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Pathophysiology of Heart Failure

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Managing Heart Failure in Primary Care: A Case Study Approach

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Abstract

Heart failure is the failure of the heart to pump enough blood to meet the body’s demands. It has evolved from being globally referred to as “congestive heart failure” to the current terminology of Heart Failure with reduced Ejection Fraction (HFrEF), Heart Failure with midrange Ejection Fraction (HFmrEF), and Heart Failure with preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF). By distinguishing the types of heart failure by ejection fraction, it has set the stage for providing more specific guidelines for treatment. This opening chapter focuses on the pathophysiology of heart failure which includes a complex interplay between the heart, the systemic and pulmonary vasculatures, the sympathetic nervous system, and the kidneys. While each system attempts to correct the problem, the neurohormonal responses from the sympathetic nervous system and the kidneys only succeed in perpetuating a vicious downward cycle of heart failure. Understanding the complex pathophysiology heart failure provides the foundation for understanding the research-based treatment protocols that guide the management of complex heart failure patients.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, Nashville, TN, USA

    Joan King

  2. Vanderbilt Preanesthesia Evaluation Clinic, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA

    Joan King

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  1. Joan King
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Correspondence to Joan King .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Assistant Professor, Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, Nashville, TN, USA

    K. Melissa Smith Hayes

  2. Director, Structural Heart Program, Director, Center for Advanced Heart Failure Therapy, Centennial Heart, Nashville, TN, USA

    Nicole R. Dellise

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King, J. (2023). Pathophysiology of Heart Failure. In: Hayes, K.M.S., Dellise, N.R. (eds) Managing Heart Failure in Primary Care: A Case Study Approach. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-20193-6_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-20193-6_1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-20192-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-20193-6

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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