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The role of pharmacotherapy in the prevention of sudden cardiac death in patients with heart failure

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Abstract

Sudden cardiac death remains a significant threat to the survival of patients with heart failure. Long-term cardiac remodeling predisposes these patients to develop malignant ventricular arrhythmias. Permanent implantable and temporary external defibrillators remain a mainstay for the prevention of sudden cardiac death in this population. For decades, researchers have attempted to identify reliable drug therapies to avoid such arrhythmias; however, to date, success has been inconsistent. This review aims to explore the evidence defining the role of drug therapies for direct and indirect suppression of arrhythmias that may cause sudden cardiac death in patients with heart failure.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacy, Memorial Hermann – Texas Medical Center, 6411 Fannin Street, Houston, TX, 77030, USA

    Phillip A. Weeks, Adam Sieg & Jennifer Ann Gass

  2. Center for Advanced Heart Failure, University of Texas Health Science Center, 6400 Fannin Street, Suite 2300, Houston, TX, 77030, USA

    Indranee Rajapreyar

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  1. Phillip A. Weeks
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  2. Adam Sieg
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Weeks, P.A., Sieg, A., Gass, J.A. et al. The role of pharmacotherapy in the prevention of sudden cardiac death in patients with heart failure. Heart Fail Rev 21, 415–431 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10741-016-9546-7

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