Potential New Treatment Presents Shift in Care for Cardiac Patients

Pending further research a new powerful pharmaceutical combination could make a significant difference in the treatment of patients with a left ventricular assist device.

Using what John Gorcsan III, MD, from UPMC called "intensive pharmacologic therapy," the trial showed using ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, beta blockers, aldosterone antagonists, and digoxin showed that many patients who had needed a pump to help their hearts function were able to have the pump removed. These results were considerably better than similar trials that had looked at ways to help this patient population.