Pharmacologic therapy of heart failure in children: part of a special series on paediatric pharmacology, guest edited by Gianvincenzo Zuccotti, Emilio Clementi, and Massimo Molteni.

Paediatric cardiomyopathy and heart failure are distinct but frequently associated conditions, which have a high mortality. Traditional medical therapy has evolved to incorporate newer classes of heart failure drugs, although the evidence to support efficacy in children is limited. This perspective article discusses the rationale, benefits and limitations of the various classes of drug therapy used in paediatric heart failure due to cardiomyopathy or congenital heart disease. Controversies in management and challenges for future development are highlighted.