Current heart failure reports
-
Curr Heart Fail Rep · Dec 2014
ReviewThe acute cardiorenal syndrome type I: considerations on physiology, epidemiology, and therapy.
Acute cardiorenal syndrome, also known as cardiorenal syndrome type 1, is defined as an abrupt worsening of cardiac function that occurs in at least 30 % of patients with acute decompensated heart failure and can lead to the development of acute kidney injury. The changes in renal function that occur in this setting have variable prognostic implications, as both poorer and better outcomes have been reported when renal function worsens during treatment of heart failure decompensation. ⋯ Given these gaps in the understanding of the significance of renal function changes in the setting of decompensated heart failure, it is not surprising that studies on the effects of available therapies, including diuretics, vasoactive drugs, and mechanical fluid removal have yielded inconsistent results. The purpose of this review is to analyze critically the current knowledge on the pathophysiology, epidemiology, prognosis, and treatment of acute cardiorenal syndrome.
-
Curr Heart Fail Rep · Dec 2014
ReviewEpidemiology of pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular failure in left heart failure.
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) leading to right ventricular failure (RVF) is a common complication of left heart failure irrespective of the left ventricular ejection fraction. PH due to left heart disease is the most common cause of PH. The prevalence of PH and RVF in left heart failure varies depending on the patient population studied, the method used to diagnose PH, and the hemodynamic criteria used to define PH. ⋯ PH is associated with markers of disease severity, advanced symptoms, and worse long-term outcomes including heart failure hospitalization and mortality in left heart failure. RVF has independent, incremental prognostic value over PH for adverse outcomes in left heart failure. PH and RVF may be potential therapeutic targets in patients with left heart failure.