title: Drug treatment for chronic systolic heart failure.
abstract: Drug treatment of chronic systolic heart failure usually includes angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, or an angiotensin II receptor blocker, and a beta blocker, as prognostic benefit of these agents has been demonstrated in a large body of clinical trials. Depending on the stage of the disease and concomitant factors, an aldosterone antagonist and/or a digitalis glycoside may provide additional benefit. Most patients also receive a diuretic for symptomatic relief. Conversely, some drugs may precipitate or aggravate chronic systolic heart failure.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital Tuebingen, Otfried-Müller-Strasse 45, Tuebingen, Germany. klaus.moerike@med.uni-tuebingen.de
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mörike
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Sindermann
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; D004071:Digitalis Glycosides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D054143:Heart Failure, Systolic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000451:Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D004071:Digitalis Glycosides; D004232:Diuretics; D000451:Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists