A colour handbook of heart failure : investigation, diagnosis, treatment

Using a strong evidence based approach the authors, who are heart failure specialists, aim to present a detailed overview of the syndrome of heart failure. They include the causes, pathophysiology, investigation, diagnosis and treatment (pharmacological and non-pharmacological) of heart failure with emphasis on recently-published evidence. The book is fully illustrated throughout using colour photographs, radiographic images, electrocardiograms and echocardiograms. This book will be of interest to cardiologists and general physicians in training, general practitioners, cardiac technicians and nurses, and medical students. Read more... Abstract: Using a strong evidence-based approach, the authors aim to present a detailed overview of the syndrome of heart failure. They cover diagnosis, investigation and treatment options and includes a special chapter for primary care. The text is fully illustrated in color with photos, radiographic images, diagrams, electrocardiograms and echocardiograms. Read more... Front Cover -- Contents -- Abbreviations -- Preface -- Chapter 1 Epidemiology -- What is heart failure? -- Systolic heart failure -- Diastolic heart failure -- The scope of the problem -- Incidence -- Prevalence -- Who is at risk? -- Underlying aetiology -- Risk of developing heart failure -- Effect of ethnicity -- Heart failure in the 'developing' world -- Morbidity and quality of life -- Prognosis -- The economic burden of chronic heart failure -- Summary -- Further reading -- Chapter 2 Clinical features -- Introduction -- Mode of presentation -- Symptoms of heart failure -- General -- Breathlessness -- Peripheral oedema -- Signs of heart failure -- General examination -- Cardiovascular examination -- Respiratory examination -- Abdominal examination -- Precipitating causes -- Objective confirmation -- Classification -- Complications -- Thromboembolism -- Arrhythmia -- Further reading -- Chapter 3 Pathogenesis -- Determinants of ventricular function -- Pathogenesis -- Frank-Starling law -- Neurohormonal mechanisms -- Sympathetic nervous system -- Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system -- Natriuretic peptide family -- Vasopressin -- Endothelins and nitric oxide -- Tumour necrosis factor-[alpha] -- Ventricular remodelling -- Alterations in myocyte structure and function -- Alterations in the extracellular matrix -- Summary -- Further reading -- Chapter 4 Investigations -- Introduction -- Electrocardiogram -- Chest X-ray -- Blood tests -- Full blood count -- Cardiac enzymes and cardiac troponins -- Renal function -- Liver function and thyroid function -- Brain natriuretic peptide -- Echocardiography -- Nuclear scanning -- Magnetic resonance imaging -- Cardiac catheterization -- Exercise testing -- Heart rate variability -- Further reading -- Chapter 5 Drugs affecting the renin-angiotensin- aldosterone system and diuretics -- Introduction Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors -- Mechanism of action -- Clinical benefits -- Administration of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors -- Ethnicity and ACE inhibition -- Adverse effects -- Aldosterone escape -- Angiotensin II receptor blockers -- Aldosterone antagonists -- Diuretics -- Loop diuretics -- Thiazide diuretics -- Potassium-sparing diuretics -- Adverse effects -- Diuretic resistance -- Further reading -- Chapter 6 Beta-blockers and inotropes -- Beta-blockers -- Mechanisms of action -- Studies of beta-blockers in heart failure -- Choice of beta-blocker -- Administration -- Positive inotropes -- Digoxin -- Sympathomimetics -- Phosphodiesterase inhibitors -- Summary -- Further reading -- Chapter 7 Other vasodilators: nitrates and calcium channel blockers -- Classification of vasodilators -- Principles of vasodilator therapy in heart failure -- Nitrates -- Mechanism of action -- Haemodynamic benefits -- Nitrates and heart failure -- Nitrate resistance and tolerance -- Nicorandil -- Calcium channel blockers -- Classification and mechanism of action -- Calcium channel blockers and heart failure -- Summary -- Further reading -- Chapter 8 Antiarrhythmic and antithrombotic therapy in heart failure -- Introduction -- Antiarrhythmic drug therapy in heart failure -- Atrial fibrillation -- Malignant ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death -- Antithrombotic therapy -- Patients with atrial fibrillation -- Patients with intraventricular thrombus -- Use of long-term antithrombotic agents -- Complications -- Recommendations -- Further reading -- Chapter 9 Nonpharmacological therapies for heart failure -- Introduction -- Education -- Lifestyle -- Immunization -- Antibiotics -- Exercise -- Devices for support during acute decompensation -- Assisted ventilation -- Intraaortic balloon counterpulsation Devices for long-term support of the failing ventricle -- Left ventricular assist device -- Cardiac resynchronization therapy -- Implantable cardioverter defibrillator -- Interventional approaches -- Revascularization -- Valve replacement/repair -- Heart transplantation -- Other surgical procedures -- Further reading -- Chapter 10 Heart failure in primary care -- Introduction -- Management goals -- Prevention -- Accuracy of diagnosis -- Who to refer? -- Access to echocardiography -- Open access echocardiography -- Specialist heart failure clinics -- Portable echocardiography -- Screening for asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction -- Nondrug management -- Drug treatment -- Diuretics -- Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors -- Beta-blockers -- Warfarin -- Drug counselling -- Specialist heart failure nurses -- Frequency of review -- Audit -- Further reading -- Chapter 11 The future of heart failure management -- Introduction -- Impedance cardiography -- Medical treatment -- Sildenafil -- Stem cell therapy -- Erythropoietin and intravenous iron -- Metabolic treatments -- Inhibition of sodium-hydrogen exchange -- Surgical treatments -- Antiremodelling devices -- Treatment of functional mitral regurgitation -- The total artificial heart -- The future -- Further reading -- Appendices -- Appendix A: Seminal trials -- Appendix B: Websites -- Appendix C: Classifications and guidelines -- Appendix D: Drugs used in heart failure -- Back Cover Using an evidence-based approach, the authors present a detailed overview of the syndrome of heart failure. They examine the causes, pathophysiology, investigation, diagnosis, and treatment (pharmacological and non-pharmacological) with emphasis on recently-published studies. Chapters focus on antiarrhythmic and antithrombotic therapy, beta blockers and inotropes, and other vasodilators such as nitrates and calcium channel blockers. The book is fully illustrated throughout with color photographs and radiographic, electrocardiogram, and echocardiogram images. It will be of interest to cardiologists and general physicians in training, general practitioners, cardiac technicians and nurses, and medical students. Content: Epidemiology Clinical Features Pathogenesis Investigations Drugs Affecting the Renin-Agiotensin-Aldosterone System & Diuretics Beta blockers and Inotropes Other Vasodilators: Nitrates and Calcium Channel Blockers Antiarrhythmic and Antithrombotic Therapy in Heart Failure Non Pharmacological Therapies for Heart Failure Heart Failure in Primary Care The Future of Heart Failure Management A detailed overview of the syndrome of heart failure including the causes, pathophysiology, investigation, diagnosis and treatment, with emphasis on recently-published evidence, fully illustrated throughout.