An Overview of Medical Management of Acute Decompensated Heart Failure

Abstract

ADHF is a heterogeneous clinical syndrome that usually leads to hospitalization due to a combination of interconnected renal dysfunction, cardiac dysfunction, and vascular compliance. Hospitalizations from ADHF are linked to increased morbidity and mortality, with about half of the patients on readmission within six months and short-term cardiac mortality. Importantly, the overall long-term outcome is still poor, combining rates of cardiovascular death, hospitalization for heart failure, myocardial infarction, and stroke. Managing these patients remain a challenge, with an emphasis on end-organ perfusion (coronary and renal), primarily volume control and reduction of vascular resistance.

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