Recommendations for the treatment of heart failure. What's new?

Abstract

Treatment escalation of chronic systolic heart failure depends on left ventricular function and symptoms of the patients. In symptomatic patients with severely reduced left ventricular function (ejection fraction a parts per thousand currency signaEuro parts per thousand 30 %), the following therapeutic approaches are recommended: (1) angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (angiotensin receptor blocker in case of ACE inhibitor intolerance); (2) beta-blockers; (3) mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists; (4) diuretics in case of signs and symptoms of congestion; (5) digitalis, in particular in patients with atrial fibrillation; (6) ivabradine in patients with sinus rhythm and a heart rate a parts per thousand yenaEuro parts per thousand 75/min; (7) an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD); (8) in case of left bundle branch block or wide QRS complex, cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT; in most cases in combination with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator); (9) intravenous administration of iron in case of iron deficiency; (10) exercise training should be strongly recommended in patients with stable heart failure.