title: Pharmacologic and surgical interventions to improve functional capacity in heart failure.
abstract: Heart failure (HF) is a clinical syndrome of breathlessness, lower extremity swelling, fatigue, and exercise intolerance affecting a large portion of the population worldwide, and associated with premature death. Despite improvement in the management of HF, many patients remain unable to complete activities of daily living without experiencing exertional symptoms. Although prevention of death in patients with HF is imperative, treatment of symptoms and improving functional capacity are equally important goals. This article discusses treatments (medical and surgical) associated with improved functional capacity in HF.
authors.affiliation: VCU Pauley Heart Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1200 East Broad Street, Box 980281, Richmond, VA 23298, USA. Electronic address: aabbate@vcu.edu.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abbate
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, 410 North 12th Street, Box 980533, Richmond, VA 23298, USA.
authors.forename: Benjamin W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Van Tassell
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, College of Humanities and Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1200 East Marshall Street, Box 980419, Richmond, VA 23298, USA.
authors.forename: Justin M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Canada
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, 410 North 12th Street, Box 980533, Richmond, VA 23298, USA.
authors.forename: Dave L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Dixon
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1919 West Taylor Street, 454 AHSB, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
authors.forename: Ross A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Arena
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Corso della Repubblica 79, Latina 04100, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Biondi-Zoccai
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005080:Exercise Test; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D016276:Ventricular Function / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D002316:Cardiotonic Agents
keywords: Device; Drugs; Functional capacity; Heart failure; Surgery; Treatments