Airway Management and Assessment of Dyspnea in Emergency Department Patients with Acute Heart Failure

Abstract

Shortness of breath is the most common symptom in patients with acute heart failure (AHF). Ensuring adequate oxygenation and ventilation as well as symptomatic relief are key goals of early emergency department management. In this focused review, we describe how to assess dyspnea in clinical practice and how to treat AHF patients to relieve dyspnea, with initial discussion on Airway and Breathing management for patients who present in extremis.