Author/Editor		Pernat, Andrej
Title		Heart failure: evaluation and guidelines. How should cardiologists evaluate heart failure?
Type		članek
Source		In: Štiblar-Martinčič D, Petrovič D, editors. Cardiovascular diseases. Proceedings of the 32nd memorial meeting devoted to professor Janez Plečnik, International symposium in memory of professor Rene Favaloro; 2001 Dec 6-8; Ljubljana. Ljubljana: Medical faculty,
Publication year		2001
Volume		str. 37-44
Language		eng
Abstract		Heart failure is characterized by decreased left ventricular ejection fraction or increased flling pressures. It is important to elucidate the type of heart failure because it determines optimal treatment. Systolic dysfunction exists when decreased ejection fraction is present. Diastolic dysfunction is implied when filling pressure is increased with a normal ejection ftaction and without alternative explanatory diagnosis. During initial evaluation of suspected heart failure, clinical signs and symptoms are combined with EKG and chest X-ray. Lack of specificity and sensitivity, however, limit these tests to provide accurate basis for diagnosis. Objective determination of cardiac dysfunction is necessary, and this is obtained by echocardiography. This methodology allows accurate determination of ventricular dysfunction and, in many instances, also provides information about etiology of heart failure. Coronary angiography is indicated in patients with chronic left ventricular dysfunction and coronary artery disease, as well as for evaluation of resistant heart failure of unexplained etiology. Cardiac catheterization and myocardial biopsy may help in elucidating some more obscure etiologies of heart failure.
Descriptors		HEART FAILURE, CONGESTIVE CORONARY ANGIOGRAPHY ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY VENTRICULAR DYSFUNCTION, LEFT CORONARY DISEASE HYPERTENSION