Role of neurohormones and peripheral vasculature

Abstract

Heart failure is a complex syndrome involving both cardiac and noncardiac abnormalities. For example, patients with systolic heart failure (SHF; heart failure in association with a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction) have a dilated, hypocontractile left ventricle (LV). In addition, neurohormonal activation, inflammation, renal dysfunction, and anemia also play important roles in the clinical syndrome of SHF. Similarly, diastolic dysfunction is almost invariably present in diastolic heart failure (DHF)1; however, other factors also importantly contribute to DHF. This chapter specifically addresses the role of neurohormonal activation and vascular effects in DHF. © 2008 Springer-Verlag London Limited.