Abstract While heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is more prevalent in males, female predominance is a striking feature in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The incidence of HFpEF has been gaining alarming proportions. It has exceeded HFrEF as the primary form of heart failure, especially in the female sex. Women tend to have smaller cardiac chambers with higher left ventricular ejection fraction; however, they have more severe symptoms and signs. Until now, there is no consensus […]

A 21-year-old-man presented to the Cardiology Department. He had a history of chronic cough and functional limitation New York Heart Association class II. Physical examination was notable for cervical and axillary lymphadenopathy […]

Introduction Cardiac amyloidosis results from the deposition of amyloid fibrils in the heart’s extracellular space. This chronic and progressive disease significantly reduces quality of life and carries a high mortality rate if not diagnosed and treated early. Myocardial damage occurs due to direct injury by blood peptides, as well as architectural distortion caused by the extracellular infiltrate, leading primarily to diastolic ventricular dysfunction but also systolic dysfunction, as the disease progresses and cardiac arrhythmias emerge. The most common subtypes include […]

Abstract Background: Cardiovascular structural/functional changes caused by COVID-19 may be related to the presence of heart failure (HF), especially in children and adolescents, as the SARS-CoV-2 virus invades cardiomyocytes, leading to cardiac dysfunction. Objective: To assess the mechanism by which COVID-19 becomes a risk factor for the development of HF in children and adolescents. Methods: This was a systematic literature review of articles indexed in PubMed, BVS and SciELO, following the PRISMA recommendations. DeCS/MeSH descriptors were used in the search. […]

Abstract Despite advancements in the treatment of heart failure (HF), accurately assessing and monitoring fluid status and congestion remains a challenge. Traditional methods, including clinical evaluation, biomarker analysis, and imaging techniques, exhibit limitations in their capacity for real-time evaluation and monitoring of venous and pulmonary congestion. Lung ultrasound (LUS) detects B-lines and provides a rapid, sensitive assessment of pulmonary congestion, crucial for both acute and chronic HF management. Venous Excess Ultrasound Score (VExUS) provides a comprehensive assessment of systemic venous […]

Abstract The treatment of heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) has evolved significantly over time, with the emergence of various pharmacotherapies targeting different pathophysiological pathways. While neurohumoral antagonists like angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and beta-blockers have become first-line therapies, the main paradigm shift occurred with medications with vasodilatory effects, including the combination of hydralazine and isosorbide dinitrate (H-ISDN). Although the role of H-ISDN has been overshadowed over time, it remains significant, particularly in certain populations. With proven […]

Abstract The recognition that alterations in the regulation of the neurohormonal axis are the main factor behind the development and progression of heart failure was fundamental to constructing the pillars of therapy currently available for the treatment of this syndrome. The main objective of this review is to understand the entire historical and pharmacological process that has led neprilysin inhibition to become one of the pillars of heart failure treatment. For years, there was a gap in drug therapy for […]

Abstract Natriuretic peptides are hormones released by the heart after acute or chronic aggression. They are produced exclusively by the heart and are, therefore, specific cardiac biomarkers. Recent pivotal studies have confirmed that they are useful in the diagnostic assessment of patients with dyspnea in the emergency room, with a high predictive value in ruling out acute heart failure, and they are indicated when there are doubts in clinical examination. They are also useful as prognostic markers and in monitoring […]

Introduction Heart failure (HF) is a complex clinical syndrome that promotes a system of poor tissue perfusion in conditions of low cardiac output and elevated filling pressures, resulting in circulatory congestion and hypoperfusion. The exacerbation of this condition is responsible for 40% of consultations due to dyspnea in emergency rooms, and the main cause is worsening congestion due to poor medication adherence. In in-hospital clinical assessment, the most prevalent HF profiles are B (warm and wet) and C (cold and […]

There has been remarkable progress in the treatment of heart failure (HF) over the past years. Medications such as angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors, beta blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), often referred to as the “fantastic four,” have been shown to reduce mortality and hospitalization, in addition to improving patients’ quality of life. The natural history of the disease is characterized by recurrent episodes of decompensation and hospital admission linked to pulmonary and/or systemic congestion. Although diuretics […]