Pediatric heart failure

Abstract

Pediatric heart failure is a significant challenge in clinical practice, a global burden worldwide. Compared to adult population, heart failure in children has a variety of etiologies depending on the patients age. However, pediatric heart failure guidelines are still extrapolated from adult population. In infants and children, the pharmacological treatment is based on angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, beta-blockers, aldosterone receptors antagonists, and other diuretics in the presence of congestion, with a lower use of device therapy. In end-stage heart failure, as a bridge to transplantation or recovery, ventricular assist devices or different palliative surgical interventions are used nowadays. This review focuses on the most important causes, pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical manifestation and management of pediatric heart faliure based on recent guidelines. Furthermore, it emphasize the newer pharmacological or non-pharmacological therapies that have been recently approved in pediatric population.