Chronic heart failure. Examining consensus recommendations for patient management.

In the mid 1990s, various organizations published guidelines for the management of chronic heart failure. Subsequent advances in pharmacologic treatment, however, warranted the release of recommendations that accounted for the new developments. Hence the publication in 1999 of the "Consensus recommendations for the management of chronic heart failure." Although there are measures patients can take to help prevent development of heart failure, the recommendations focus primarily on pharmacologic treatment of left ventricular systolic dysfunction. The discussion includes examination of the role of diuretics, ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, cardiac glycosides, as well as alternate agents such as angiotensin II receptor blockers. All of these agents can be used to help achieve a key management goal: decrease disease progression and thereby decrease the risk of hospitalization and death.