Acutely decompensated congestive heart failure: new therapies for an old problem

Acutely decompensated heart failure is a common presentation to US emergency departments, and represents a major and increasing proportion of health burden. In contrast to chronic heart failure, where there have been numerous advances in care and corresponding decreases in morbidity and mortality, outcomes of patients with acutely decompensated heart failure have remained relatively unchanged with an approximate 10% 30-day mortality and almost 40% 1-year rehospitalization rate. This is reflected in the relative paucity of guidelines for this condition.