
Hawkins
Johnathon
J
D000284:Administration, Oral; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000145:classification / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D017211:Treatment Failure
D002316:Cardiotonic Agents