Congestion in Patients with Advanced Heart Failure: Assessment and Treatment

Heart Fail Clin. 2021 Oct;17(4):575-586. doi: 10.1016/j.hfc.2021.05.003. Epub 2021 Jul 22.

Abstract

Heart failure (HF) is characterized by frequent hospital admissions due to acute decompensation and shortened life span with a progressive clinical course leading to an advanced stage where traditional therapies become ineffective. Due to aging of the population and improved therapies, only a small of proportion of patients with advanced HF are candidates for surgical treatments, such as mechanical circulatory support or heart transplantation. In most cases, prompt identification and management of congestion is paramount to improving symptoms and quality of life and avoiding progression to severe multiorgan dysfunction and death.

Keywords: Congestion; Diuretics; Heart failure; Organ dysfunction.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Heart Failure* / diagnosis
  • Heart Failure* / therapy
  • Heart Transplantation*
  • Hospitalization
  • Humans
  • Quality of Life