* Pharmacological Use of drugs in heart failure

By Ebtisam Al-thawab ~

Heart Failure Treatment

• There are multiple options for treating heart failure.

• Regular medications and lifestyle changes coupled with careful monitoring make up the first line of treatment.

• As the condition progresses, centers specializing in the treatment of heart failure can offer more advanced treatment options, such as Surgery

Regular MedicationsList of Common types of drugs used to treat heart failure :

• Angiotensin converting enzyme(ACE) inhibitors

• Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)

• Beta-blockers

• Digoxin

• Diuretics

• Blood vessel dilators

• Aldactone inhibitors

• Calcium channel blockers

• ASPIRIN

• Heart pump medication

Angiotensin converting enzyme(ACE) inhibitors

Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)

• blockers prevent this chemical from having any effects on the heart and blood vessels.

• Dilatation of Blood vessels >

This keeps blood pressure from rising

Beta-blockers

Digoxin

• Action• Increases the force of the heart's contractions, which

can be beneficial in heart failure and for irregular heartbeats.

• Uses• Used to relieve heart failure symptoms, especially

when the patient isn't responding to ACE inhibitors and diuretics.

• Also slows certain types of irregular heartbeat (arrhythmias), particularly atrial fibrillation.

Symptom = Edema

Diuretics

Calcium Channel blockers

Clot Formation

Clot Formation

ASPIRIN

• Decreases inflammation ,

• Inhibits blood clots ,

• Since clot formation may lead to heart attack , Aspirin Reduces the risk of death ,

References

• Drugs for treatment of chronic heart failure (2009). Treatment Guidelines From The Medical Letter, 7(83): 53–56

• Davidon's Principles and Practice of Medicine ; Churnchill Livingstone 24th Ed 2012

• Hensley, Frederick A., Martin Donald E., GravleeGlenn P., ed. A Practical Approach to Cardiac Anesthesia, 3rd ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Philadelphia, 2003.

External Links• http://www.webmd.com/heart/default.htm