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Heart Failure

HF image

What is?

Heart failure (HF) is a complex clinical syndrome characterized by symptoms and signs resulting from any structural or functional impairment of ventricular filling or ejection of blood. According to the universal definition proposed by the Heart Failure Society of America and other international societies, HF is defined as a clinical syndrome with symptoms and/or signs caused by a structural and/or functional cardiac abnormality, corroborated by elevated natriuretic peptide levels and/or objective evidence of pulmonary or systemic congestion.

Causes and Symptoms

  • Sign and Symptoms:
    • Dysnea on exertion
    • Orthopnea
    • Fatigue
    • Fluid retention
    • Elevated jugular venous pressure
    • Pulmonary crackles
    • S3
    • Peripheral edema
  • Diagnostic Procedures

  • Framingham Criteria
  • Avaible treatment

  • Management of Heart Failure is guided by these classifications and stages.