Guideline for the management of heart failure caused by systolic dysfunction: Part I. Guideline development, etiology and diagnosis

Over the past decade, the conceptual understanding of heart failure has cha nged significantly. Several large clinical trials have demonstrated that ph armacologic interventions can dramatically reduce the morbidity and mortali ty associated with heart failure. These trials have extended the therapeuti c paradigm for treating heart failure beyond the goal of limiting congestiv e symptoms of volume overload. This two-part article presents an evidence-b ased guideline to assist primary care physicians in evaluating and treating patients with heart failure. Part I describes the new paradigm of heart fa ilure and offers guidance for diagnostic testing. Part II presents a treatm ent guideline.