Heart Failure Guidelines, 2005

Revised recommendations from the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association

Sponsoring Organizations: American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association, in collaboration with the American College of Chest Physicians and the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation

Background: Since the ACC/AHA published the 2001 guidelines for chronic heart failure (HF) in adults, many expanded indications and newer therapies have been approved for the treatment of HF. The 2005 guidelines account for these developments, revise the staging system for HF, promote the use of evidence-based drug selection, and make specific recommendations on expanded or new HF therapies.

Key Points:

1. A revised staging system for HF reflects that it is a clinical syndrome on a continuum of cardiovascular disease. The first tw…

Reviewing Author

William T. Abraham, MD