Pharmacologic therapy for New York Heart Association class IV heart failure.

ABSTRACT

As the incidence of heart failure increases, the number of patients with advanced heart failure is anticipated to grow. Substantial progress in the treatment of heart failure has been achieved over the past few decades. Several classes of medications have been studied and found effective, including beta-blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers, aldosterone antagonists, vasodilators, digoxin, and inotropes. The evidence base for the use of these medications in the treatment of patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class IV heart failure is reviewed.