Pathophysiology of CHF
In heart failure, this neurohormonal system is activated and contributes to vasoconstriction, sodium retention, and water retention.
What is the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS)?
This class of drugs, often used in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), reduces mortality and has been shown to improve outcomes in patients with CHF.
What are angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)?
In diagnosing heart failure, this imaging modality is considered the gold standard for assessing left ventricular ejection fraction.
What is echocardiography?
For patients in a remote clinic setting, these medications are often adjusted based on regular virtual follow-ups, aiming to manage symptoms and prevent hospitalization.
What are diuretics?
This peptide is secreted in response to increased myocardial wall stress and can serve as a biomarker in diagnosing heart failure.
What is B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP)?
This class of drugs targets hormone receptors and increases survival in patients with heart failure.
What are aldosterone antagonists?
This biomarker is used to diagnose, determine effectiveness of treatment, and determine future risk.
What is B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) or aminoterminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP)?
In a study published by the American College of Cardiology, patients with heart failure who used this technology showed a 28% reduction in hospital readmissions over 6 months.
Remote patient monitoring
The Frank-Starling mechanism describes the relationship between myocardial stretch and contractile force. In heart failure, this relationship becomes blunted due to chronic ventricular dilation and this phenomenon.
What is ventricular remodeling?
This inotropic agent, which can be used in decompensated heart failure to increase cardiac output, has a known risk of arrhythmias.
What is dobutamine?
This sign, when in the history, is the most sensitive sign of CHF exacerbation.
What is dyspnea on exertion?
A 2021 study found that daily monitoring of this data point was associated with a 15% reduction in the likelihood of heart failure hospitalization within 6 months for patients with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).
What is daily weight monitoring?
In the context of left ventricular failure, pulmonary edema occurs primarily because of increased pressure in this circulatory system.
What is the pulmonary circulation?
This newer class of drug, used in the treatment of HFrEF, works by inhibiting soluble guanylate cyclase to enhance nitric oxide signaling.
What is sacubitril/valsartan (entresto)?
This sign, when present on history, is most specific for a diagnosis of CHF.
What is orthopnea?
This intervention, examined and JAMA internal medicine, has been shown to improve medication adherence in elderly patients by approximately 15 to 20%.
What are pill organizers?
In right-sided heart failure, systemic venous congestion primarily affects these two organ systems.
What are the liver and the kidneys?
This intravenous vasodilator, often used in acute decompensated heart failure, works by decreasing preload and afterload through the release of nitric oxide.
What is nitroglycerin?
This condition is highly linked to right ventricular failure and can be prevented or cured in most cases.
OSA
This metric, studied in the American Hart journal, reported that nearly 25 to 30% of CHF read admissions within 30 days are related to this.
What is medication adherence?