“New” treatment for chronic intractable congestive heart failure

Recent advances in cardiology

“…Initial use of these agents concentrated on reduction of peripheral venous tone (preload) to relieve symptoms of congestion in the lungs in patients with left ventricular failure. Although afterload undoubtedly declined, the value ofvasodilators as direct inhibitors of peripheral arterial resistance was not appreciated until some years later (Burch, Leon-Galindo and Cronvich, 1976). In the early 1970s with the advent of balloon counterpulsation, nitroprusside, nitrates and other agents, success was observed in the treatment of myocardial pump dysfunction secondary to myocardial infarction.…”