Acute heart failure.

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Internal Medicine
• Clinical Science

Background:

• Acute heart failure (AHF) is characterized by new onset or worsening heart failure symptoms, primarily systemic congestion.
• AHF arises from underlying cardiac dysfunction, precipitated by various factors, or de novo cardiac events like acute coronary syndromes.
• The heterogeneous pathophysiology of AHF, involving ventricular dysfunction and congestion, leads to organ hypoperfusion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the limitations of current symptomatic treatments for AHF.
• To highlight the unmet need for individualized in-hospital management of AHF.
• To emphasize the importance of targeting causative factors and post-discharge care for improved long-term outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Review of AHF pathophysiology and current treatment paradigms.
• Analysis of factors contributing to AHF presentation and heterogeneity.
• Evaluation of treatment outcomes, including mortality and readmission rates.

Main Results:

• AHF presents with diverse underlying causes and precipitating factors, resulting in heterogeneous pathophysiology.
• Current AHF management is primarily symptomatic, focusing on decongestion.
• Despite treatment, AHF is associated with high mortality and hospital readmission rates.

Conclusions:

• There is a critical need for personalized AHF management strategies.
• Treatments should address causative factors and extend beyond hospital discharge.
• Individualized care is essential to improve long-term outcomes and reduce AHF-related mortality and morbidity.