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Pharmacotherapy for Heart Failure with Left Ventricular Dysfunction: Beyond Angiotensin‐Converting Enzyme Inhibitors and β‐Blockers
Author(s) -
Norgard Nicholas B.,
Stark Jennifer E.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
pharmacotherapy: the journal of human pharmacology and drug therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.227
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1875-9114
pISSN - 0277-0008
DOI - 10.1592/phco.28.7.920
Subject(s) - heart failure , medicine , tolerability , cardiology , pharmacotherapy , isosorbide dinitrate , angiotensin converting enzyme , ace inhibitor , hydralazine , isosorbide mononitrate , intensive care medicine , adverse effect , pharmacology , blood pressure
Angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and β‐blockers make up the cornerstone of therapy for patients with heart failure involving left ventricular dysfunction. These drug classes have been proven to decrease morbidity and mortality in patients with heart failure. Unfortunately, many patients remain symptomatic and experience disease progression despite taking both an ACE inhibitor and a β‐blocker. Others may be unable to tolerate one or both of these agents. In recent years, several other drug classes have been shown to provide additional morbidity and mortality benefits in patients with heart failure. These include angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), aldosterone antagonists, and the combination of isosorbide dinitrate plus hydralazine. To select the most appropriate drug therapy for patients with heart failure, clinicians should consider results from clinical trials in specific patient populations, adverse‐event profiles, tolerability, cost, and dosing regimens.