Drugs for chronic heart failure

Article Abstract:

Chronic heart failure is treated with a variety of drugs including digitalis, diuretics, angiotensin converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, vasodilators and beta blockers. Digitalis has been used for more than 200 years to treat heart failure, but tests have only recently shown how useful it is. The best dosage is still not known. Diuretics ease fluid retention and thus relieve symptoms of heart failure, but they do not stop disease progression. ACE inhibitors are the recommended treatment for heart failure resulting from dysfunction of the left ventricle. These drugs, including captopril and enalapril, improve symptoms of heart failure and make exercise easier and may slow disease progression and prolong life. Vasodilators may be beneficial to patients who cannot take ACE inhibitors. Beta-blockers are not often used to treat patients with heart failure because they cause the heart rate and strength of contractions to slow.

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Beta-blockers for heart failure

Article Abstract:

Several beta blockers may be beneficial for patients with heart failure. Sold under the trade name Zebeta, bisoprolol is a beta(sub 1)-selective blocker. Carvedilol is a non-selective beta blocker with alpha-1 blocking activity sold under the trade name Coreg. Metoprolol is a beta(sub 1)-selective sold under the trade name Toprol. These drugs may worsen heart failure symptoms and should probably be restricted to patients with mild or moderate failure.

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Drugs for chronic heart failure

Article Abstract:

Combination drug regimens are custom tailored to the needs of a patient with heart failure. For example, left ventricular dysfunction may require ACE inhibitors. Diuretics relieve fluid retention in many patients, while digoxin decreases symptoms. Some patients benefit from beta-blockers to prevent rapid progression of heart failure. The dosage recommendations and common side effects for each class of drugs are included.

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