Pathophysiology, Risk Factors, and Management of Chronic Heart Failure

Chronic Heart Failure: Pathophysiology, Risk Factors, and Mechanisms provides an overview of CHF, focusing on epidemiology, classification, molecular mechanisms, pathophysiology, causes, identification, and interactions. It uses 2D and 3D speckle tracking echocardiography to quantify regional alterations of longitudinal strain and area strain, which can identify subclinical cardiac failure. The book is a valuable reference for researchers and practicing clinicians, proposing novel methods of research and discussing the need for early diagnosis and therapies.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 410 pages
Publication date: 01 February 2024
Publisher: Elsevier Science Publishing Co Inc

Chronic Heart Failure (CHF) is a complex cardiovascular condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Understanding the pathophysiology, risk factors, and mechanisms of CHF is crucial for effective management and treatment. This book aims to provide an inclusive overview on CHF, covering various aspects such as epidemiology, classification, molecular mechanisms, pathophysiology, causes, identification, and interactions.

Epidemiology:

CHF is a prevalent condition, with an estimated global prevalence of approximately 62.9 million people in 2015. The incidence and prevalence of CHF vary significantly across different regions and populations, with higher rates observed in older individuals, men, and individuals with underlying cardiovascular diseases such as coronary artery disease, hypertension, and diabetes.

Classification:

CHF is classified based on its underlying cause, symptoms, and clinical presentation. The most common classification system is the New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification, which categorizes CHF into four stages: stage I, II, III, and IV. Each stage represents a different level of severity and symptoms.

Molecular Mechanisms:

CHF is characterized by various molecular mechanisms that contribute to its development and progression. These mechanisms include myocardial injury, inflammation, fibrosis, and electrical dysregulation. Understanding these mechanisms is essential for developing targeted therapies and interventions.

Pathophysiology:

CHF occurs when the heart is unable to pump sufficient blood to meet the body's metabolic demands. This can be due to a variety of factors, including coronary artery disease, heart valve disease, heart muscle disease, and genetic conditions. The pathophysiology of CHF involves a complex interplay between various cardiovascular systems, including the heart, blood vessels, and lungs.

Causes:

The causes of CHF can be categorized into structural, functional, and genetic factors. Structural factors include coronary artery disease, heart valve disease, and heart muscle disease, while functional factors include heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Genetic factors can also contribute to the development of CHF.

Identification:

Identification of CHF is crucial for timely diagnosis and appropriate management. Common symptoms of CHF include fatigue, shortness of breath, swelling in the legs and ankles, and irregular heart rhythms. Diagnostic tests such as echocardiography, cardiac MRI, and cardiac CT can help identify the underlying cause of CHF and assess the severity of the condition.

Interactions:

CHF is a complex condition that involves interactions between various cardiovascular systems and other organs. It can also have significant social and economic implications, affecting individuals' quality of life and healthcare costs. Understanding the interactions between CHF and other conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and depression is essential for comprehensive management.

Uncertainties and Issues:

Despite significant advancements in the understanding and management of CHF, there are still many uncertainties and issues that need to be addressed. These include the optimal management strategies for different stages of CHF, the role of lifestyle modifications and exercise training in preventing CHF, and the development of new and effective therapies.

Strain Analysis:

Speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) is a novel technique that has been used to quantify regional alterations of longitudinal strain and area strain through their polar projection. This allows a further evaluation of both the site and extent of myocardial damage in CHF. The analysis of strain can identify subclinical cardiac failure (myocyte remodelling), which is a major issue in CHF. Myocardial strain, measured by STE, is frequently attenuated in these conditions and can be utilized for the evaluation of disease progression and the effect of therapeutic interventions as well as prevention because it could be a manifestation of behavioural risk factors.

Conclusion:

CHF is a complex cardiovascular condition that requires comprehensive understanding and management. This book aims to provide an inclusive overview on CHF, covering various aspects such as epidemiology, classification, molecular mechanisms, pathophysiology, causes, identification, and interactions. By helping readers understand the physiopathology of CHF in the light of behavioural risk factors, this title will function as an essential reference to both researchers and practicing clinicians. It will propose novel methods of research by using behavioural and environmental risk factors as intervention agents, as well as discussing deficiency in the present approaches in management of HF and proposing new methods of early diagnosis and therapies for the clinical management of CHF.

Dimension: 276 x 215 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780128229729