[Medical treatment of chronic heart failure].

Throughout the last decade the therapeutic approach to heart failure has undergone a considerable change. Current treatment is not just directed towards the relief of symptoms; additional objectives are prevention and progression of heart failure. Heart failure concerns not only the heart, but also the response of the body to the diminished function of the heart. Consequently the emphasis of treatment is no longer aimed solely at promoting the excretion of salt and water. Additional objectives are limitations of neuroendocrine and cytokine activation and the reversal of the extracardiac abnormalities. This paper concerns the medical treatment of heart failure according to the recommendations of the European Society of Cardiology.