Heart Function

Heart failureHeart failure is a clinical syndrome that manifests from the failure of the heart to supply blood to the systemic circulation with or without elevated central venous filling pressures and resulting in classical signs and symptoms. Echocardiography is the key initial diagnostic modality. Further investigations are guided by the suspected underlying etiology. Etiologies can be congenital or acquired but are multiple and diverse. The approach to the childChildren with heart failureHeart failure should be considered in a stepwise fashion in terms of both investigation and treatment. The common underlying pathophysiology of activation of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) leading to a combination of myocardial injury and maladaptive process in response to neurohormonal activation also leads to the common treatment strategies. Medical heart failureHeart failure therapy includes establishment of guideline directed medical therapyGuideline directed medical therapy (GDMT) to promote reverse remodeling with a goal to improve quality of life and survivalSurvival. Acute decompensated heart failureHeart failure (ADHF) may require short-term intravenous inotropic support, non-invasive or invasive ventilation and/or mechanical support as a bridge to recovery or decision-making.