[Acute heart failure]

There are still many discussions among physicians how heart failure should be defined. Despite many suggested traditional classifications, majority of definitions circulating in clinical practice and their appropriate usage remain unclear. A new approach of acute heart failure classification suggested by European Society of Cardiology is presented in the article. Diagnostic strategy of acute heart failure as well as recommendations for prehospital and inpatient treatment of its forms (pulmonary edema and cardiogenic shock) are presented in the article. Application of new medications, recently introduced to the clinical practice for treatment of acute heart failure, is discussed.