Chronic heart failure (CHF) and its extent

Symptoms

The severity of symptoms of CHF depends on the extent of damage to the heart muscle. The main symptoms are:

• Shortness of breath, worse lying down. When the patient is forced to sleep with an elevated head of the bed (put some pillows).
• Cough and moderate expectoration of pink sputum, which is also enhanced in a horizontal position.
• Fatigue, weakness, fatigue due to reduced oxygen delivery to neural tissue of the brain.
• Swelling of the feet, which increase in the evening, or when errors in the diet and drinking regime.
• Plethora of internal organs, manifested by violation of their functions (renal, hepatic failure), as well as painful sensations in the abdomen.
• Cyanosis of the fingertips, lips, and then all the skin, associated with the stagnation of venous blood with low oxygen content.
• Tachycardia and arrhythmia, which are often present in chronic heart failure.

• Glycosides that stimulate the heart, but in overdose can cause the development of arrhythmia, including ginepraia (ventricular fibrillation).
• Diuretics, which is an essential class when the decrease in the pumping function, due to the absence of habituation and stable therapeutic effect. However, in the event of the accession of renal failure assign them with caution.
• ACE inhibitors lower blood pressure and slow the rate of remodeling (restructuring) of the myocardium. The dose should be selected under the supervision of a physician.
• Nitrates dilate the coronary arteries and lead to the normalization of work of heart at ischemic illness. In addition, may increase ejection fraction by increasing the number of active cardiomyocytes.
• Beta-blockers also increase cardiac output by reducing frequency of cuts.
• Antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants reduce the risk of blood clots in the lumen of vessels and cavities of the heart.
• Drugs that enhance metabolism and antioxidants are also frequently given by physicians in CHF, but their efficiency is not proven.

Surgical treatment is indicated in case of valvular defects, coronary heart disease and certain other conditions. It includes:

• coronary artery bypass grafting;
• valve replacement;
• ballyroan and stenting;
• a heart transplant.

In that case, if the patient needs a heart transplant, but no suitable on not, you can install devices which will temporarily take over the function of the myocardium.