title: The challenge of treating congestion in advanced heart failure.
abstract: Volume overload is a common manifestation of heart failure decompensation. Interaction between impaired renal and heart function constitutes an important pathophysiologic mechanism that leads to congestion. In addition to improving symptoms and volume status, reduction of rehospitalization rates, maintenance of renal function and improvement of survival are all important goals of every therapeutic strategy. Currently, the use of diuretics, vasodilators, inotropes and ultrafiltration, together with investigational agents such as oral vasopressin antagonists and adenosine A1-receptor antagonists, constitute the main therapeutic options for the congested heart failure patient.
authors.affiliation: The Third Cardiology Department, University of Athens, Medical School, 67 M Asias Street, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Bonios
authors.forename: John V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Terrovitis
authors.forename: Elisavet
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kaldara
authors.forename: Argirios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ntalianis
authors.forename: John N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Nanas
mesh_terms: D058916:Adenosine A1 Receptor Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D065092:Antidiuretic Hormone Receptor Antagonists; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D010359:Patient Readmission; D013534:Survival; D014462:Ultrafiltration / Q000379:methods*; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D058916:Adenosine A1 Receptor Antagonists; D065092:Antidiuretic Hormone Receptor Antagonists; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D004232:Diuretics; D014665:Vasodilator Agents