Congestive Heart Failure Exacerbation Management
Aka: Congestive Heart Failure Exacerbation Management, Cardiogenic Shock, Acute Pulmonary Edema Management, Acute Decompensated Congestive Heart Failure, Acute Heart Failure, CHF Exacerbation Management
II. Indications
- Acute Pulmonary Edema secondary to CHF exacerbation
III. Epidemiology
- Heart Failure exacerbations account for 1 million hospitalizations/year
- Account for 80% of all ED based admissions
- Account for most of the $40 billion spent on Heart Failure annually
- Rehospitalization or death in up to one third of patients within 90 days of Heart Failure hospitalization
- As many as 25% of patients are re-admitted in the first month
- Medicare penalizes facilities for readmissions within 30 days
- Early follow-up after CHF admission is critical (see below)
IV. Pathophysiology
- Congestive Heart Failure results in decreased Stroke Volume and Cardiac Output
- Decreased renal perfusion results in volume retention
- However only 50% of pulmonary edema patients are volume overloaded
- Decreased organ perfusion also stimulates other compensatory mechanisms
- Norepinephrine release results in increased Blood Pressure and cadiac output
- Renin Angiotensin-aldosterone stimulation results in salt retention and increased vascular tone
- Redistribution of fluids
- Acute blood release from Spleen can rapidly deploy up to 800 ml fluid which may accumulate in the lungs
V. History
VI. Exam
VII. Labs
- Complete Blood Count
- Evaluate for Anemia or underlying infection
- Comprehensive metabolic panel
- Correct Hypokalemia
- Consider empiric Magnesium Sulfate (especially if hypokalemic)
- Serum Magnesium level does not reflect true intracellular Magnesium depletion
- Troponin I
- Evaluate differential diagnosis for Acute Coronary Syndrome
- Troponin Is increased in many cases of Acute Heart Failure (and in most cases if high sensitivity Troponin Is used)
- Persistently elevated Troponin at Day 2 (compared with admission Troponin) is associated with a worse prognosis
- B-Type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP or nt-BNP)
- Most helpful for its Negative Predictive Value (CHF is less likely with a normal BNP)
- Typically over-utilized, and may add little to diagnosis not available with other findings
- May be useful when an established “dry” baseline has been set for comparison and for risk stratification
- History, Exam and Bedside Ultrasound are often more effective tools in CHF evaluation
- Trending does not offer benefit over usual care for inpatient CHF management
VIII. Diagnostics
- See Systolic Dysfunction
- Electrocardiogram
- Chest XRay
- See Chest XRay in Congestive Heart Failure
- Normal in 19% of Acute Heart Failure cases
- Excludes alternative diagnoses (e.g. Pneumonia)
- Bedside Ultrasound or Echocardiogram
- Cardiac Impedance (Impedance Cardiography)
- Noninvasive ICU monitoring devices (skin leads) that may be available in some Emergency Departments
- Estimates Cardiac Output, Stroke Volume and peripheral vascular resistance
- May assist in distinguishing between Preload and Afterload problems, and systolic and Diastolic Dysfunction
IX. Causes: Acute reversible causes of decompensated shock
- See Systolic Heart Failure
- See Heart Failure Causes
- Acute dysrhythmia (e.g. Atrial Fibrillation with rapid ventricular rate)
- Acute Myocardial Infarction (or Unstable Angina)
- Large anterior Myocardial Infarction (>40% of left ventricle involved)
- Right ventricular infarction with right Heart Failure and secondary left Heart Failure
- Papillary muscle rupture (with secondary severe valvular insufficiency)
- Acute valvular lesion (rare, but potentially catastrophic)
- Acute Viral Myocarditis (esp. young patients)
- Uncontrolled Hypertension (Hypertensive Crisis)
- Hypothyroidism
- Excess Intravenous Fluid administration
- Non-compliance is most common cause
- Noncompliance with chronic CHF medications
- Excess dietary Sodium intake
- Medications that Exacerbate Heart Failure
- NSAIDs
- Glitazones
- Excess dosing of newly started medication (e.g. Calcium Channel Blocker, Beta Blocker)
- High output Heart Failure Causes
- Severe Anemia
- Hyperthyroidism
- Septic Shock
X. Differential Diagnosis: Acute Congestive Heart Failure Exacerbation
- See Dyspnea Causes
- COPD Exacerbation
- Pneumonia
- Consider the use of Procalcitonin to exclude Pneumonia when the Chest XRay is non-diagnostic
- Acute Coronary Syndrome
- Pulmonary Embolism
- Pneumothorax
- Acute Renal Failure
- High Altitude Pulmonary Edema
- Medication induced pulmonary edema (Opiates, Naloxone)
XI. Precautions
