Acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) is a leading cause for emergency department visits. It is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Patients with ADHF often present with worsening symptoms or signs of dyspnea, fatigue, or edema leading to hospital admission or unscheduled medical care. Because of the heterogeneous nature of ADHF, no single finding is conclusive for diagnosis.

This educational series presents four topics designed to examine the clinical management strategies for these patients, based on the current medical evidence. Incorporating case-based lessons, these activities focus on the diagnosis and treatment of patients admitted to the emergency department with ADHF and follows them through to the cardiologist’s care and eventually discharge.

Target Audience

Emergency Room Physicians, Cardiologist and other interested healthcare professionals

• Describe the newest developments
  in early HF diagnosis, including recent insights with natriuretic peptide assay and digital heart sound analysis
   
• Discuss the principals of risk stratification in patients presenting with ADHF, including specific
  high- and low-risk outcome predictors
   
• Analyze the current treatment options, their advantages and risks, as well as identify the consequences of delayed or erroneous therapy
   
• Evaluate patient characteristics
  and therapeutic responses that determine appropriate level of care required for optimal outcomes in specific patients