A REVIEW OF CURRENT DRUG THERAPY IN CHRONIC HEART FAILURE

Dr. Mohamed Ashraf*

ABSTRACT

Heart Failure (HF) is a complex clinical syndrome that can result from any structural or functional cardiac disorder that impairs the ability of the ventricle to fill with or eject blood. This is further subdivided into HF with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HFrEF) and HF with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (HFpEF) previously known as diastolic HF. HF may be caused by disease of the myocardium, pericardium, endocardium, heart valves, vessels, or by metabolic disorders. Most patients with HFrEF should be routinely treated with guideline directed medical therapy (GDMT) that includes an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) and a β-blocker. Selected patients should also receive loop diuretics, hydralazine/nitrates, or aldosterone antagonists. The benefits of these medications on slowing HF progression, reducing morbidity and mortality, and/or improving symptoms are clearly established, Digoxin is potentially beneficial in symptomatic patients with HFrEF already receiving optimal medical therapy to decrease HF hospitalizations. There is little clinical trial evidence to guide which treatment are optimal to use in HFrEF.

Keywords: Heart failure, Pharmacotherapy. Diuretics, ACEI &ARBs, Beta blocker, Role of pharmacist.