[Evidence-based drug therapy for heart failure-an update]

Abstract

Chronic heart failure affects millions of people worldwide and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Because of steadily increasing ageing populations and improved survival rates after myocardial infarction, the incidence of chronic heart failure is rising. As acute decompensated heart failure is one of the leading causes for hospitalization in Germany, heart failure imposes a huge economic burden on its health care system. Guideline directed therapy is important to improve prognosis. In the following, we give an overview about novel heart failure clinical trial results and point to important comorbidities.

Keywords: Comorbidity; Guidelines; Health care systems; Heart diseases; Mortality.