Insuficiência cardíaca

Abstract

Heart failure (HF) is a complex clinical syndrome, characterized by an impair the ability of the left ventricle to fill or eject blood. This is an important public health problem and the most prevalent cause of hospital admissions for cardiovascular disease, being associated with poor prognosis in more than 40% of cases. The diagnosis of this syndrome involves the history, physical examination and laboratory tests such as echocardiography and measurement of BNP. The treatment is based on non-pharmacological and pharmacological therapeutic, with great benefits in the natural history of the disease. The purpose of this review is to provide for the general physician an approach of the diagnosis and the treatment of heart failure. © Copyright Moreira Jr. Editora.