Klin Farmakol Farm. 2005;19(1):27-39

PRESENT SITUATION AND PERSPECTIVES OF CHRONIC HEART FAILURE TREATMENT

prof. MUDr. Jan Bultas CSc

II. interní klinika kardiologie a angiologie 1. LF UK a VFN, Praha

Although a frequent and serious disease chronic heart failure, has been treated until recent times by methods known for hundreds of years. “Phlebotomy” is a method used in antique times and for example digitalis alkaloids were introduced into the treatment of heart failure more than two hundred years ago. Since the introduction of diuretics in mid-last century, our treatment procedures had stagnated and for a long time, there had been no possibility to alter unfavourable prognosis of patients. Only since the introduction of treatment aimed at maladapted regulatory mechanisms – renin, angiotensin and aldosterone system, combined with a sympathoadrenal system – we have been equipped with an effective means to decrease both complaints and mortality. The last decade has witnessed great development of new pharmacological procedures aimed at heart failure. New inotropics were introduced, let the example be calcium sensitizer levosimendan, and other inotropics are under development. There are also numerous innovations in the area of renin, angiotensin, aldosterone system inhibition: renin inhibitors, inhibitors of vasopeptidases, neutral endopeptidases or a new aldosterone receptor inhibitor. Finally, the introduction of aquaretics vasopresin receptor inhibitors shows promising in the diuretic treatment.

Keywords: Key words: chronic heart failure, pharmacotherapy, new treatment methods.

Published: January 1, 2006  Show citation