Congestive heart failure: a review and case report from a chiropractic teaching clinic.
OBJECTIVE
To discuss the case of a 62-year-old woman with congestive heart failure (CHF), precipitated by a previous arteriovenous malformation, and to review the clinical presentation, pathophysiology, and treatment options for patients with CHF.


METHODS
The patient complained of pain, rapid weight gain, and shortness of breath. The index event for this patient was known to be an arteriovenous malformation. Biventricular cardiomegaly with pulmonary venous hypertension was evident on chest radiographs.


RESULTS
The patient received both medical care (drug therapy) and chiropractic care (manipulation and soft tissue techniques to alleviate symptoms and discomfort).


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with known and undiagnosed CHF may visit the chiropractic physician; thus, knowledge of comprehensive care, differential diagnosis, and continuity of care are important. Chiropractic management may be helpful in alleviating patient discomfort. Further clinical investigations may help to clarify the role of complementary and alternative care in the diagnosis and treatment of CHF.
Osterhouse
Melanie D
MD
Department of Radiology, Logan College of Chiropractic, Chesterfield, MO 63006-1065, USA. imaging@logan.edu
Kettner
Norman W
NW
Boesch
Ron
R
D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001165:Arteriovenous Malformations / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006332:Cardiomegaly / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002684:Chiropractic / Q000193:education; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004517:Education, Professional; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D008168:Lung / Q000098:blood supply; D026882:Manipulation, Chiropractic; D008875:Middle Aged; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy*; D011667:Pulmonary Veins; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D004232:Diuretics