Heart failure: evaluation and treatment of patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction

Article Abstract:

The American Geriatrics Society presents guidelines for diagnosing and treating heart failure. Patients who have had a heart attack should be treated with ACE inhibitors even if they are asymptomatic. All symptomatic patients should be evaluated with echocardiography or radionuclide ventriculography. Exercise and diet are important and initial drug therapy can include diuretics, ACE inhibitors, nitrates and digoxin. Those with documented coronary artery disease may benefit from revascularization.

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A matched-cohort study of health services utilization and financial outcomes for a heart failure disease-management program in elderly patients

Article Abstract:

The utilization and financial outcomes of a telephonic nursing disease-management program in elderly patients with heart failure are examined. It is concluded that a commercially delivered heart failure disease-management program significantly reduces hospitalizations, emergency department visits and skilled nursing facility days.

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Exercise training as a therapy for chronic heart failure: can older people benefit?

Article Abstract:

Examination of research on the use of exercise to treat patients with chronic heart failure shows that exercise therapy will also benefit patients over 65.

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