Heart failure

Abstract

Heart failure (HF) is a clinical syndrome caused by myocardial dysfunction or death. Structurally this could result from left ventricle dilation, hypertrophy, or both. Physiologically, systolic or diastolic dysfunction can cause reduced ventricular filling or ejection of blood, and to compensate, activation of the sympathetic nervous system and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone systems occurs. These neurohormonal changes increase blood pressure and blood volume, further enhancing venous return (preload), stoke volume, and cardiac output to compensate for the cardiac dysfunction. These changes also cause HF symptoms of fluid retention, dyspnea on exertion, and fatigue. Without appropriate therapies and interventions, HF can progressively worsen [1].