Pharmacotherapy of chronic heart failure after the first decade of 21^st century

Czech version

Authors: J. Špinar ¹; J. Vítovec ²; L. Špinarová ²
Authors‘ workplace: Interní kardiologická klinika Lékařské fakulty MU a FN Brno, pracoviště Bohunice, přednosta prof. MUDr. Jindřich Špinar, CSc., FESC ¹; I. interní kardioangiologická klinika Lékařské fakulty MU a FN u sv. Anny Brno, přednosta prof. MUDr. Jiří Vítovec, CSc., FESC ²
Published in: Vnitř Lék 2011; 57(11): 959-965
Category: Birthday

Overview

We provide an overview of the main principles of pharmacological treatment of chronic heart failure. Chronic heart failure is considered to be an epidemic of the 21^st century; in the Czech Republic, around 200,000 persons suffer from this condition. Over the last decade, pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment of heart failure has undergone significant progress and new knowledge arises every year. Generally accepted pharmacological treatment steps include administration of ACE inhibitors, AII antagonists (ARB) or beta-blockers, discussions exists on an indication for digoxin, diuretics and lipid-lowering drugs as well as on the importance of ACE-I and ARB. The role of antiarrhythmics is unclear and 2009-2011 have brought about some completely new drug groups – I_fchannel blockers, factor Xa blockers, thrombin blockers and other agents.

Key words:
heart failure – ACE inhibitors – beta-blockers – digoxin – ivabradin

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