Cor Vasa 2004, 45(4):171-176
The role of carvedilol in heart failure. Translating findings into clinical practice
- Oddělení intenzivní péče, Klinika kardiologie, Institut klinické a experimentální medicíny, Praha, Česká republika
The significance of heart failure has recently been on the increase, particularly with respect to the broadening of the diagnosis and its unsatisfactory management. Beta-blockers have been recognized, and established themselves, as the mainstay in the treatment of heart failure, and are an important addition to diuretics and renin-angiotensin convertase inhibitors. However, extending the range of indications is often associated with unjustified concerns. Among the beta-blocker class of drugs, carvedilol seems to be the key player today.
The review provides the main findings from the literature in an effort to translate them into clinical practice. Carvedilol significantly improves the fate of patients with heart failure, whatever its etiology, with a relatively broad range of interventions discussed in more detail in the text. Consistent with a variety of guidelines, carvedilol should be the most sought for beta-blocker for the management of heart failure, even advanced heart failure.
Keywords: Heart failure; Carvedilol; Left ventricular dysfunction; Mortality
Published: April 1, 2004 Show citation