Heart Failure Management Quiz

Study Notes

Management of Heart Failure

General Management:
- Bed rest in a propped-up position (left-hand side or right-hand side, as needed)
- Supplemental oxygen as needed
- Patient education regarding the disease, treatment, and self-care strategies
- Daily monitoring of weight to adjust diuretic medications
- Moderate aerobic exercise, limited by symptoms
- Healthy diet, avoiding high salt, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) should be avoided
Specific Therapy:
- ACE Inhibitors: Preferred over vasodilators, such as captopril, enalapril, lisinopril, remifentanil, and trandolapril
- Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs): Used if patients cannot tolerate ACE inhibitors, such as losartan, candesartan, and valsartan
- Beta-blockers: Bisoprolol, metoprolol CR/XL, carvedilol, nebivolol
- Sodium-Glucose Co-Transporter 2 (SGLT2) Inhibitors: Dapagliflozin, empagliflozin, sotagliflozin
- Angiotensin Receptor-Neprilysin Inhibitors (ARNIs): Sacubitril/valsartan (trade name Entresto)
- Ivabradine: For patients with normal sinus rhythm; when heart rate is too high, this can be a treatment option
- Diuretics:
  - Hydrochlorothiazide (50-100mg/day)
  - Furosemide, used for fluid overload
  - Potassium-sparing diuretics (spironolactone or eplerenone)
Vasodilators:
- Organic nitrates (venodilators)
- Arterial dilators (hydrazoline)
Treatment of Complications:
- Digoxin for atrial fibrillation
- Amiodarone for arrhythmias
- Anticoagulants for atrial fibrillation, previous thromboembolic events, or cardiac clots seen on an echocardiogram
Avoidance and Treatment of Underlying Causes:
- Treat Infections
- Influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations
- Aggressive management of hypertension
- Diabetes management
- Anemia correction
- Valve repair or replacement, if needed, for valvular heart disease (VHD)
- Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) procedure for ischemic heart disease (IHD)
Cardiac Rehabilitation:
- Regular stamina-building exercises (brisk walking, swimming)
Procedural Interventions:
- Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) with biventricular pacing

Description

Test your knowledge on heart failure treatments and lifestyle modifications. This quiz covers first-line medications, lifestyle changes, and advanced therapies like Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy. Enhance your understanding of managing heart failure effectively.