title: Outpatient Emergencies: Acute Heart Failure.
abstract: Heart failure is an epidemic in the United States and a major health problem worldwide. The syndrome of acute heart failure is marked by a recent onset of symptoms usually in terms of days to a few weeks of worsening fatigue, shortness of breath, orthopnea, swelling, and sudden onset of weight gain. Physicians caring for patients with heart failure must know the risk factors for this disease, pathophysiology, symptomatology, important examination findings, key diagnostic tests, and management approach so as to improve symptoms and reduce mortality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Jefferson Heart Institute, Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, 925 Chestnut Street, Suite 323A, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
authors.forename: Malgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mysliwiec
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Jefferson Heart Institute, Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, 925 Chestnut Street, Suite 323A, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA. Electronic address: Raphael.Bonita@jefferson.edu.
authors.forename: Raphael E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Bonita
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004630:Emergencies; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006440:Hemofiltration / Q000379:methods; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D010045:Outpatients; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D004232:Diuretics; D014665:Vasodilator Agents
keywords: Acute heart failure; BNP; Cardiomyopathy; Heart failure hospitalization; Volume overload