Resumo

MENDEZ ORTIZ, Arturo. Pathophysiology of heart failure. Arch. Cardiol. Méx. [online]. 2006, vol.76, suppl.2, pp.182-187. ISSN 1665-1731.

Treatment of heart failure has been successfully target biologically, to counteract deleterious effects resulting from neuroendocrine activation, with the use of several agents (e.g., angiotensine-converting enzyme inhibitors, beta-adrenergic receptor blockers, spironolactone), that provide benefical effects, demonstrated in multicentric trials in controlled populations. However, this mid-term benefit, becomes less effective with time, resulting in progression of the disease to terminal stages and death. The purpose of this paper is to review other pathophysiologic pathways and the potential application of preventive measures to be incorporated in the standardized treatment of heart failure.

Palavras-chave : Neuroendocrine activation; Apoptosis; Inflammation; Oxidative stress.