Congestive heart failure overview

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Congestive Heart Failure Microchapters

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Patient Information

Overview

Historical Perspective

Classification

Pathophysiology

Systolic Dysfunction
Diastolic Dysfunction
HFpEF
HFrEF

Causes

Differentiating Congestive heart failure from other Diseases

Epidemiology and Demographics

Risk Factors

Screening

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Diagnosis

Clinical Assessment

History and Symptoms

Physical Examination

Laboratory Findings

Electrocardiogram

Chest X Ray

Cardiac MRI

Echocardiography

Exercise Stress Test

Myocardial Viability Studies

Cardiac Catheterization

Other Imaging Studies

Other Diagnostic Studies

Treatment

Invasive Hemodynamic Monitoring

Medical Therapy:

Summary
Acute Pharmacotherapy
Chronic Pharmacotherapy in HFpEF
Chronic Pharmacotherapy in HFrEF
Diuretics
ACE Inhibitors
Angiotensin receptor blockers
Aldosterone Antagonists
Beta Blockers
Ca Channel Blockers
Nitrates
Hydralazine
Positive Inotropics
Anticoagulants
Angiotensin Receptor-Neprilysin Inhibitor
Antiarrhythmic Drugs
Nutritional Supplements
Hormonal Therapies
Drugs to Avoid
Drug Interactions
Treatment of underlying causes
Associated conditions

Exercise Training

Surgical Therapy:

Biventricular Pacing or Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT)
Implantation of Intracardiac Defibrillator
Ultrafiltration
Cardiac Surgery
Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVADs)
Cardiac Transplantation

ACC/AHA Guideline Recommendations

Initial and Serial Evaluation of the HF Patient
Hospitalized Patient
Patients With a Prior MI
Sudden Cardiac Death Prevention
Surgical/Percutaneous/Transcather Interventional Treatments of HF
Patients at high risk for developing heart failure (Stage A)
Patients with cardiac structural abnormalities or remodeling who have not developed heart failure symptoms (Stage B)
Patients with current or prior symptoms of heart failure (Stage C)
Patients with refractory end-stage heart failure (Stage D)
Coordinating Care for Patients With Chronic HF
Quality Metrics/Performance Measures

Implementation of Practice Guidelines

Congestive heart failure end-of-life considerations

Specific Groups:

Special Populations
Patients who have concomitant disorders
Obstructive Sleep Apnea in the Patient with CHF
NSTEMI with Heart Failure and Cardiogenic Shock

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor-In-Chief: Saleh El Dassouki, M.D. [2]

Overview of Congestive Heart Failure

Heart failure is any condition of the heart that results in the inability of the heart to meet the demands of circulation causing insufficient blood flow. It is also defined as a complex clinical syndrome due to abnormalities of the cardiac structure and/or the function that impairs the left ventricle from filling or ejecting blood.

Heart failure is not synonymous with cardiomyopathy or left ventricular dysfunction, as these are terms used to describe a structural or functional abnormality that could lead to heart failure. Heart failure is as clinical syndrome characterized by specific symptoms (dyspnea and fatigue) and signs(rales) upon physical examination. There is no single test to diagnose heart failure. It is largely a clinical diagnosis based on careful patient history review and physical examination.

Pathophysiology

Heart failure could result from an abnormality of any one of the anatomical structures of the heart; the pericardium, myocardium, endocardium or great vessels. Heart failure was once thought to be secondary to a depressed left ventricular ejection fraction. However, studies have shown that approximately 50% of patients who are diagnosed with heart failure have a normal ejection fraction (diastolic dysfunction). Patients may be broadly classified as having heart failure with depressed left ventricular ejection fraction (systolic dysfunction) or normal/preserved ejection fraction (diastolic dysfunction). systolic and diastolic dysfunction commonly occur in conjunction.

Diagnosis

Symptoms

The classic symptoms of heart failure include dyspnea, fatigue, and fluid retention.

Patients with heart failure present in different ways. Some patients present with exercise intolerance but show little evidence of congestion or edema. Other patients present with mild symptoms of edema and pulmonary congestion.

References


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