Abstract

MUNOZ ARMAS, Simón. Paradoja actual de la insuficiencia cardíaca: prevalencia creciente a pesar de notables avances en el tratamiento. Gac Méd Caracas [online]. 2002, vol.110, n.4, pp.465-473. ISSN 0367-4762.

Heart failure is the only clinical heart condition that presently has an increasing prevalence and incidence. Paradoxically, this epidemiological observation occurs in a moment of important progress in the treatment of individual patients with heart failure. For many years, the treatment of heart failure was based on the use of digoxin and loop diuretics, as furosemide. Years ago it was demonstrated that activation of two neurohormonal systems (adrenergic and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system) play a central role in heart failure. On the basis of these findings, the guides for the treatment of heart failure, approved by the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association, published in 1995, include, as Class I indication: digoxin, loop diuretics, beta-adrenergic blockers and inhibitors of the enzyme that converts angiotensin I into angiotensin II. The alarming increase of the prevalence of heart failure and of death caused by heart failure has generated great efforts to promote research on treatment of this serious heart condition. This paper discusses an important group of new drugs and procedures which, because of their good results, are in advanced way of incorporation, as additional resources, to the drugs included in the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association Guidelines. Seven new therapeutic drugs or procedures are discussed. 1. Heart secreted peptides with potent natriuretic and vasodilator effect. 2. Vasopeptidase inhibitors. 3. Antagonists of endothelial products deleteriously activated in HF. 4. Myocardial sensitizers to the inotropic action of calcium. 5. Immunomodulators. 6. New antagonists to neurohormonal systems deleteriously activated in heart failure. 6. Implantation of electromechanical devices to correct ventricular asynchrony in patients with heart failure.