Management of HF

Management of HF

Investigations

Serum urea, creatinine and electrolytes, haemoglobin
thyroid function
ECG and chest X-ray may help to establish the nature and severity of the underlying heart disease and detect any complications

Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is elevated in heart failure and is a marker of risk; it is useful in the investigation of patients with breathlessness or peripheral oedema

Echocardiography is very useful and should be considered in all patients with heart failure in order to:
• determine the aetiology
• detect unsuspected valvular heart disease, such as occult mitral stenosis, and other conditions that may be amenable to specific remedies
identify patients who will benefit from long-term
drug therapy, e.g. ACE inhibitors

Management of acute
pulmonary oedema

This is an acute medical emergency:
• Sit the patient up to reduce pulmonary
congestion.
• Give oxygen (high-flow, high- concentration).
Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation