PALLIATIVE USE OF INOTROPICS IN END-STAGE HEART FAILURE

On average 1% of the population over 40 years of age acquires an initial stage of heart failure and this percentage doubles every 10 years, representing 10% in those over 70 years of age. This implies the great impact of the disease in relation to its incidence and prevalence; it currently affects more than 6 million adults in the United States, and 8 million patients are projected by 2030.Throughout the life of the heart failure patient it is usually necessary to apply a series of complex and invasive treatments, which however in advanced stages of the disease are less effective.A review of the American College of Cardiology / American Heart Association (ACC / AHA) Guidelines emphasizes palliative inotropic therapy as part of an overall plan to improve quality of life in this group of patients. This proposes a major challenge that diverts us from the main focus of these drugs; that is why through this review we propose that inotropic drugs would have a place as palliative treatment in end-stage heart failure.