- Cardiogenic pulmonary edema presents most commonly without Fluid Overload
- Management focus should be on fluid redistribution, not diuresis
- Even those who are Fluid Overloaded (e.g. missed Diuretics, Dialysis) stabilize with fluid redistribution
- Fluid redistribution is the key strategy for Acute Heart Failure
- Regardless of whether it is due to Systolic Dysfunction or Diastolic Dysfunction
- Approach to fluid redistribution
- Decrease Preload (Nitroglycerin, BIPAP or CPAP)
- Decrease Afterload (ACE Inhibitor)
- Identify and specifically treat acute pulmonary edema due to non-Heart Failure cause
- Acute Coronary Syndrome
- Acute Renal Failure
- Arrhythmia (e.g. Atrial Fibrillation with rapid ventricular rate)
- Acute valvular catastrophe (presents with new regurgitation murmur)
- Rapidly disposition patients with Cardiogenic Shock to an optimal cardiac care setting
- Large Myocardial Infarction affecting the left ventricle is the common cause of Cardiogenic Shock
- Emergency department is for acute stabilization, but not ideal for definitive Cardiogenic Shock management
- Involve early cardiology, cath lab, cardiothoracic surgery, intensivists to expedite disposition
- Aspirin and Unfractionated Heparin if suspected underlying Myocardial Infarction
- Defer Platelet ADP Receptor Antagonist (e.g. Plavix) to cardiology
XII. Preparations: Preload Reduction
- Nitroglycerin (see above)
- Most rapid method to reduce Congestive Heart Failure symptoms
- Reduces both Afterload and most significantly Preload
- Appears safe in acute pulmonary edema and severe Aortic Stenosis, but Exercise caution
- High dose (hypertensive Acute Heart Failure)
- Clinician should remain at bedside during this phase of administration
- Start: 0.4 mg sublingual every 3-5 minutes
- Next: High dose Nitroglycerin Drip (50-150 mcg/min) IV
- Significantly higher dosing that the typical 0.3 to 0.5 mcg/kg/min (10-25 mcg/min) infusion
- Expert opinion recommends starting IV Nitroglycerin at 100-150 mcg/min
- Next: Taper to 10-20 mcg/min as Hypoxia and pulmonary edema improve
- Titrate in 50 mcg increments every 10-15 minutes
- Lower dose (normotensive Acute Heart Failure)
- Nitroglycerin Ointment (0.5 to 1 inch)
- Most rapid method to reduce Congestive Heart Failure symptoms
- BIPAP (or CPAP)
- Consider starting with higher pressures (e.g. 20/15) with 100% FIO2
- Reduces work of breathing and opens alveoli
- Increases intrathoracic pressure and decreases venous return
- Improves Dyspnea and may avert Endotracheal Intubation
- Consider Dexmedetomidine (Precedex) if difficulty tolerating BIPAP or CPAP
- Sedative without respiratory depression (similar to Ketamine)
- Alpha Adrenergic Central Agonist (similar to Clonidine)
XIII. Preparations: Afterload Reduction
- ACE Inhibitor
- Enalapril (Enalaprilat, Vasotec) 1.25 mg IV over 5 minutes or Captopril 12.5 to 25 mg sublingual
- Single dose for acute Afterload reduction (onset of action within 15 minutes)
- Start after the Nitroglycerin is tapered to lower dose (10-20 mcg/min)
- No evidence for Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARB)
- Nicardipine
- Offers pure arterial vasodilation, but Hypotension may take some time to resolve after stopping
- Clevidipine offers similar activity as Nicardipine with more rapid resolution of Hypotension on stopping
- Not widely used due to very high cost, but may be considered once generic
- Fenoldopam
- Dopamine-1 Agonist (without Dopamine-2 or alpha effects)
- Vasodilates peripherally as well as at the Kidney and Spleen (thereby preserving Renal Function)
- Nitroglycerin (see above)
- Rapid onset of effect, easily titrated, and Hypotension resolves readily on stopping infusion
XIV. Preparations: Furosemide (Lasix) or other Loop Diuretic
- Indications
- Administered after Preload and Afterload reduction as above, IF Fluid Overloaded
- Fewer than 50% of CHF patients have total body Fluid Overload
- Option 1: Not on Home Diuretics
- Furosemide (Lasix) 40 mg IV (if not on home Diuretic) OR
- Furosemide (Lasix) 0.5 to 1.0 mg/kg (40-80 mg) IV
- Higher doses may be needed in Chronic Renal Failure
- Option 2: On home Diuretics
- Calculate hospital Furosemide dose
- Total Dose = HOME-DOSE * MULTIPLIER
- Where HOME-DOSE is the total daily home dose
- Where MULTIPLIER is typically 1.5 (up to 2.5)
- Divide the total daily dose over the number of doses per day
- Furosemide (Lasix) at 1.5 times the home dose of Loop Diuretic (typical, safer)
- Patient taking 40 mg orally daily at home would be given 30 mg IV every 12 hours
- Furosemide (Lasix) at 2.5 times the home dose of Loop Diuretic (high dose, caution!)
