Congestive heart failure complications
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Please Take Over This Page and Apply to be Editor-In-Chief for this topic: There can be one or more than one Editor-In-Chief. You may also apply to be an Associate Editor-In-Chief of one of the subtopics below. Please mail us [2] to indicate your interest in serving either as an Editor-In-Chief of the entire topic or as an Associate Editor-In-Chief for a subtopic. Please be sure to attach your CV and or biographical sketch.
Complications of heart failure
1. Cardiac Arrhythmias
- Ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation can occur as serious complications of heart failure when its pump function is severely impaired. This further worsens the cardiac output and even possible death.
- Atrial fibrillation which is rapid beating of atrium without optimal forward pumping of blood is another complication of heart failure which occurs as a result of resistance to blood flow from atrium to ventricles. These patients are at increased risk of stroke.
- Left bundle branch block is an abnormality in electrical conduction in the heart.
2. Congestion
- Pulmonary congestion which occur in left ventricular failure can cause pulmonary edema.
- Venous stasis and pedal edema can occur as a complication of right heart failure. These conditions predispose patients to venous ulcers, infections and cellulites.
- Cardiac cirrhosis occurs as a result of hepatic venous congestion. This can lead to coma and even death [1].
3. Angina and myocardial infarction
Cardiac ischemia and infarction can also occur when heart failure patients undergo exertion.
4. Renal failure
Renal impairment can occur secondary to decreased renal perfusion. This further worsens heart failure by fluid retention.