Abstract
Heart failure is a highly prevalent disease in the adult population. Patients suffering from decompensated heart failure are often acutely admitted to hospital where this potentially life-threatening situation requires immediate therapy. The clinical picture of heart failure can be unspecific, especially as the major symptom, respiratory insufficiency (dyspnea) is also seen in patients suffering ...
Abstract
Heart failure is a highly prevalent disease in the adult population. Patients suffering from decompensated heart failure are often acutely admitted to hospital where this potentially life-threatening situation requires immediate therapy. The clinical picture of heart failure can be unspecific, especially as the major symptom, respiratory insufficiency (dyspnea) is also seen in patients suffering from various lung disorders. Therefore, it is essential to assess the patient's acute problems in form of a careful physical examination and also by a detailed medical history. During medical examination a careful auscultation of the lungs as well as the assessment of potential peripheral edema is recommended. Importantly, signs of cardiogenic shock must not be overlooked. A standard 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) and an echocardiographic assessment of cardiac function represent two essential technical investigations. Heart rhythm, frequency and potential abnormalities of the ECG may be informative with respect to the specific disease entity. Similarly, cardiac performance, dimensions and more specific aspects, such as valve function can be evaluated using echocardiography and can help to initiate an appropriate therapy. These specific cardiac investigations should be combined with X-ray imaging of the lungs and specific blood parameters. Acute heart failure is a very common and acutely life-threatening clinical picture. Every physician working in emergency medicine or in an intensive care unit should be able to recognize it as soon as possible and to treat the patient accordingly.
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