[Acute events in heart failure]

Patients with chronic heart failure are fragile patients who may have acute worsening of heart failure. Major acute events are heart failure decompensation, arrhythmia or conduction disturbance. Acute pulmonary edema is an acute complication, easily managed by nitrates. A cause of worsening heart failure must always be searched. Sudden cardiac death is the most severe complication, mainly related to ventricular tachycardia but sometimes related to severe conduction disturbance or asystole. Biological complications are also possible, such as renal failure or hypo- or hyperkalemia. Regular, clinical and biological monitoring is mandatory with, if needed, therapeutic management in order to avoid such acute events.