title: [Diagnostic algorithm in heart failure].
abstract: Chronic heart failure has a multitude of cardiological causes the most common being coronary artery disease, dilatory cardiomyopathy or arterial hypertension. Clinical examination, ECG and radiography can support the suspected diagnosis of heart failure. Confirmation of the diagnosis and clarification of the etiology is done largely with echocardiography. Depending upon the etiology, further investigations are necessary, in particular in the case of coronary artery disease. In doubtful cases, low levels of natriuretic peptide can exclude heart failure.
authors.affiliation: Med. Klinik 2, Universitätsklinik Erlangen. frank.flachskampf@t-online.de
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Flachskampf
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D004452:Echocardiography; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005194:Family Practice; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D010446:Peptide Fragments; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain