[How to detect impending cardiac insufficiency]

The characteristic leading symptoms of heart failure are a reduction in physical performance, dyspnea and the development of edema. At this point, such examinations as an ECG and determination of various laboratory parameters become mandatory. For the differential diagnostic exclusion of a pulmonary cause of respiratory distress, lung function tests and chest X-rays are needed. If heart failure is suspected clinically, echocardiography is the most important noninvasive method for identifying a cardiac functional disorder. With the aid of this examination, systolic function, diastolic filling, myocardial thickness and valve function can be evaluated. Cardiac catheterization is emportant to determine the underlying causes of heart failure and to plan therapy.