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Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Induction and Phenotyping of Acute Right Heart Failure in a Large Animal Model of Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension
Published on: March 17, 2022
Therapy for acute heart failure syndromes
Sarah M Donlan1, Erin Quattromani, Peter S Pang
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, 259 East Erie Street, Suite 100, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
Pharmacologic management for acute heart failure syndromes remains largely unchanged. Traditional therapies like nitrates and diuretics are mainstays, with inotropes used for shock or low-output states, informed by recent data.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Acute heart failure syndromes (AHFS) management has seen limited evolution over 15 years.
- Nitrates and loop diuretics are the primary treatments for AHFS.
- Inotropes are typically reserved for patients in shock or with advanced low-output states.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current pharmacologic therapies for AHFS.
- To provide insights from recent clinical trials and registry data on AHFS management.
- To highlight the enduring role of traditional therapies in AHFS.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on AHFS pharmacologic management.
- Analysis of recent clinical trial outcomes related to AHFS therapies.
- Examination of registry data for insights into real-world AHFS treatment patterns.
Main Results:
- Traditional therapies (nitrates, loop diuretics) continue to be the cornerstone of AHFS treatment.
- The indications for inotropic agents in AHFS remain focused on severe presentations like shock.
- Recent data reinforce the established therapeutic approaches rather than introducing novel mainstays.
Conclusions:
- The pharmacologic approach to AHFS is largely consistent with historical practices.
- Nitrates and diuretics remain essential for managing acute heart failure.
- Evidence from recent studies supports the continued use of established therapies in AHFS.
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