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Updated: Apr 2, 2026

Lumped-Parameter and Finite Element Modeling of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction
Published on: February 13, 2021
Medical management of advanced heart failure
Anju Nohria1, Eldrin Lewis, Lynne Warner Stevenson
1Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis St, Tower 3-A, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Insights
Current advanced heart failure management relies on consensus, not trials. Optimizing existing therapies and exploring new ones are crucial for better patient outcomes and reduced rehospitalization.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Internal Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Advanced heart failure significantly contributes to morbidity and mortality.
- It is characterized by persistent limiting symptoms despite effective therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current medical therapy for advanced heart failure.
- To identify areas for systematic investigation in advanced heart failure management.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Best Evidence, Evidence-Based Medicine, and Cochrane Library (1980-2001).
- Inclusion of randomized controlled trials (≥150 patients) and other relevant clinical data.
- Data quality assessed by peer-reviewed publication or professional society guidelines.
Main Results:
- Management focuses on identifying and treating elevated filling pressures.
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and beta-adrenergic agents can slow progression but face titration challenges.
- Tailored medical regimens and heart failure management programs reduce rehospitalization; survival varies significantly with symptom severity.
Conclusions:
- Current advanced heart failure management is largely consensus-driven.
- There is a need for systematic investigation into novel therapies and optimization of existing ones.
Context:
Advanced heart failure, defined as persistence of limiting symptoms despite therapy with agents of proven efficacy, accounts for the majority of morbidity and mortality in heart failure.
Objective:
To review current medical therapy for advanced heart failure.
Data Sources:
We searched MEDLINE for all articles containing the term advanced heart failure that were published between 1980 and 2001; EMBASE was searched from 1987-1999, Best Evidence from 1991-1998, and Evidence-Based Medicine from 1995-1999. The Cochrane Library also was searched for critical reviews and meta-analyses of congestive heart failure.
Study Selection:
Randomized controlled trials of therapy for 150 patients or more were included if advanced heart failure was represented. Other common clinical situations were addressed from smaller trials as available, trials of milder heart failure, consensus guidelines, and both published and personal clinical experience.
Data Extraction:
Data quality was determined by publication in peer-reviewed literature or inclusion in professional society guidelines.
Data Synthesis:
A primary focus for care of advanced heart failure is ongoing identification and treatment of the elevated filling pressures that cause disabling symptoms. While angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and beta-adrenergic agents can slow disease progression and prolong survival, titration and tolerability often present challenges. Most patients are not eligible for surgical intervention but do benefit from a medical regimen tailored to individual clinical and hemodynamic profiles and from heart failure management programs that reduce rehospitalization. Survival ranges from 80% at 2 years for patients rendered free of congestion to less than 50% at 6 months for patients with refractory symptoms, in whom end-of-life options may include hospice care and inactivation of implantable defibrillators.
Conclusions:
Current management of advanced heart failure is based more on consensus than on randomized trials. Systematic investigation should address not only new therapies but also strategies for selecting and optimizing therapies already available.
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