Diagnosis and management of heart failure in the outpatient setting.
Heart failure is a clinical syndrome that results in diminished tissue perfusion and volume overload. Because of increasing population age and improved survival after myocardial infarction, the prevalence of heart failure is likely to increase dramatically. Primary care physicians are in an ideal position to care for patients throughout the spectrum of heart failure, from identifying patients at increased risk to managing the final stages of the disease. New understandings of heart failure pathophysiology have led to more effective treatments aimed at blocking neurohormonal pathways. There is still much to be learned about the pathophysiology and treatment of diastolic heart failure, and rapidly expanding knowledge of heart failure is likely to lead to better treatment in the coming years.
Wilbur
Jason
J
Department of Family Medicine, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. jason-wilbur@uiowa.edu
James
Paul
P
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000379:methods; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018450:Disease Progression; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D010166:Palliative Care; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D011379:Prognosis
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D004232:Diuretics