Misconceptions in acute heart failure diagnosis and Management in the Emergency Department

Emergency medicine updates: Sympathetic crashing acute pulmonary edema

INTRODUCTION

Patients with heart failure exacerbation can present in a variety of ways, including sympathetic crashing acute pulmonary edema (SCAPE). Emergency physicians play a key role in the diagnosis and management of this condition.

OBJECTIVE

This narrative review evaluates key evidence-based updates concerning the diagnosis and management of SCAPE for the emergency clinician.

DISCUSSION

SCAPE is a subset of acute heart failure, defined as a patient with sudden, severe pulmonary edema and hypertension, resulting respiratory distress, and hypoxemia. This is associated with significantly elevated afterload with fluid maldistribution into the pulmonary system. Evaluation and resuscitation should occur concurrently. Laboratory assessment, electrocardiogram, and imaging should be obtained. Point-of-care ultrasound is a rapid and reliable means of confirming pulmonary edema. Management focuses on respiratory support and vasodilator administration. Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) with oxygen support is associated with reduced need for intubation, improved survival, and improved respiratory indices. If the patient does not improve or decompensates on NIPPV, endotracheal intubation is recommended. Rapid reduction in afterload is necessary, with the first-line medication including nitroglycerin. High-dose bolus nitroglycerin is safe and effective, followed by an infusion. If hypertension is refractory to NIPPV and high-dose nitroglycerin, other agents may be administered including clevidipine or nicardipine. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors such as enalaprilat are an option in those with normal renal function and resistant hypertension. Diuretics may be administered in those with evidence of systemic volume overload (e.g., cardiomegaly, peripheral edema, weight gain), but should not be routinely administered in patients with SCAPE in the absence of fluid overload. Caution is recommended in utilizing opioids and beta blockers in those with SCAPE.

CONCLUSION

An understanding of the current literature concerning SCAPE can assist emergency clinicians and improve the care of these patients.

Door-to-Diuretic Time and Short-term Outcomes in Acute Heart Failure: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Acute heart failure (AHF) is a leading cause of unplanned hospitalization, often associated with poor outcomes. Decongestion with intravenous loop diuretics is the mainstay of treatment. Metrics such as door-to-diuretic time, the time between presentation of AHF to the hospital, and administration of intravenous diuretics, may play an important role in faster decongestion and thereby reduce mortality. We sought to investigate whether early diuretic administration [door-to-diuretic (D2D) time 60 ≤mins] was associated with improved outcomes among hospitalized heart failure patients.

METHODS

A systematic search of PubMed and Scopus databases was performed from inception until June 2023. The primary endpoints were all-cause in-hospital and 30-day mortality. Secondary endpoints were the length of hospital stay and heart failure readmission. We used a random-effects model to calculate odds ratios (OR) for binary outcomes and mean differences for continuous data.

RESULTS

Our meta-analysis included 6 observational studies involving 19,916 patients. No significant differences ( P > 0.05) were observed between shorter D2D and delayed D2D time with respect to in-hospital mortality (OR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.35-1.09), 30-day mortality (OR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.51-1.33; P = 0.44), length of hospital stay (MD, -0.02; 95% CI, -0.26 to 0.22) and heart failure readmission (OR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.86-1.20).

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence from existing literature, which is largely limited to observational comparisons, highlights comparable outcomes between the 2 treatment strategies. Early diuretic administration, particularly within 60 minutes of hospital presentation, does not demonstrate any prognostic benefits.

A multidisciplinary approach to heart failure care in the hospital: improving the patient journey

Despite advancements in care for patients with heart failure (HF), morbidity and mortality remain high. Hospitalizations and readmissions for HF have been the focus of significant attention among health care providers and payers, with an eye towards reducing health care costs. However, considerable variability exists with regard to inpatient workflows and management for patients with HF, which represents a significant opportunity to improve care. Here we provide a summary of optimal inpatient management strategies for HF, focusing on the multidisciplinary team of emergency medicine providers, admitting hospitalists, cardiovascular consultants, pharmacists, nurses, and social workers. The patient journey serves as the template for this review article, from the initial presentation in the emergency department, to decongestion and stabilization, optimization of guideline-directed medical therapy, and discharge and appropriate disposition. Lastly, this review aims not to be proscriptive but rather to provide best practices that are clinically relevant and actionable, with the goal of improving care for patients during the sentinel hospitalization for HF.

Diagnosis and Management of Acute Heart Failure in Sub-Saharan Africa

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Acute heart failure (AHF) is a common emergency presentation in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). In the current review, we present the most recent data on the epidemiology of AHF in SSA and discuss recommended approaches to management in resource-limited settings, with a particular focus on primary and secondary facilities (e.g., health centers and district hospitals), where these patients often present.

RECENT FINDINGS

AHF in SSA is most often due to hypertension, cardiomyopathies, and rheumatic heart disease. The etiology of AHF may be different in rural as compared with urban settings. Diagnostic tools for AHF are often lacking in SSA, especially at the first-level facilities. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) and biomarker tests, such as brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), offer promise in helping to mitigate diagnostic challenges. POCUS can also help distinguish among types of heart failure and prompt the correct treatment strategy. Many of the drugs and equipment commonly used to treat AHF in resource-rich settings are lacking in SSA. However, some adaptations of commonly available materials may provide temporary alternatives. The epidemiology of AHF in SSA differs from that of high-income settings. Management of AHF at the first-level facility in SSA is an important and understudied problem. Simplified diagnostic and treatment algorithms rooted in knowledge of the local epidemiology should be developed and tested as part of broader efforts to combat cardiovascular disease in SSA.

Dysrhythmias and heart failure complicating acute myocardial infarction: An emergency medicine review

INTRODUCTION

Patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) may suffer several complications after the acute event, including dysrhythmias and heart failure (HF). These complications place patients at risk for morbidity and mortality.

OBJECTIVE

This narrative review evaluates literature and guideline recommendations relevant to the acute emergency department (ED) management of AMI complicated by dysrhythmia or HF, with a focus on evidence-based considerations for ED interventions.

DISCUSSION

Limited evidence exists for ED management of dysrhythmias in AMI due to relatively low prevalence and frequent exclusion of patients with active cardiac ischemia from clinical studies. Management decisions for bradycardia in the setting of AMI are determined by location of infarction, timing of the dysrhythmia, rhythm assessment, and hemodynamic status of the patient. Atrial fibrillation is common in the setting of AMI, and caution is warranted in acute rate control for rapid ventricular rate given the possibility of compensation for decreased ventricular function. Regular wide complex tachycardia in the setting of AMI should be managed as ventricular tachycardia with electrocardioversion in the majority of cases. Management directed towards HF from left ventricular dysfunction in AMI consists of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation, nitroglycerin therapy, and early cardiac catheterization. Norepinephrine is the first line vasopressor for patients with cardiogenic shock and hypoperfusion on clinical examination. Early involvement of a multi-disciplinary team is recommended when caring for patients in cardiogenic shock.

CONCLUSIONS

This review discusses considerations of ED management of dysrhythmias and HF associated with AMI.