Highlights of the 2016 European Society of Cardiology Guidelines on Heart Failure

Abstract

The European Society of Cardiology guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of heart failure (HF) was updated in 2016. In this article, highlights of the updates made based on new findings and practical recommendations are presented. The 2016 guidelines include definitions and criteria for diagnosing the different types of HF. In addition, a newly developed algorithm is proposed for treating particularly symptomatic HF with reduced ejection fraction, including the use of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, betablockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists and the angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor sacubitril/valsartan. Further evidence is required for some aspects of the diagnosis and treatment of HF, but these guidelines will prove useful for decision making in this setting.