[Pathophysiology of left heart failure with reference to hemodynamic and neurohumoral changes]

Myocardial pump deficiency is regarded to be the hemodynamic hallmark of congestive heart failure. A decline of arterial pressure in the systemic circulation is counter-regulated by vasoconstriction in the arteriolar vascular bed; the compensatory vasoconstriction, however, results in an increased afterload that in turn aggravates myocardial pump deficiency. As part of the counterregulatory systems the sympathetic nervous system is activated (increase of neuronal activity, increased plasma norepinephrine) and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system is stimulated as well (increased plasma renin activity, elevated angiotensin II serum levels, hyperaldosteronism). In parallel, serum levels of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) is despite a serum hypoosmolarity increased and only poorly compensated by release of the atrial natriuretic peptide. On the cellular level, congestive heart failure leads to a shift of the expression of contractile proteins towards to fetal forms (for instance myosin-isoenzymes). Although the counterregulatory activation of the neuroendocrine systems vasoconstricts the peripheral arteries thereby maintaining perfusion of vital organs, the rise in afterload ultimately leads to a progression of congestive heart failure. Consequently, vasodilators (such as ACE-inhibitors) that not only induce vasodilation in the peripheral arteries, but also inhibit progressive neuroendocrine stimulation evolved as excellent compounds for treating congestive heart failure.