Management of Heart Failure in Infancy and Childhood

Abstract

Heart failure is a complex state of cardiac muscle dysfunction in which ventricular ejection from left ventricle to aorta and right vcntrjclc to pulmonary artery is insufficient to empty the pulmonary and systemic venous respervoirs’. Thc consequence of such a state is an increase in the systemic and pulmonary venous blood volumes and pressures. In—sufficient right ventric ular ejection causes an increased systcmic veno us return with elevation of pressure in the right atrium and peripheral veins. Blood gasses, urine output, systemic blood pressure and left atrial pressure should be monit ored to maintain fluid balance and evaluate response to the therapy.