Congestive heart failure complications
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Associate Editor-in-Chief: Varun Kumar, M.B.B.S.; Lakshmi Gopalakrishnan, M.B.B.S.
Complications of heart failure
1. Cardiac Arrhythmias:
- Ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation can occur as serious complications of heart failure when its pump function is severely impaired. This further worsens the cardiac output and even possible death.
- Atrial fibrillation which is rapid beating of atrium without optimal forward pumping of blood is another complication of heart failure which occurs as a result of resistance to blood flow from atrium to ventricles. These patients are at increased risk of stroke.
- Left bundle branch block is an abnormality in electrical conduction in the heart.
2. Congestion:
- Pulmonary congestion which occur in left ventricular failure can cause pulmonary edema.
- Venous stasis and pedal edema can occur as a complication of right heart failure. These conditions predispose patients to venous ulcers, infections and cellulites.
- Cardiac cirrhosis occurs as a result of hepatic venous congestion. This can lead to coma and even death [1].
3. Angina and myocardial infarction: Cardiac ischemia and infarction can also occur when heart failure patients undergo exertion.
4. Renal failure: Renal impairment can occur secondary to decreased renal perfusion. This further worsens heart failure by fluid retention.
5. Cardiac cachexia: Unintentional rapid weight loss (a loss of at least 7.5% of normal weight within 6 months) can occur in chronic heart failure[2]. This is a bad prognostic factor.
References
- ↑ Moussavian SN, Dincsoy HP, Goodman S, Helm RA, Bozian RC (1982). "Severe hyperbilirubinemia and coma in chronic congestive heart failure". Digestive Diseases and Sciences. 27 (2): 175–80. PMID 7075414. Unknown parameter
|month=ignored (help);|access-date=requires|url=(help) - ↑ Freeman LM (2009). "The pathophysiology of cardiac cachexia". Current Opinion in Supportive and Palliative Care. 3 (4): 276–81. doi:10.1097/SPC.0b013e32833237f1. PMID 19797959. Retrieved 2011-04-30. Unknown parameter
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