Congestive heart failure

Congestive heart failure, abbreviated CHF, is a clinical diagnosis that is often due to coronary atherosclerosis; however, there are a large number of potential causes.

Pictorial representation of what happens in congestive heart failure. (WC/NIH)

Pitting edema - a manifestation of congestive heart failure. (WC/James Heilman)

General

• Clinical diagnosis.

Clinical

Symptoms:

• Fatigue.
• Dyspnea.
• Cough.
• Leg swelling.

Signs:

• Pitting edema.
• Pleural effusion.
• Ascites.
• Elevated JVP.

Treatment - LMNOP:

• Lasix (furosemide).
• Morphine.
• Nitrates.
• Oxygen.
• Position (elevate head).

Causes

• Coronary atherosclerosis.
• Calcific aortic stenosis.
• Interstitial lung disease.
• Congenital heart disease.
• Cardiomyopathy.
• Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.
• Others.

See also

• Atherosclerosis
• Plume of froth.