by
iciclombard 01
| Jan 31, 2024
Heart failure, a chronic condition where the heart struggles to pump blood effectively, necessitates a multifaceted treatment approach. This complex condition demands a comprehensive strategy involving lifestyle modifications, medications, and, in severe cases, surgical interventions. The blogs provide valuable insights into the diverse heart failure treatment modalities available, offering a nuanced perspective on managing heart failure. The treatment landscape is dynamic, from medications targeting specific symptoms to surgical procedures addressing underlying issues.
Treatment of Heart Failure
Doctors use the following medications for heart failure treatment, including:
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors: It relaxes blood vessels, lowers blood pressure, improves blood flow, and decreases strain on the heart. Examples include enalapril (Vasotec) and lisinopril (Zestril).
- Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs): They provide benefits similar to ACE inhibitors and may be an option for those unable to tolerate ACE inhibitors. Examples include losartan (Cozaar) and valsartan (Diovan).
- Angiotensin receptor plus neprilysin inhibitors (ARNIs): It combines two blood pressure drugs, sacubitril-valsartan (Entresto), to treat heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.
- Beta-blockers: They slow heart rate, lower blood pressure, reduce heart failure symptoms, and enhance overall heart function. Examples include carvedilol (Coreg) and metoprolol (Lopressor).
- Diuretics: They increase urine production to prevent fluid buildup in the body and decrease fluid in the lungs. Examples include furosemide (Lasix) and spironolactone (Aldactone).
- Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors: Originally for diabetes, these medicines, like canagliflozin (Invokana), show effectiveness in heart failure treatment, reducing hospital stays and mortality risk.
- Digoxin (Lanoxin): It enhances the heart's pumping ability and slows the heartbeat. It's used for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and may be prescribed for those with atrial fibrillation.
- Hydralazine and isosorbide dinitrate (BiDil): It relaxes blood vessels and may be added to the treatment plan for severe heart failure symptoms.
- Vericiguat (Verquvo): An oral soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulator approved for chronic heart failure, reducing hospital stays and heart disease-related deaths.
- Positive inotropes: Administered intravenously in severe heart failure cases to improve the heart's pumping ability and maintain blood pressure.
- Potassium-sparing diuretics: Spironolactone (Aldactone) can preserve potassium levels.
Here are some surgeries that doctors recommend for heart failure treatment, including:
- Coronary bypass surgery: Addresses severely blocked arteries contributing to heart failure.
- Heart valve repair or replacement: Targets damaged heart valves causing heart failure.
- Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD): Monitors and corrects dangerous heart rhythms to prevent complications.
- Cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT): Coordinates lower heart chambers' pumping in people with asynchronous contractions.
- Ventricular assist device (VAD): Supports blood pumping and is often used as a bridge to heart transplant.
- Heart transplant: Reserved for severe cases where surgery and medications are ineffective, replacing the heart with a healthy donor organ.