Left-sided heart failure

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Heart, section through the middle

Left-sided heart failure

Alternative Names:

Congestive heart failure - left
Treatment:

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The goals of treatment include treating the underlying disease, relieving stress on the heart and minimizing symptoms and risks of worsening heart failure.

Consultation with a heart specialist is recommended.
Hospitalization may be required when symptoms are severe.
Treatment of underlying disease may include opening blocked heart arteries by either cardiac catheterization or bypass surgery, treatment of high blood pressure, or avoidance of heart toxins such as alcohol.
Decreasing salt intake, avoiding alcohol and doing moderate exercise as tolerated are recommended.
Diuretics (medication to accelerate removal of body water) such as furosemide (Lasix) or spironolactone (Aldactone) are given to treat fluid retention
Medications to decrease heart stress, such as beta blockers and ACE inhibitors, are also given. These medications also prevent further muscle damage and scarring, especially when the heart muscle is weak.
Digoxin may be given to increase muscle strength and slow down abnormally fast heart rates.

In severe cases, IV medications are given to promote water removal and to increase heart pumping function.

A number of studies have shown that heart failure symptoms can be improved with a special type of pacemaker. It paces both the right and left sides of heart. This is referred to as biventricular pacing or cardiac resynchronization therapy. Ask your provider if you are a candidate for this.

In very severe cases in which medicines alone are not sufficient, mechanical devices to assist the left heart in pumping blood can be implanted. Heart transplantation may need to be performed based upon availability of a donor heart.

Expectations (prognosis):

Heart failure is a serious disorder that carries a possibility of reduced life expectancy. Prognosis depends upon the underlying disorder, and the age and tolerated level of activity of the patient.

In many cases, there is little chance for full recovery of heart function. However, many forms of heart failure are well controlled with medication and can remain stable for many years with occasional exacerbations of symptoms.

Complications:

Pulmonary edema
Total failure of the heart to function (circulatory collapse)
Abnormal heart rhythms
Side effects of medications
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Lightheadedness, fainting
- Headache
- Chronic cough
- Low electrolyte levels
- Difficulty with sexual intercourse

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if symptoms indicating congestive heart failure occur.

Call your health care provider or get to the emergency room if symptoms are severe or if you experience chest pain, weakness, fainting, rapid or irregular heartbeat, increased cough or sputum production, sudden weight gain, or swelling.

Call your baby's health care provider if the infant has weight loss, poor feeding, or does not appear to be growing or developing normally.