Heart Failure: Difference between revisions

Heart failure patients are broadly classified into one of two groups, or a combination of both, depending on the left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF). This LVEF is most often assessed with echocardiography.  When the LVEF is less than 35-40 %, it is named systolic HF. If LVEF is preserved (>40-50%), symptoms are attributed to decreased relaxation of the heart during diastole and therefore is labeled as diastolic HF or HF with a preserved LVEF (7). As a result of the impaired relaxation, end diastolic pressure and subsequently left atrial- and pulmonary pressure will rise with subsequent alveolar pulmonary edema as a possibility. LF diastolic dysfunction might be present in asymptomatic patients, and it is considered an important precursor of heart failure (8). Frequently, patients have both systolic and diastolic failure at the same time.  

The term heart failure usually implies a failing left ventricle. However, prolonged left ventricular failure increases pressures in the ventricle and atrium, which in time potentially leads to a subsequent increased resistance in the pulmonary vascular system and eventually right ventricular failure.