Congestive heart failure

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 * Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: ; Atif Mohammad, M.D.

Synonyms and Related Key Words: CHF, pump failure, left heart failure, right heart failure, chronic heart failure, acute heart failure, flash pulmonary edema, congestion, systolic dysfunction, LV dysfunction, LV failure, impaired filling, reduced cardiac output, pulmonary edema

Pathophysiology
Systolic dysfunction | Diastolic dysfunction

Diagnosis
Clinical Assessment | History & Symptoms | Physical Examination | Lab Tests | Electrocardiogram | Chest X Ray | Echocardiography | Exercise Stress Test | Myocardial Viability Studies | Cardiac Catheterization | Endomyocardial biopsy

Medical Therapy:

 * Acute Pharmacotherapy
 * Chronic Pharmacotherapy: Diuretics | ACE Inhibitors | Angiotensin receptor blockers | Aldosterone Antagonists | Beta Blockers | Ca Channel Blockers | Nitrates | Hydralazine | Positive Inotropics | Anticoagulants | Antiarrhythmic Drugs | Metformin | Nutritional Supplements | Hormonal Therapies

Surgical Therapy:

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

Stage A: Patients at High Risk for Developing Heart Failure
Treatment of Hypertension | Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus | Management of Metabolic Syndrome | Management of Atherosclerotic Disease | Control of Conditions That May Cause Heart Failure | ACC/AHA Guideline Recommendations

===Stage B: Patients with Cardiac Structural Abnormalities===

Specific Groups
Special Populations | Patients who have concomitant disorders | Obstructive Sleep Apnea in the Patient with CHF

Guidelines Resources

 * The ACC/AHA 2005 Guideline Update for the Diagnosis and Management of Chronic Heart Failure in the Adult


 * 2009 focused update: ACCF/AHA Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Heart Failure in Adults: a report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines: developed in collaboration with the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation