CHF

Congestive heart failure

 Heart failure is a condition in which the heart has lost the ability to pump enough
 blood to the body's tissues. With too little blood being delivered, the organs
 and other tissues do not receive enough oxygen and nutrients to function properly
xray shows CCF-- (CARDIAC SIZE IS ENLARGED,LUNG FIELDS ARE CONGESTED)

Congestive heart failure (CHF) or cardiac failure (CCF) occurs when the heart can no longer pump
 blood quickly enough. This causes fluid to build up particularly in the liver, lungs, hands and feet.
 The legs may develop swelling that gets worse when the person stands and improves when
 they lie down. If the lungs are involved, it can cause shortness of breath and coughing, 
especially during exercise such as walking up stairs or when lying down flat in bed. 
CHF may occur in those who have had a previous heart attack or who have high
 blood pressure, narrowed arteries to the heart, infections, or congenital heart disease.

• signs & symptoms                                                                                                  

  
  
  
  

  . peripheral edema

  
  

  . jugular venous distention

  . tachycardia are highly predictive of CCF but occur in only 10-20% pts

  . hypertension

  . cold & sweaty skin

  . pulsus alternans

  . wheezes, third or fourth heart sounds

  . CXR only 80% sensitive

  .cough with pink, frothy sputum

  
  

  
  
  Causes and symptoms
  
  
  The most common causes of heart failure are:
• • Coronary artery disease and heart attack 
  • Cardiomyopathy
  • High blood pressure
  • Heart valve disease
  • Congenital heart disease
  • Alcoholism and drug abuse

  
  

  Diagnosis

  
  

  Diagnosis of heart failure is based on:

  • symptoms
  • medical history
  • physical examination
  • chest x ray
  • electrocardiogram (ECG; also called EKG)
  • other imaging tests
  • cardiac catheterization