RT Book, Section A1 Panus, Peter C. A1 Jobst, Erin E. A1 Masters, Susan B. A1 Katzung, Bertram A1 Tinsley, Suzanne L. A1 Trevor, Anthony J. SR Print(0) ID 6091370 T1 Chapter 9. Drugs Used in Heart Failure T2 Pharmacology for the Physical Therapist YR 2009 FD 2009 PB The McGraw-Hill Companies PP New York, NY SN 978-0-07-146043-9 LK accessphysiotherapy.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=6091370 RD 2024/03/28 AB Heart failure occurs when the cardiac output is inadequate to provide the oxygen needed by the body. Heart failure is a highly lethal condition, with a 5-year mortality rate conventionally said to be about 50%. In systolic failure, cardiac contractility and the ejection fraction of the heart are reduced. In diastolic failure, stiffening and loss of adequate relaxation plays a major role in reducing cardiac output, although the ejection fraction may be normal. Because other cardiovascular conditions such as myocardial infarction are now being treated more effectively, more patients are surviving long enough to develop heart failure. Thus, heart failure is increasing in prevalence. Although research suggests that the primary defect in early heart failure resides in the excitation-contraction coupling machinery of the heart, the clinical condition also involves many other processes and organs, including the baroreceptor reflex, the sympathetic nervous system, the kidneys, angiotensin II and other peptides, and death of cardiac cells. The most common cause of heart failure in the United States is coronary artery disease.