Drug treatment of heart failure

A large number of studies in recent years have shown that in the development of heart failure, long-term hyperenhancement of the neurological and hormonal systems is an important cause of the progressive deterioration of chronic heart failure. The application of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-I), angiotensin II receptor (AT1) antagonists, beta-blockers and aldosterone receptor antagonist Androgel can improve myocardial function and shrink the heart. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors are currently the most fundamental and basic drugs for the treatment of chronic heart failure, and are currently one of the most important drugs that can improve patients’ quality of life and prolong the survival of heart failure patients. They are effective not only in the treatment of clinical heart failure but also in asymptomatic heart failure. It should be used in small doses and gradually increased to the maximum tolerated dose or target dose, without adjusting the dose according to the improvement of symptoms or not. The target dose recommended by the Society of Cardiology is 25-50 mg three times a day for captopril, 5-10 mg twice a day for enalapril, and 4 mg once a day for perindopril, and if hypotension occurs during the course of ACE-I dose increase, diuretics should be reduced or other vasodilators such as nitrates that have no value in heart failure should be discontinued. Angiotensin II receptor (AT1) antagonists are as effective as ACE-I in the treatment of heart failure, with fewer side effects. For those who have side effects and cannot tolerate ACEI, angiotensin II receptor (AT1) antagonists can be used instead, commonly used drugs: valsartan capsules (Dewan) 80mg Qd; Irbesartan tablets (Ping, Ambovy) 75mg ~ 150mg Qd. β-blockers In recent years, as the mechanism of heart failure progression has been studied in depth, it is recognized that long-term sympathetic-adrenal system over-activation is detrimental to the progression of heart failure. The use of beta-blockers should be started only when the symptoms of heart failure are largely controlled, and the dose should be increased approximately every item week according to the condition, reaching the required dosage at 6~8 weeks. The effect will not appear until 2 to 3 months after the drug is administered. If the symptoms of heart failure worsen during the course of use, the dose should be withheld or slightly reduced and the dosage of diuretics and ACE-I should be increased. Attention should also be paid to whether there are any contraindications to the use of beta-blockers in patients with chronic heart failure. Beta-blockers have no immediate benefit in the treatment of heart failure. The benefit in the treatment of heart failure is due to their ability to block myocardial damage from sympathetic-adrenal hyperactivity. Antiseptic is an aldosterone receptor antagonist: it has its own special place in the treatment of heart failure. Aldosterone plays an important role in the pathogenesis of heart failure. Antiseptic significantly reduces morbidity and mortality. Small doses of Antiseptic are safe in combination with ACE-I as well as collaterals diuretics and generally do not cause hyperkalemia. Loop diuretics: are indicated for all patients with symptomatic heart failure. Diuretics should be used in combination with ACE-I. The combination has a synergistic effect in the treatment of heart failure and can reduce side effects. The purpose of diuretics is mainly to control water and sodium retention in heart failure and reduce the preload of the heart. Once the edema subsides, they can be used for a long time with the minimum effective maintenance dose. Potassium-conserving diuretics are more effective than potassium salt supplementation in correcting hypokalemia. Digoxin: Digitalis is a traditional positive inotropic agent. Digitalis analogs do not develop resistance, improve symptoms, and present high quality of life and exercise tolerance. High doses of digoxin are not required for the treatment of heart failure. Digoxin can be used in adults with symptoms of heart failure despite the use of ACEI, diuretics and receptor blockers at a regular dosage of 0.125 mgQd.