Heart Failure Drug Therapy

Written by Zhang Yue Mei

Cardiology

Updated on September 17, 2024

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Due to some myocardial diseases that cause damage to the myocardium, or other reasons that increase the heart's load, heart failure may occur. Clinical treatment involves strengthening the heart and promoting diuresis, improving blood vessel function, increasing the heart’s contractility, reducing the heart’s resistance, and decreasing the volume of blood returning to the heart. Through these effective drug treatments, heart failure can be corrected. Patients with heart failure should avoid excessive fatigue and maintain a low-salt diet to prevent increasing the burden on the heart.

Other Voices

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Written by Zhang Lu

Obstetrics

53sec

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Can childbirth lead to heart failure?

Childbirth refers to the delivery of a fetus through vaginal delivery or cesarean section, and it represents a significant strain on a woman’s heart. Regardless of the type of delivery, there is a possibility of leading to heart failure to some extent. Especially during the second stage of labor, pregnant women often exert greater effort, significantly increasing the load on the heart. If there is poor heart function or pre-existing cardiac disease, it could lead to heart failure. In some cases, if the heart disease is severe and cannot withstand delivery, a cesarean section must be chosen. However, cesarean delivery can also lead to heart failure, mainly due to a large amount of blood flowing back to the peripheral circulation from the uterus after the fetus is delivered, causing a significant increase in the preload on the heart and easily leading to the onset of heart failure.

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Written by Zhang Yue Mei

Cardiology

36sec

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What causes acute heart failure?

Acute heart failure can occur in diseases of the heart itself, as well as in other serious diseases that lead to heart failure. Common cardiac diseases include severe arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy, and myocardial infarction. If these diseases are not well treated, they can cause acute heart failure. Other diseases can be seen in cases such as drug poisoning, severe anemia, severe infection, and during the treatment of other diseases when excessive use of fluids increases the burden on the heart, leading to acute heart failure.

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Written by Wei Shi Liang

Intensive Care Unit

49sec

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Why does heart failure cause edema?

Edema caused by heart failure is mainly due to heart dysfunction, resulting in systemic circulation, venous congestion, and excessive fluid accumulation in the body's tissue spaces. The primary cause is right heart failure or total heart failure, and some special cases of pericarditis. The edema caused by this type of heart failure is often symmetrical, indenting, and sagging, and usually worsens with activity and lessens with rest. The common locations for fluid accumulation are in the sacral and perineal areas, while bedridden patients often show it in the ankle area. In severe cases, patients may experience generalized edema, and even develop ascites and pleural effusion. This condition is known as heart failure, and the type of edema it causes is called cardiogenic edema.

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Written by Zhou Yan

Geriatrics

1min 22sec

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Triggers of acute heart failure

The triggers of acute heart failure include the following aspects: Respiratory infections are the most common and important trigger, and infective endocarditis is also not uncommon. However, due to its concealed onset, it is easily underdiagnosed. The second is arrhythmia, among which atrial fibrillation is one of the most common arrhythmias in organic heart disease and is also an important factor leading to heart failure. Additionally, rapid arrhythmias can also cause acute heart failure. The third is an increase in blood volume, such as excessive salt intake or excessive or rapid intravenous fluid administration. The fourth is excessive physical exertion or emotional excitement, such as during late pregnancy or childbirth. The fifth aspect is improper treatment, inappropriate use of diuretics or antihypertensive drugs, which can also trigger an episode of acute heart failure. Furthermore, whether it is an exacerbation of existing heart disease or complications with other diseases, such as coronary heart disease with myocardial infarction, rheumatic disease becoming active, or complications with hyperthyroidism or anemia, can all cause acute heart failure.

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Written by Wang Li Bing

Intensive Care Medicine Department

1min 21sec

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How is acute heart failure treated?

Acute heart failure presents with significant respiratory distress and symptoms of hypoxia. Immediate intervention is necessary to alleviate breathing difficulties. Clinically, the following measures are generally adopted: First, position the patient to sit up with legs dangling to decrease venous return to the heart. Second, administer high-flow oxygen through a nasal cannula, and if necessary, proceed with endotracheal intubation and ventilator support. Third, administer morphine subcutaneously or intravenously to reduce agitation and myocardial oxygen demand. Fourth, use rapid diuretics, such as furosemide. Fifth, utilize vasodilators such as nitroglycerin or nitroprusside. Sixth, use positive inotropic agents such as dopamine or dobutamine as appropriate. Seventh, employ digitalis drugs, but avoid use in acute myocardial infarction within the first 24 hours. Eighth, consider using an intra-aortic balloon pump or other cardiopulmonary support systems, etc., and after stabilization of acute heart failure, further treat the underlying cause, etc. (Use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)