Medical treatment of acute heart failure
Cohen Solal, A.; Tartière, J.M.; Chavelas, C.; Beauvais, F.; Logeart, D.
Annales de Cardiologie et D'angeiologie 53(4): 200-208
2004
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-3928 PMID: 15369316 Document Number: 577130
Medical treatment of acute decompensated heart failure has little changed in the last years, except with the advent of non-invasive ventilation. Doppler-echocardiography and BNP dosing have simplified the diagnostic approach and limited the need for invasion evaluation. Vasodilators remain probably underused whereas some doubts have emergency regarding the safety of positive inotropes. Analysis of the hemodynamic profile is mandatory for an optimal management of these patients. The next decade will be that of morbimortality trials in this common form of heart failure with severe prognosis.