Heart failure affects more than 6 million people in the United States, and hospitalizations for decompensated heart failure confer a heavy toll in morbidity, mortality, and health care costs. Clinical trials have demonstrated effective interventions; however, hospitalization and mortality rates remain high. Key components of effective hospital care include appropriate diagnostic evaluation, triage and risk stratification, early implementation of guideline-directed medical therapy, adequate diuresis, and appropriate discharge planning.
Use this article to:
- Review the presentation of heart failure.
- Review the appropriate use of testing in hospitalized patients with suspected heart failure.
- Can you identify the factors that indicate the need for hospitalization in patients with suspected heart failure?
- Review the management of heart failure in hospitalized patients. What should be in place for outpatient care before hospital discharge?
- Test your knowledge by completing the quiz that accompanies the article and then reviewing the correct answers.
In the Clinic is a feature of Annals of Internal Medicine which includes practical reviews about the management of common clinical conditions.
Back to the January 2024 issue of ACP IMpact