About
Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a condition in which the heart fails to work adequately as a pump that can deliver oxygen rich blood to the body.
The heart is made up of four chambers: two atria and two ventricles. The ventricles make up the lower chambers of the heart. They pump blood during the contraction of the muscles. This event is called systole. After each ventricular contraction (systole) the ventricle muscles take some time to relax during which blood from the upper chambers (atria) fills them. This is the diastole.
A number of conditions cause diminished pumping ability of the ventricles. Heart attacks and infections (myocarditis) weaken the ventricular muscles leading to systolic dysfunction.
Congestive heart failure can be caused by:
- Diseases in which the heart muscle weakens
- Diseases in which the heart muscles stiffens
- Conditions where oxygen demand by the body tissue is beyond the capacity of the heart (It is the heart that has to deliver adequate oxygen-rich blood)
Conditions like hemochromatosis (iron overload) or amyloidosis cause stiffening of heart muscles. The ventricles'' capacity to relax is impaired and this is termed diastolic dysfunction. Long standing high blood pressure leads to a hypertrophied (i.e. a thickened) heart.
In some patients the pumping action remains normal but the body requirements are much higher than what the heart can deliver. Conditions like anaemia or hyperthyroidism are often responsible for this.
In some individuals one or more of these factors can co-exist and may present as a congestive heart failure. Let us focus on the congestive heart failure that is due to heart muscle weakness, i.e. systolic dysfunction.
What is new in congestive heart failure?
Inhibition of OMA1 which activates heart stress could be targeted for the prevention of heart failure finds a new study. The elimination of OMA1 prevented heart failure demonstrating a direct role in the protection of cardiomyocytes (the muscle cells of the heart). This assures the scientists that OMA1 can be a promising target for the treatment of heart failure.
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- Cecil Medicine, 23rd Ed.
- Harrison''s PRINCIPLES OF INTERNAL MEDICINE, 17TH Edition
- Amsterdam EA. Revised American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines for the management of heart failure. Prev Cardiol. 2005 Fall;8(4):254, 256.
- Heart Failure Society Of America. Evaluation and management of patients with acute decompensated heart failure. J Card Fail. 2006 Feb;12(1):e86-e103. Review.
Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:
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APA
Dr. Nithin Jayan. (2019, December 13). Congestive Heart Failure (Congestive Cardiac Failure) Current Management . Medindia. Retrieved on Sep 28, 2023 from https://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/congestive-heart-failure.htm.
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MLA
Dr. Nithin Jayan. "Congestive Heart Failure (Congestive Cardiac Failure) Current Management ". Medindia. Sep 28, 2023. <https://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/congestive-heart-failure.htm>.
Chicago
Dr. Nithin Jayan. "Congestive Heart Failure (Congestive Cardiac Failure) Current Management ". Medindia. https://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/congestive-heart-failure.htm. (accessed Sep 28, 2023).
Harvard
Dr. Nithin Jayan. 2019. Congestive Heart Failure (Congestive Cardiac Failure) Current Management . Medindia, viewed Sep 28, 2023, https://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/congestive-heart-failure.htm.
Latest Publications and Research on Congestive Heart Failure
- A case of recurrent constrictive pericarditis induced by pericardial substitution with an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membrane. - Published by PubMed
- Early outcome of cardiac surgery in dialysis-dependent end-stage renal failure patients. - Published by PubMed
- Long-term clinical outcomes with use of an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor early after heart transplantation. - Published by PubMed
- Abnormal fluid distribution and low handgrip strength index as predictors of mortality in Mexican patients with chronic heart failure. - Published by PubMed
- Emodin and emodin-rich rhubarb inhibits histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity and cardiac myocyte hypertrophy. - Published by PubMed
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Congestive heart failure can affect many organs. For example: The weakened heart muscle may not be able to deliver enough blood to the kidneys, which in turn begin to lose their normal ability to excrete salt and water. This can cause decreased kidney function in the body to retain more fluid. The lungs can become clogged with fluid and the ability of the person to take down. The fluid can also accumulate in the liver, which hinders their ability to rid the body of toxins and produce essential proteins. The intestines can become less efficient in absorbing nutrients and drugs. The fluid can also accumulate in the extremities, causing swelling of the ankles and feet. http://www.insideheart.com