The Year in Heart Failure

This has been an important year for the study of heart failure with advances being made on a number of fronts, in pharmacological therapy, surgery and the use of mechanical devices. In addition, we are now in a position to properly evaluate the results of a number of major trials and in this volume the editor presents a critical analysis of these findings. Included here are discussions of nine recent studies including the CHARM, EPHESUS, LIDO and OVERTURE trials, the latest studies of beta-blockers (COMET and CAPRICORN), TNF alpha-inhibitors (ATTACH) and endothelin antagonists (RITZ-4). Also reviewed are the recent studies of devices used in resynchronisation therapy (MIRACLE and COMPANION), cardiac splints (ACORN) and also surgical procedures such as CABG (the STITCH trial).