[Drug therapy of heart failure in the elderly]

Abstract

In the case of heart failure of any etiology, so common in the elderly, symptomatic treatment predominates; causal therapy is hardly ever possible. The aim of treatment is to improve myocardial contractility and influence secondary compensation mechanisms which, although associated with a favorable effect in the early stage, in the late stage lead to an unacceptable elevation of afterload and an overall uneconomical cardiac performance, thus producing a negative effect on cardiac failure and its prognosis. In contrast, suitable treatment improves the quality of the patient's life and prolongs life expectancy. In the aged, suitable therapy includes, where indicated, in particular digitalis (there is no alternative!), ACE-inhibitors and diuretics. The incidence and extent of adverse reactions and interactions in the elderly are greater than in the young and middle-aged patient.