Heart failure prevention

Beta-1 receptor Heart increased heart rate and force of contraction Cardiac decompensation Hypertension Arrhythmia Angina pectoris Heart failure Prevention of reinfarction... 

ACE inhibitors can be administered with diuretics (qv), cardiac glycosides, -adrenoceptor blockers, and calcium channel blockers. Clinical trials indicate they are generally free from serious side effects. The effectiveness of enalapril, another ACE inhibitor, in preventing patient mortaUty in severe (Class IV) heart failure was investigated. In combination with conventional dmgs such as vasodilators and diuretics, a 40% reduction in mortaUty was observed after six months of treatment using 2.5—40 mg/d of enalapril (141). However, patients complain of cough, and occasionally rash and taste disturbances can occur. 

Diuretics are one of the dmg categories most frequendy prescribed. The principal uses of diuretics are for the treatment of hypertension, congestive heart failure, and mobilization of edema fluid in renal failure, fiver cirrhosis, and ascites. Other applications include the treatment of glaucoma and hypercalcemia, as well as the alkafinization of urine to prevent cystine and uric acid kidney stones. 

The PDE3 inhibitor, cilostazol, has been used as an antithrombotic agent and is currently being used in patients being treated for intermittent claudication. Cilostazol is also used for the prevention of restenosis after treatments such as angioplasty. Another PDE3 selective inhibitor, milrinone, has been used in the treatment of congestive heart failure. Milrinone also has been shown to increase the conductance of the CFTR transporter in vitro. 

Warfarin is used cautiously in patients with fever, heart failure, diarrhea, malignancy, hypertension, renal or hepatic disease, psychoses, or depression. Women of childbearing age must use a reliable contraceptive to prevent pregnancy. 

TH E PATIEN T WITH ED EM A. Fhtients with edema caused by heart failure or other causes are weighed daily or as ordered by the primary health care provider. A daily weight is taken to monitor fluid loss. Weight loss of about 2 lb/d is desirable to prevent dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. The nurse carefully measures and records the fluid intake and output every 8 hours. The critically ill patient or the patient with renal disease may require more frequent measurements of urinary output. The nurse obtains the blood pressure, pulse, and respiratory rate every 4 hours or as ordered by the primary health care provider. An acutely ill patient may require more frequent monitoring of the vital signs. 

Heart failure is more prevalent and associated with a worse prognosis in African-Americans compared to the general population.1 Unfortunately, deficiencies in disease prevention, detection, and access to treatment are well documented in minority populations. African-Americans and other races are underrepresented in clinical trials, compromising the extrapolation of results from these studies to ethnic subpopulations. The influence of race on efficacy and safety of medications used in HF treatment has received additional attention with... 

Although P-blockers should be avoided in patients with decompensated heart failure from left ventricular systolic dysfunction complicating an MI, clinical trial data suggest that it is safe to initiate P-blockers prior to hospital discharge in these patients once heart failure symptoms have resolved.64 These patients may actually benefit more than those without left ventricular dysfunction.65 In patients who cannot tolerate or have a contraindication to a P-blocker, a calcium channel blocker can be used to prevent anginal symptoms, but should not be used routinely in the absence of such symptoms.2,3,62... 

FIGURE 6-9. Decision algorithm for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation.27 Risk factors for stroke prior transient ischemic attack or stroke hypertension heart failure rheumatic heart valve disease prosthetic heart valve. Target International Normalized Ratio = 2.5 (range 2 to 3). 

Prolonged exposure to elevated GH and IGP-Is can lead to serious complications in patients with acromegaly. Aggressively manage comorbid conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, arrhythmias, coronary artery disease and heart failure to prevent vascular and neuropathic complications. It is critical to monitor patients indefinitely for management of the comorbidities associated with acromegaly8 (Table 43-4). 

Review any additional diagnostic tests to determine if treatment may be needed to prevent/minimize complications (e.g., emboli, congestive heart failure). 

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