title: Dissecting the "CHF admission": an evidence-based review of the evaluation and management of acute decompensated heart failure for the hospitalist.
abstract: Acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) is one of the most common conditions managed by hospitalists. Here we review the most recent evidence applicable to hospitalists for the diagnosis, risk stratification, and management of patients presenting with ADHF. By following a structured approach based on the patient's symptoms, history, physical examination, and laboratory testing, the clinician can make the diagnosis of heart failure efficiently. Because patients exhibit a wide spectrum of risk for adverse outcomes, both in the hospital and after discharge, assessing for clinical factors associated with these outcomes is essential. Congestion should be managed primarily with diuretics, and vasodilators may be helpful in certain patients. Given high rates of readmission, hospitalists should ensure that patients received evidence-based therapy, heart failure education is performed, and follow-up is in place before discharge.
authors.affiliation: Department of Heart Failure and Heart Transplantation, Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, Los Angeles, California, USA.
authors.forename: Evan P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Kransdorf
authors.forename: Michelle M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Kittleson
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D019468:Disease Management; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D020445:Hospitalists / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010343:Patient Admission; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods*