Pharmacological therapy for chronic heart failure

Overview

Pharmacotherapy of chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is based on convincing evidence of both, the efficacy and the safety of drugs we are using. This evidence was obtained in big and carefully controlled randomised morbidity/mortality trials; therefore we are talking about evidence-based medicine. The basis for the pharmacological treatment is inhibition of pathologically long-term activated neurohumoral systems, mainly of the sympatoadrenal one by betablockers as well as of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone one by ACE inhibitors/sartans and by mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists. The new dual inhibitor sacubitril/valsartan should be considered as more effective substitute of ACE inhibitors/sartans in all stabilised patients. Addition of ivabradin could also be usefull in indicated patients. The role of digoxin had diminished much. At present it is used especially for rate control in heart failure patients with atrial tachyfibrillation. All symptomatic patients should be treated by diuretics. The treatment of heart failure is very complex. The pharmacotherapy has to be complemented by relevant lifestyle changes and in selected patients also by devices and/or surgical therapy including heart transplantation.

Key words:

betablockers – chronic heart failure – ivabradin – pharmacotherapy – RAAS inhibitors – sacubitril/valsartan