Interv Akut Kardiol. 2010;9(5):258-263

Pharmacotherapy of an acute heart failure - current status and outlook for the future

Tomáš Janota

3. interní klinika Všeobecné fakultní nemocnice, 1. LF UK, Praha

A new onset heart failure or a decompensation of chronic heart failure belong to most frequent reasons of hospitalization at age over

65, moreover, hospitalizations with very high mortality. Main target of therapy is rapid relief from symptoms and optimisation of hemodynamic

status with minimum adverse events aiming for a positive long term outcome. Unfortunately, evidenced medical approaches

fulfilling these requirements are still rare. Standard therapy including diuretics, vasodilators and inotropes face a lot of limitations.

Effectiveness of new therapeutic perspectives awaits confirmation and new data on efficacy of standard medical approaches have to

be taken into account, too. This overview of the current pharmacotherapy follows on the Guidelines of the Czech Society of Cardiology

2006 and the European Society of Cardiology guidelines 2008.

Keywords: acute heart failure, acute decompensation of chronic heart failure, pharmacotherapy

Published: November 30, 2010  Show citation