Diuretics to relieve symptoms/signs of congestion
a
+
ACE inhibitor (or ARB if not tolerated)
b
ADD a MR antagonist
b,d
ADD ivabradine
e
Consider CRT-P/CRT-D
f
No further specific treatment
c
Continue in disease-management programme
Consider digoxin
h
and/or H-ISDN
i
If end stage, consider LVAD and/or transplantation
Consider ICD
g
ADD a beta-blocker
b
Still NYHA class II–IV?
Still NYHA class II–IV?
LVEF 35%?
QRS duration 120 ms?
Still NYHA class II–IV?
Sinus rhythm and HR 70 beats/min?
Still NYHA class II–IV and LVEF 35%?
Ye s No
c
Ye s No
Ye s No
Ye s No
Ye s No
Ye s No
Ye s No
c
ACE = angiotensin-converting enzyme; ARB = angiotensin receptor blocker; CRT-D = cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator; CRT-P = cardiac resynchronization therapy
pacemaker; H-ISDN = hydralazine and isosorbide dinitrate; HR = heart rate; ICD = implantable cardioverter-defibrillator; LBBB = left bundle branch block; LVAD = left ventricular
assist device; LVEF = left ventricular ejection fraction; MR antagonist = mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist; NYHA = New York Heart Association.
a Diuretics may be used as needed to relieve the signs and symptoms of congestion (see Section 7.5) but they have not been shown to reduce hospitalization or death.
b Should be titrated to evidence-based dose or maximum tolerated dose below the evidence-based dose.
c Asymptomatic patients with an LVEF ≤35% and a history of myocardial infarction should be considered for an ICD.
d If mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist not tolerated, an ARB may be added to an ACE inhibitor as an alternative.
e European Medicines Agency has approved ivabradine for use in patients with a heart rate ≥75 b.p.m. May also be considered in patients with a contraindication to a beta-blocker
or beta-blocker intolerance.
f See Section 9.2 for details—indication differs according to heart rhythm, NYHA class, QRS duration, QRS morphology and LVEF.
g Not indicated in NYHA class IV.
h Digoxin may be used earlier to control the ventricular rate in patients with atrial fibrillation—usually in conjunction with a beta-blocker.
i
The combination of hydralazine and isosorbide dinitrate may also be considered earlier in patients unable to tolerate an ACE inhibitor or an ARB.
Figure 2 Treatment options for patients with chronic symptomatic systolic heart failure (NYHA functional class II– IV).
ESC Guidelines Page 19 of 61