Heart failure therapy in patients with coronary artery disease.
Taylor CJ., Hobbs FDR.
Heart failure and coronary artery disease share many risk factors. Coronary artery disease often pre-dates the development of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. A diagnosis of heart failure should be considered in any patient with a history of coronary artery disease who presents with breathlessness, ankle oedema or fatigue. Several therapies, such as renin-angiotensin antagonists and B blockers, have been proven to improve survival in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction but evidence for effectiveness in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction is lacking. The management of heart failure and coronary artery disease overlaps considerably but can also be conflicting. Optimal risk factor management is key to preventing progression to heart failure in patients with coronary artery disease.