[Advances in heart failure treatment: a summary of 50 years of evolution]

Management of heart failure is one of the most important challenges of modern medicine. Heart failure affects a large number of patients worldwide and its prevalence is increasing. The adoption of the methodology of randomized controlled trials has led to the identification of drugs and devices that prolong life and, in many cases, also yield a better quality of life. Improvement in the diagnostic techniques and devices has also led to better treatment of most major comorbidities, another strong driver of patient's symptoms and natural history. This article aims to provide an overview of the key events that have led to such improvement.