- Patient taking 40 mg orally daily at home would be given 50 mg IV every 12 hours
- Exercise caution with higher dose multiplier due to increased risk of Acute Renal Failure
- Felker (2011) N Engl J Med 364(9): 797-805 [PubMed]
- Calculate hospital Furosemide dose
- Option 3: Peacock ED Observation Unit Protocol (see disposition below)
- Goal of 1 Liter output during an ED observation
- Give Furosemide as single IV bolus of DOUBLE the patient’s daily oral dose (max 180 mg IV)
- May repeat as twice the initial IV dose if inadequate urine out at 2 hours
- Urine < 0.5 L for Serum Creatinine <2.5 mg/dl OR
- Urine <0.25 L for Serum Creatinine >2.5 mg/dl
- References
- Precautions
- Diuretics have a delayed onset of action until Afterload decreases and renal perfusion increases
- Diuretics are typically ineffective until other measures (e.g. Bipap, Nitroglycerin) redistribute fluid
- Use other agents listed under Preload and Afterload reduction first
- Loop Diuretics may not be indicated in all Acute Heart Failure stabilization
- Newer recommendations are to use with caution and at lower doses (see precautions above)
- Increased risk of Acute Renal Failure, increased hospital stays and increased mortality
- Furosemide Continuous Infusion is not recommended
- Considered low efficacy compared with bolus dosing and higher risk of complication (e.g. Hypokalemia)
- Dosing (listed for historical reference)
- Bolus: 40-80 mg IV
- Maintainence: 5-40 mg/hour IV infusion
- Diuretics have a delayed onset of action until Afterload decreases and renal perfusion increases
XV. Preparations: Additional Measures for refractory cases
- Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
- Ultrafiltration, ECMO or Dialysis
- Indicated in end-stage renal disease and Fluid Overload
- Phlebotomy of 200-300 cc blood may temporize if Dialysis is delayed
- Endotracheal Intubation and Mechanical Ventilation
- Decreases work of breathing and provides PEEP
- Ensure adequate fluid volume prior to RSI
- Intra-aortic balloon pump
- Decrease left Ventricular Afterload, wall tension and myocardial oxygen demand
- Indications
- Primarily indicated in mechanical catastrophe (e.g. ruptured mitral valve)
- May also be used to bridge to definitive therapy (e.g. PCI)
- Thrombolytics (in STEMI with secondary Cardiogenic Shock)
- May be considered in Cardiogenic Shock from STEMI and prolonged transport to PCI (>1.5 hours)
- Less effective in left main and proximal LAD lesions, as well as compared with PCI in general
XVI. Preparations: Agents to avoid
- Avoid Beta Blockers in acute decompensated Systolic Dysfunction
- Avoid Nesiritide (Natrecor)
- No longer recommended (previously considered in refractory cases)
- Avoid Morphine Sulfate
- Poor to no effect on Preload reduction
- Associated with increased rates of intubation, ICU length of stay and possibly mortality
- Benzodiazepines
- Use only with caution
- Nitroprusside
- Historically started with 0.1 to 0.3 mcg/kg/min IV and titrate up to effect
- Falling out of favor due to unpredictable and catastrophic effects on Blood Pressure
- Digoxin
- Avoid Digoxin in Acute Heart Failure (not effective)
XVII. Management: General
- Intravenous lines
- Often challenging in CHF exacerbations due to peripheral Vasoconstriction and body habitus (i.e. Obesity)
- Consider Intraosseous Access or if time allows, Ultrasound-guided Intravenous Access
- Oxygen
- Monitor
- Defibrillator
- Advanced Airway equipment
XVIII. Management: Hypertensive Acute Heart Failure
- Criteria
- Acute Heart Failure AND
- Systolic Blood Pressure >180 mmHg
- Background
- Hypertensive Acute Heart Failure is typically due to Diastolic Heart Failure
- SCAPE
- Sympathetic surge AND
- Crashing AND
- Pulmonary Edema
- Step 1: Acute Stabilization (Preload reduction)
- BIPAP (or CPAP)
