Acute/decompensated heart failure is a clinical syndrome characterised by dyspnoea, due to rapid accumulation of fluid within the lung interstitial and alveolar spaces resulting in elevated cardiac filling pressures
= cardiogenic pulmonary oedema
- Leading cause of hospital admission in people aged >65
Aetiology
- ACS
- Valvular disease
- Hypertension
- excessive salt intake
- non compliance to medications
- acute PE
- pneumonia
- acute myocarditis
- cardiac tamponade
- aortic dissection
- cardiomyopathy
PC
*Check for risk factors
- Severe breathlessness (nausea, anxious)