Cor Vasa 2008, 50(6):259-267 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2008.083

Management of chronic heart failure

Jiří Vítovec¹, Jindřich Špinar²

¹ I. interní kardioangiologická klinika, Fakultní nemocnice u sv. Anny

² Interní kardiologická klinika, Fakulní nemocnice Brno, Lékařská fakulta Masarykovy univerzity, Brno, Česká republika

The approach to the patient with cardiac insufficiency has changed markedly over the past decade. Current management is focused not only on modulating symptoms of dyspnea and fatigue but, primarily, on modulating the incidence and progression of heart failure and reducing mortality. Most therapeutic strategies today are based on the results of large randomized studies, which have demonstrated that the therapeutic approach in question is beneficial for the patient, either by extending their lives and/or improving their quality of life. In addition to the impressive advances made in drug therapy, the prognosis of patients has been largely affected by the introduction of cardiac resynchronization therapy and implantable defibrillators into clinical practice. Likewise, patients with heart failure are more often indicated for revascularization procedures; those meeting indication criteria are eligible for treatment using left-heart assist devices, elimination methods and, last but not least, heart transplantation.

Keywords: Heart failure; Drug therapy; Resynchronization therapy; Implantable defibrillators; Elimination methods

Published: June 1, 2008  Show citation