- Most important single measure
- Initiate without delay
- Nitroglycerin (see above)
- Start
- Oral: 400 mcg sublingual every 3-5 minutes (30% bioavailability, peaks over minutes) OR
- IV: 250-500 mcg bolus (drawn from Nitroglycerin Infusion bottle 200 or 400 mcg/ml)
- Next: High dose Nitroglycerin Drip (50-200 mcg/min) IV
- Note that this is very high dosing
- Much higher dose than typical 0.3 to 0.5 mcg/kg/min (10-25 mcg/min) infusion
- Expert opinion recommends starting IV Nitroglycerin at 150 mcg/min
- Monitor with automatic Blood Pressure monitor cycling at every 2-5 minutes
- Next: Taper to 10-20 mcg/min as Hypoxia and pulmonary edema improve
- Start
- BIPAP (or CPAP)
- Step 2: Afterload Reduction
- ACE Inhibitor
- Other Afterload reduction (if ACE Inhibitor contraindicated)
- See Afterload reduction preparations as above
- Nicardipine or Clevidipine
- Fenoldopam
- Step 3: Consider Loop Diuretic
- See dosing in the preparations section above
- Step 4: Refractory Cases
- Consider Ultrafiltration or Dialysis
- Consider Dobutamine (if no shock)
- Start with 2.5 mcg/kg/min IV and titrate up to effect
XIX. Management: Normotensive Acute Heart Failure
- Criteria
- Acute Heart Failure AND
- Systolic Blood Pressure >90 or 100 mmHg AND
- Systolic Blood Pressure <180 mmHg
- Background
- Normotensive Acute Heart Failure is typically due to Systolic Heart Failure
- Contrast with hypertensive Acute Heart Failure which is typically due to Diastolic Heart Failure
- Step 1: Acute Stabilization
- BIPAP (or CPAP)
- Nitroglycerin Ointment (0.5 to 1 inch) if systolic Blood Pressure > 120 mmHg
- Step 2: Loop Diuretics
- See dosing in the preparations section above
XX. Management: Hypotensive Acute Heart Failure (Cardiogenic Shock)
- Criteria
- Acute Heart Failure AND
- Systolic Blood Pressure <90 to 100 mmHg
- Step 1: Acute Stabilization
- Step 2: Inotrope selection (if above measures fail) with MAP goal >65 mmHg
- Congestive Heart Failure exacerbation without acute Myocardial Infarction
- Start with Norepinephrine and titrate up
- Consider low dose Epinephrine 0.01 to 0.08 mcg/kg/min if needed
- Myocardial Infarction (STEMI, NSTEMI or new LBBB)
- Involve cardiology, cath lab for PCI, cardiothoracic surgery early
- Dobutamine 2.5 mcg/kg/min IV and titrate up to effect
- Risk of increasing Myocardial Ischemia, vasodilation and Hypotension, Tachycardia
- Significant Fluid Replacement will be required in right ventricular failure
- Repeat frequent Lung Exams
- IVC Ultrasound for Volume Status may not reflect left ventricle volume
- Avoid Dobutamine and other Vasopressors while patient is fluid responsive
- Add Norepinephrine if Hypotension persists
- Severe Mitral or Aortic Stenosis
- Avoid agents that cause Tachycardia (e.g. Epinephrine, Dopamine)
- Consider Phenylephrine, vasopressin
- Severe Mitral or Aortic Regurgitation
- Tachycardia may be beneficial
- Norepinephrine or Dopamine may be used
- Congestive Heart Failure exacerbation without acute Myocardial Infarction
- Step 3: Advanced acute interventions
- Intra-aortic balloon pump
- Ultrafiltration or Dialysis
- Precautions
- Cardiogenic Shock due to CHF is associated with a 30 day mortality >50%
- Patients may be hypotensive at baseline with end-stage Heart Failure (review clinic Blood Pressures)
- Consider differential diagnosis, especially Septic Shock
- Follow serial Bedside Ultrasounds with each intervention
XXI. Disposition: New diagnosis of Acute Heart Failure
- Precautions
- Admit most (if not all patients) with new CHF diagnosis for evaluation, management and education
- Dedicated CHF clinic, close interval follow-up may be appropriate in some patients
- High risk markers (used in protocols below)
- BUN>43 or Serum Creatinine >2.8 mg/dl
- Systolic Blood Pressure <115 mmHg
- Oxygen Saturation <93%
