Čes. slov. farm. 2024, 73(4):216-221 | DOI: 10.36290/csf.2024.039

Pharmacotherapy of chronic heart failure - essential summary for pharmacists

Zdeněk Monhart

Interní oddělení a urgentní příjem, Nemocnice Znojmo

Lékařská fakulta Masarykovy univerzity, Brno

Heart failure is a severe and life-threatening condition with significant morbidity and mortality, a reduction in functional capacity and quality of life, and, importantly, heart failure is a substantial social and economic burden. The latest significant advances in therapy have established the recommended pharmacotherapy for patients with heart failure with reduced left ventricular systolic function with fourkey medication classes in each patient: renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors (ACE inhibitors, sartans, or sacubitril/valsartan), SGLT2 inhibitors (gliflozins), beta-blockers, and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, with diuretics added in cases of fluid retention. Current guidelines also recommend the the rapid initiation and titration of guidelines directed medical therapy. . For heart failure with preserved left ventricular systolic function, gliflozins are now the cornerstone od therapy, with the addition of other drug classes mentioned above. Management of heart failure associated comorbidities is an important part of relevant treatment. The reimbursement conditions can vary based on different types of heart failure can vary, and the sequence of medication initiation differs.; Current guidelines significantly innovate the approach to the initiation and titration of guidelines directed medical therapy. Understanding the current treatment strategy for different types of heart failure is important not only for prescribing physicians but also for pharmacists.

Keywords: heart failure, pharmacotherapy, guidelines.

Accepted: December 9, 2024; Published: January 1, 2025  Show citation