The federal Agency for Health Care Policy and Research has published its second set of guidelines in the field of internal medicine. These guidelines outline a comprehensive plan for the treatment of heart failure. They focus on the practical aspects of the management of patients with heart failure due to reduced left ventricular systolic performance (ejection fractions < 35% to 40%). They also offer expert opinion in the diagnosis and evaluation of heart failure and review clinical criteria for admission and discharge of these patients. Prevention of heart failure is a major focus of these current guidelines.