[Congestive heart failure in the aged. Causes and mechanisms of left ventricular dysfunction].
AGING PROCESS: Aging can be defined as an association of senescence and disease states. Aging induces changes in adaptive processes, modifying heart failure pathophysiology.


RESULTS
In a population over 75, half of the patients with congestive heart failure have normal left ventricular systolic function. Heart failure in these patients results from ventricular diastolic dysfunction. Hypertension and coronary heart disease are the main causes of heart failure.


CONCLUSIONS
Identifying the etiology and the underlying mechanism (systolic or diastolic) are essential steps guiding further management.
Montagne
O
O
Service d'Urgences, Médecine Générale, Hôpital Henri Mondor, Créteil. olivier.montagne@hmn.ap-hop-paris.fr
Le Roux
A
A
Lejonc
J L
JL
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology