Managing Heart Failure

By Lacey Buckler, RN, ACNP-BC, MSNNursing made Incredibly Easy! May/June 20092.5 ANCC contact hoursOnline: www.nursingcenter.com

© 2009 by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All world rights reserved.

Statistics

Leading cause of hospitalization

50% of patients with heart failure over a 4-year period will die of the disease

287,000 people die annually of heart failure

40% of patient’s admitted to the hospital die or are readmitted within 1 year

Definition

The heart’s inability to pump enough blood to meet the body’s oxygen and nutrient demands

Can be systolic or diastolic, left- or right-sided, acute or chronic

Types

Systolic (pumping problem)—inability of the heart to contract to provide enough blood flow forward

Diastolic (filling problem)—inability of the left ventricle to relax normally, resulting in fluid back up into the lungs

Left-sided—inability of the left ventricle to pump enough blood, causing fluid back up into the lungs

Right-sided—inefficient pumping of the right side of the heart, causing fluid buildup in the abdomen, legs, and feet

Acute vs. Chronic

Acute—an emergency situation in which a patient was completely asymptomatic before the onset of heart failure; seen in acute heart injury such as MI

Chronic—long-term syndrome in which a patient exhibits symptoms over a long period of time, usually as a result of a preexisting cardiac condition

Conditions That Can Lead to Heart Failure

Coronary artery disease—primary cause of heart failure in 60% of patients

Cardiomyopathy—disease of the myocardium; three types: dilated, hypertrophic, and restrictive

Hypertension—increases cardiac workload, leads to hypertrophy

Valvular heart disease—increases pressure within the heart and cardiac workload

Picturing Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Picturing Left Ventricular Hypertrophy

Other Conditions That Contribute to Heart Failure

Increased metabolic rate

Iron overload

Hypoxia

Severe anemia

Electrolyte abnormalities

Cardiac dysrhythmias

Diabetes

Left-Sided Heart Failure Signs & Symptoms

Dyspnea

Unexplained cough

Pulmonary crackles

Low oxygen saturation

Third heart sound

Reduced urine output

Altered digestion

Dizziness and light-headedness

Confusion

Restlessness and anxiety

Fatigue and weakness

Right-Sided Heart Failure Signs & Symptoms

Lower extremity edema

Liver enlargement

Ascites

Anorexia

Abdominal pain

Nausea

Weight gain

Weakness

Diagnostic Tests

Medical history and physical exam

Brain natriuretic peptide measurement

Lab tests: complete blood cell count, metabolic panel, liver function studies, and urinalysis

Other tests: thyroid function tests and fasting lipid profile

Diagnostic Tests

Echocardiogram to assess ejection fraction (EF)

Chest X-ray ECG Cardiac stress test Cardiac

catheterization Cardiac computed

tomography scan or magnetic resonance imaging

Radionuclide ventriculography

Ambulatory ECG monitoring (Halter monitor)

Pulmonary function tests

Heart biopsy Exercise testing (6-

minute walk)

Staging & Severity

After all data are gathered, cause and classification can be determined and an appropriate treatment plan

Two well-accepted classification systems used: ACC/AHA stages of heart failure and NYHA functional classifications

Managing The Stages

Stage A identifies patients at high risk for heart failure because of conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity.• Treat each comorbidity according to current evidence-based guidelines.

Stage B includes patients with structural heart disease, such as left ventricular remodeling, left ventricular hypertrophy, or previous MI, but no symptoms.• Provide all appropriate therapies in Stage A.• Focus on slowing the progression of ventricular remodeling and delaying the onset of heart failure symptoms.• Strongly recommended in appropriate patients: Treat with ACE inhibitors or beta-blockers unless contraindicated; these drugs delay the onset of symptoms and decrease the risk of death and hospitalization.

Managing The Stages Stage C includes patients with past or current heart

failure symptoms associated with structural heart disease such as advanced ventricular remodeling.• Use appropriate treatments for Stages A and B.• Modify fluid and dietary intake.• Use additional drug therapies, such as diuretics, aldosterone inhibitors, and ARBs in patients who can’t tolerate ACE inhibitors, digoxin, and vasodilators.• Treat with nonpharmacologic measures such as biventricular pacing, an ICD, and valve or revascularization surgery.• Avoid drugs known to cause adverse reactions in symptomatic patients, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, most antiarrhythmics, and calcium channel blockers.• Administer anticoagulation therapy to patients with a history of previous embolic event, paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation, familial dilated cardiomyopathy, and underlying disorders that may increase the risk of thromboembolism.

Managing The Stages

Stage D includes patients with refractory advanced heart failure having symptoms at rest or with minimal exertion and frequently requiring intervention in the acute setting because of clinical deterioration.

• Improve cardiac performance.• Facilitate diuresis.• Promote clinical stability.

Achieving these goals may require I.V. diuretics, inotropic support (milrinone, dobutamine, or dopamine), or vasodilators (nitroprusside, nitroglycerin, or nesiritide). As heart failure progresses, many patients can no longer tolerate ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers due to renal dysfunction and hypotension and may need supportive therapy to sustain life (a left ventricular assist device, continuous I.V. inotropic therapy, experimental surgery or drugs, or a heart transplant) or end-of-life or hospice care.

IHI Treatment Bundle

Assessment of left ventricular systolic function

An ACE or an ARB when left ventricular EF is less than 40%

Anticoagulant if patient has atrial fibrillation

Smoking cessation counseling

Discharge instructions: activity, diet, medications, weight monitoring, reportable symptoms, follow-up appointments

Seasonal flu shot

Pneumococcal vaccine

Optional beta-blocker therapy

Three Basic Treatment Strategies

Pharmacologic management

Devices and surgical management

Lifestyle management

Pharmacologic Management

Foundation is the ACE inhibitor

• Improves ventricular function• Improves patient well-being• Reduces hospitalization• Increases survival

If the patient is unable tolerate an ACE inhibitor, an ARB can be used

A beta-blocker should be started on all patients with an EF less than 40% due to mortality benefit shown in randomized control trials

Pharmacologic Management

An aldosterone antagonist may be added for patients whose EF is less than 35% and who are on an adequate ACE inhibitor

Other drugs: hydralazine/isorbide, diuretics, and digoxin

Devices and Surgical Management

First option if the cause of heart failure can be treated surgically

Several therapeutic options: pacing, an ICD, a ventricular assist device, an artificial heart, or a heart transplant

Pacing or resynchronization therapy is recommended for patients with NYHA Class III or IV with QRS prolongation who are experiencing symptoms despite medications

Devices and Surgical Management

An ICD may be used in patients with arrhythmias to prevent sudden cardiac death

A left ventricular assist device may be used as a bridge to transplant or destination therapy

End-stage heart failure patients may consider heart transplant

Lifestyle Management

Adherence to treatment regime

Symptom recognition

Weight monitoring

Diet and nutrition

Fluid intake

Alcohol and smoking cessation

Physical activity

Nursing Interventions

Administer medications and monitor response

Weigh the patient daily at the same time on the same scale, early in the day after urination; report a 2 to 3 lb gain in a day or 5 lbs in a week to the healthcare provider

Auscultate lung sounds

Monitor vital signs

Identify and evaluate edema severity

Examine skin turgor

Patient Teaching

The disorder, diagnosis, and treatment

Signs and symptoms of worsening heart failure

When to notify the healthcare provider

The importance of follow-up care

The need to avoid high-sodium foods

The need to avoid fatigue

Patient Teaching

Instructions about fluid restrictions

The need for the patient to weigh himself every morning at the same time, before eating and after urinating, to keep a record of his weight, and to report a weight gain of 3 to 5 lbs in 1 week

The importance of smoking cessation, if appropriate

Medication dosage, administration, adverse reactions, and monitoring