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Rebecca Voelker

JAMA. 1999;281:694.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

Most patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) should receive a four-drug regimen, according to new recommendations from a panel of more than 150 leading CHF experts.

The recommendations, issued on behalf of the nonprofit Advisory Council To Improve Outcomes Nationwide in Heart Failure (ACTION HF), are based on an 18-month review of available data on the treatment of CHF. The expert panel concluded that most patients should receive digitalis and diuretics in combination with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and -blockers. Currently, about 40% of CHF patients receive ACE inhibitors and just 5% receive -blockers, the panel noted.

"A great deal of research conducted since the last guidelines were published 4 years ago has provided new insight into treating heart failure. We know that by treating patients earlier and more aggressively with certain medications, we can potentially slow the progression of this disease and help patients live longer," said . . . [Full Text of this Article]