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No treatment is recommended prior to the onset of heart failure. Treatment is aimed at managing congestive heart failure through a combination of drugs.  
 
No treatment is recommended prior to the onset of heart failure. Treatment is aimed at managing congestive heart failure through a combination of drugs.  
 
The aims of treatment are to:
 
The aims of treatment are to:
#1 '''Reduce Preload'''  
+
# '''Reduce Preload'''  
 
*Diuretics to reduce circulating fluid volume (Frusemide, Benzofluazide, Spironolactone, Amiloride)
 
*Diuretics to reduce circulating fluid volume (Frusemide, Benzofluazide, Spironolactone, Amiloride)
 
*Vasodilators to reduce venous return (Nitrates, ACE inhibitors, Alpha antagonists)
 
*Vasodilators to reduce venous return (Nitrates, ACE inhibitors, Alpha antagonists)
#2 '''Reduce Afterload  
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# '''Reduce Afterload  
 
*Vasodilators to decrease systemic vascular resistance  
 
*Vasodilators to decrease systemic vascular resistance  
 
**ACE inhibitors e.g. Enalapril, Benzapril, Imidopril ,  
 
**ACE inhibitors e.g. Enalapril, Benzapril, Imidopril ,  
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**Calcium channel blockers e.g. Amlodipine
 
**Calcium channel blockers e.g. Amlodipine
 
**Nitrates e.g. Nitropusside
 
**Nitrates e.g. Nitropusside
#3 '''Enhance Systolic function
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# '''Enhance Systolic function
 
*Positive Inotropes to increase cardiac contractility and increase cardiac output.
 
*Positive Inotropes to increase cardiac contractility and increase cardiac output.
 
**Pimobendan
 
**Pimobendan
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**Dobutamine
 
**Dobutamine
 
**Xanthines
 
**Xanthines
#4 '''Improve Diastolic function
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# '''Improve Diastolic function
 
*Negative Chronotropes to increase the length of diastole (digoxin, atenolol)
 
*Negative Chronotropes to increase the length of diastole (digoxin, atenolol)
 
*Calcium channel blockers to improve relaxation (amlodipine)
 
*Calcium channel blockers to improve relaxation (amlodipine)
#5 '''Control cardiac arrhythmias using anti-arhythmic drugs
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# '''Control cardiac arrhythmias using anti-arhythmic drugs
    
==Prognosis==
 
==Prognosis==
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