title: Contemporary medical management of systolic heart failure.
abstract: Pharmacological therapy of systolic left ventricular dysfunction has evolved over the past 3 decades. Current therapy is focused primarily on the regulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone axis and sympathetic nervous system. Additional targets of pharmacotherapy include vasoconstriction, impaired nitric oxide metabolism, inflammation and improving myocardial function. As therapies in chronic systolic heart failure have evolved beyond diuretics and digoxin, so too has mortality improved. Future directions in the management of heart failure include cell-based and genetic therapy, and further refinement of current therapy through genetics.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Institute, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY 10029, USA. ajith.nair@mountsinai.org
authors.forename: Ajith P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Nair
authors.forename: Tendoh
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Timoh
authors.forename: Valentin
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Fuster
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*; D054143:Heart Failure, Systolic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors