Heart failure

March 2018 | by EMauthor


Occurs when the heart is unable to pump blood at a rate required by metabolizing tissues. Caused by Ischaemic, valvular, hypertensive or congenital heart disease, cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, endocarditis, pulmonary embolism (PE). Precipitated bymyocardial infarction, infection, arrhythmia, anaemia, thyrotoxicosis, electrolyte disturbance, PE.


Clinical features


Left-sided heart failure (HF): dyspnoea, orthopnoea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea, fatigue, lung crepitations, pleural effusions, cyanosis

Right-sided HF: peripheral oedema, abdominal distension/ascites, tender pulsatile hepatomegaly, T jugular venous pressure (IVP), hepatojugular reflux

Severe HF: reduced pulse pressure, hypotension, cool peripheries, 3rd i 4th heart sounds, gallop rhythm.


Investigations and treatment


Bloods, ECG

Chest X-ray, echo if skilled

Treat any risk factor (cholesterol reduction, glycaemic control, weight loss, smoking cessation etc.); remove any precipitant

Diuretics, ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers, B-blockers, digoxin, GTN infusion




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