[Diagnosis of cardiac failure]

The mere recognition of cardiac failure should not be the sole diagnostic aim. Diagnosis must also include the search for the underlying cause of cardiac failure and for its precipitating causes, as well as the assessment of its severity. Each step is essential because it contributes to the choice of an appropriate treatment. Full diagnosis take into account disease history, physical examination, electrocardiogram and chest X-ray; in addition, informations provided by cardiac echography play an increasing role in the assessment of cardiac failure.