Therapeutische Umschau. Revue thérapeutique
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The treatment of congestive heart failure focuses on three steps: 1. Elimination of the precipitating cause or mechanism, and/or treatment of the underlying disease respectively. 2. Treatment of the failing heart syndrome itself. ⋯ Here amiodarone is the drug of choice today if beta blockers do not suffice. Prophylactic anticoagulation is indicated in all cases NYHA III and IV, with large hearts already in II. Future developments may include new inotropes, the ANP-system, and cytokines, as well as gene therapy for correction of myocardial phenotype change.