Management of heart failure with current perspectives

Abstract

Heart failure is defined as a pathophysiological state in which an abnormality of cardiac function is responsible for the failure of the heart to pump blood at a rate commensurate with the requirements of the metabolising tissues and/or to be able to do so only from an elevated filling pressure.' This abnormality in cardiac function is reflected by the occurrence of exercise intolerance. Although heart failure is known for a long time in medical history, this condition is still associated with high morbidity and mortality. Various studies have demonstrated around 50% mortality rate over 2-5 years or an annual mortality rate of about 25% in patients with left ventricular dysfunction.2'3 In addition, repeated hospital-isation for treatment of worsening heart failure has placed a severe strain on the health care system. In this article, the preventive and treatment strategies currently available for the management of heart failure will be discussed.