International Journal of General Medicine (Nov 2021)
Long-Term Pharmacological Management of Reduced Ejection Fraction Following Acute Myocardial Infarction: Current Status and Future Prospects
Abstract
Alexandra AI Abel, Andrew L Clark Department of Academic Cardiology, Castle Hill Hospital, Kingston Upon Hull, UKCorrespondence: Alexandra AI AbelDepartment of Academic Cardiology, Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham, Kingston-Upon-Hull, HU16 5JQ, UKEmail [email protected]: Heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction is common following acute myocardial infarction (MI), and active medical management can have a profound impact on prognosis. Reviewing relevant clinical trials, we focus on the pharmacological management of left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) following an acute MI, although there is overlap with the pharmacological management of chronic HF due to reduced ejection fraction. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, beta-blockers, and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists are the mainstay of medical management in patients with LVSD post MI; there may also be a role for anticoagulation. Sacubitril-valsartan (angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor) has not yet been shown to be superior to an ACE inhibitor in reducing cardiovascular mortality and HF events in patients with LVSD post MI. Large randomised trials evaluating sodium glucose transporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors in LVSD post MI are ongoing.Keywords: heart failure, HeFREF, myocardial infarction