Congestive heart failure

Background

• Assume valvular problem in new-onset CHF
• Assume valve thrombosis in CHF w/ a prosthetic valve
• Do not give vasodilators in AS; yes in MR

NYHA Classes

1. No Sx
2. Sx with every day activity
3. Severely limits activity
4. Sx at rest

Diagnosis

1. CBC (r/o anemia), chemistry
2. ECG
3. CXR
4. Troponin?
5. BNP?
   1. <100 (90% Sn)
   2. > 500 (87% Sp)
   3. Elevated in:
      1. Elderly, kidney failure, PE
   4. Decreased in:
      1. Obese

DDX

1. Cardiovascular
   1. ACS
   2. Acute valve dysfunction
   3. Aortic Dissection
   4. Dysrhthymia
   5. Endocarditis
   6. Hypertensive crisis
   7. Pericardial tamponade
2. Pulmonary
   1. COPD
   2. PE
   3. PNA
3. Other
   1. Pure volume overload
      1. Renal failure
      2. Post-transfusion
   2. Sepsis

Causes of Decompensation

1. Medication noncompliance
2. Dietary noncompliance
3. Uncontrolled HTN
4. MI
5. Valvular dysfunction
6. Arrhythmias
7. Infection
8. Inappropriate medications (e.g., negative inotropes)
9. Fluid overload
10. Missed dialysis
11. Thyrotoxicosis
12. Anemia
13. Alcohol withdrawal

Underlying Etiology

1. CAD
2. HTN
3. Cardiomyopathy
4. Valvular
5. High-output
6. Post-partum

Treatment

UNLOAD+

1. Upright Position
2. Nitrates
   1. Consider nitroprusside if NTG ineffective
3. Lasix
4. Oxygen
5. ACEI
   1. Enalaprilat 0.004mg/kg as IVB or 1mg gtt over 2hr
      1. Avoid in pregnancy, hyperK+
6. Digoxin
   1. Indicated for a fib rate control
7. CPAP/BiPAP

Disposition

Admission Criteria (AHCPR '00)

1. ACS
2. Pulm edema/resp distress
3. O2 sat < 90% on room air
4. Severe complicating illness
5. CHF refractory to outpt therapy
6. Anasarca
7. Symptomatic hypotension or syncope
8. Arrythmia (e.g. new a. fib)
9. Inadequate outpt support

See Also

Cards: CHF Meds

Source

EB Medicine, UpToDate, DONALDSON (adapted from Lampe)