Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Implantation of Total Artificial Heart in Congenital Heart Disease
07:27

Implantation of Total Artificial Heart in Congenital Heart Disease

Published on: July 18, 2014

[Terminal heart failure]

Francesc Formiga1, Nicolás Manito, Ramón Pujol

  • 1UFISS Geriatría, Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, España. fformiga@csub.scs.es

Medicina Clinica
|March 6, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Heart failure (HF) is a progressive cardiovascular disease with high mortality. Identifying and managing end-stage HF patients is crucial for better care, as current treatments only slow progression.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Internal Medicine
  • Public Health

Context:

  • Heart failure (HF) is a growing global health concern with increasing prevalence, incidence, and mortality.
  • Current therapeutic strategies for HF offer symptomatic relief and can slow disease progression but do not provide a cure.
  • High mortality rates associated with HF persist, even at the disease's initial presentation.

Purpose:

  • To highlight the challenges in predicting the course of heart failure and identifying patients in the terminal stage of the disease.
  • To underscore the gap in perception regarding HF as a progressive, terminal illness among patients, families, and healthcare professionals.
  • To advocate for improved identification and management strategies for end-stage heart failure patients.

Summary:

  • Heart failure (HF) is characterized by relentless progression and significant mortality, with approximately 40% of deaths attributed to disease advancement.
  • The unpredictable trajectory of HF makes timely identification of the terminal stage difficult, leading to suboptimal care decisions.
  • A common misconception among patients, families, and healthcare providers is that HF is not a terminal condition, resulting in potentially futile treatments near the end of life.

Impact:

  • Improved recognition of HF as a progressive, terminal disease is essential for healthcare providers.
  • Enhanced identification of end-stage HF patients will facilitate more appropriate and compassionate care planning.
  • A shift in focus towards palliative and supportive care for terminal HF patients can improve quality of life and reduce the burden of futile interventions.

Related Concept Videos

Heart Failure I: Introduction01:27

Heart Failure I: Introduction

Heart failure refers to a clinical syndrome caused by structural or functional cardiac disorders that prevent the heart from pumping an adequate amount of blood to meet the body's metabolic needs. This condition often arises from myocardial infarction or ischemia, leading to decreased cardiac output, reduced tissue perfusion, impaired gas exchange, fluid volume imbalance, and decreased functional ability.Heart failure can result from disruptions in the mechanisms that regulate cardiac output...
Pathophysiology of Heart Failure01:17

Pathophysiology of Heart Failure

Heart failure (HF) is a progressive syndrome involving ventricles that leads to inadequate cardiac output. It can be classified based on location and output or ejection fraction. Ejection fraction (EF) is an essential measurement in the diagnosis and surveillance of HF. Reduced EF corresponds to systolic heart failure (HFrEF). However, HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is becoming increasingly prevalent. Also known as diastolic HF, this form of HF is related to aging. The...
Heart Failure IV: Classification and Diagnostic Evaluation01:30

Heart Failure IV: Classification and Diagnostic Evaluation

Heart failure can be classified in various ways, with the most common classifications based on physical activity limitations, disease progression, severity, and treatment strategies.The Functional Classification of Heart Failure divides patients into four categories based on physical activity limitation due to symptom burden.Class I: Patients in this class have cardiac disease but no physical activity limitations. Ordinary activities like walking, climbing stairs, or routine tasks do not cause...
Heart Failure III: Clinical Manifestations01:26

Heart Failure III: Clinical Manifestations

Heart failure (HF) manifests primarily as dyspnea, fatigue, and fluid retention, resulting in peripheral and pulmonary edema. Symptoms may vary depending on which ventricle is more affected, left or right.Left-Sided Heart FailureAlso known as left ventricular failure, this condition results from the left ventricle's inability to fill or eject sufficient blood into the systemic circulation. It leads to pulmonary congestion, which occurs when the left ventricle fails to eject blood effectively...
Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology01:29

Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology

Systolic Heart Failure and Compensatory MechanismsSystolic heart failure (also termed HFrEF, Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction) is the most prevalent type of heart filure. It results in a decreased volume of blood being pumped from the ventricle. The aortic arch and carotid sinuses have baroreceptors that detect reduced blood pressure, triggering the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) to release epinephrine and norepinephrine. Initially, this response aims to boost heart rate and...
Heart Failure VII: Nursing Interventions01:30

Heart Failure VII: Nursing Interventions

The first step in nursing management of a patient with heart failure involves thoroughly assessing the patient's medical history.Subjective Data: Obtain the patient's medical history of coronary artery disease, hypertension, myocardial infarction, and symptoms like dyspnea, orthopnea, and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea.Objective Data: Conduct a physical examination to identify findings such as jugular vein distention, pulmonary crackles, tachycardia, murmurs, peripheral edema, and vital signs,...