Heart Failure: Right-Sided Heart Failure

When evaluating patients for left-sided heart failure (HF), physicians should consider right-sided HF as well. There is significant crossover in symptoms, and these conditions frequently are seen together. Common causes of acute right-sided HF include pulmonary embolism and hypoxemia. Pulmonary hypertension is a common cause of chronic right-sided HF. Given the physiology of the right side of the heart, management of underlying conditions is vital to restoring function regardless of whether the right-sided HF is acute or chronic. It is important to consider fluid status, preload and afterload, in management. In situations in which medical management is ineffective, temporary mechanical circulatory support can be considered, as well as evaluation for heart and/or lung transplantation.