- Disposition based on BNP when the diagnosis is unclear (example protocol)
- BNP >1000 pg/ml
- Admit
- Consider ICU admission if high risk markers positive (see above)
- BNP 400-1000 pg/ml
- Admit if Troponin Increase or high risk markers (see above) or
- Consider observation unit
- Recent admission or
- Initial emergency department management does not return the patient to baseline
- Discharge patients not meeting criteria for admission or observation
- Especially if marginal change in BNP (e.g. <25% difference between now and last discharge BNP)
- BNP <400 pg/ml (IF despite the normal BNP, Heart Failure is still suspected)
- Admit if Troponin Increased, high risk markers positive (see above)
- Consider observation unit if initial emergency department management does not return the patient to baseline
- References
- BNP >1000 pg/ml
XXII. Disposition: Acute decompensation of chronic Heart Failure
- Estimate risk of adverse event
- Most cases will require hospitalization (observation or admission)
- Hospital length of stay in Acute Heart Failure is typically >4 days
- Discharge home indications (subset of lower risk patients with reliable follow-up)
- Patient is not hypoxic on room air (or baseline Supplemental Oxygen) at rest and ambulation
- Patient is able to comply with home management (medications, diet, follow-up)
- Reliable clinic follow-up (especially if dedicated CHF clinic available)
XXIII. Disposition: Emergency Department Observation Unit
- Indications
- Established Heart Failure AND
- Acute findings consistent with CHF exacerbation (esp. if clear exacerbation trigger)
- Contraindications
- Systolic Blood Pressure >220 mmHg or <100 mmHg
- Respiratory Rate >25
- Heart Rate >130
- Fever
- Supplemental Oxygen to keep O2Sat >90% (unless chronically oxygen dependent)
- Electrocardiogram with ischemic changes
- Increased Troponin
- Significant renal insuffiicency (e.g. Serum Creatinine >3 mg/dl or BUN >40 mg/dl)
- Inability to follow-up
- New onset Congestive Heart Failure
- Diagnostics and Monitoring
- Telemetry
- Continuous Pulse Oximetry
- Vital Signs every 4 hours
- Intake and Output monitoring
- Serial Troponin and basic metabolic panel (e.g. chem8) every 6 hours
- Echocardiogram (if not recently done)
- Medications and diet
- No added salt
- ACE Inhibitor
- Consider Nitroglycerin (e.g. Nitroglycerin Ointment)
- Diuretics (see protocols as above)
- Education
- Heart Failure general education
- Dietary triggers (e.g. salt)
- Weight monitoring
- Home health visit
- Discharge goals
- Symptomatic improvement
- Reassuring Vital Signs
- Non-ischemic EKG
- Negative cardiac enzymes
- Normal electrolytes
- Adequate diuresis (1 Liter net output, weight loss, decreased JVD)
- Asymptomatic on ambulation (no light headedness, Chest Pain, improved Dyspnea)
- Resting Heart Rate <100 bpm
- Systolic Blood Pressure >90 mmHg
- Oxygen Saturation >90% (unless chronically oxygen dependent)
- Discharge
- Medication prescriptions (e.g. ACE Inhibitor, Diuretics)
- Established outpatient follow-up
- References
- Davenport and Baugh (2018) Crit Dec Emerg Med 32(7): 15-24
- Peacock (2002) Congest Heart Fail 8(2):68-73 [PubMed]
XXIV. Disposition: Follow-up
- Efficacy
- Reduces emergency department visits and readmission rates in the first 30-90 days (see above)
- Status Quo: 25% of patients are re-admitted in the first month and 33% rehospitalized or die within first 90 days
- Telephone or email contact within 2 days of hospital discharge
- Review symptoms
- Remind patient to check daily weights and call if weight changes by more than 2-3 pounds
- Clinic follow-up within 7 days of hospital discharge
- History
- Review hospital course and discharge recommendations (consider contacting discharge hospitalist)
- Review medication list and pill bottles
- Establish dry weight or target weight
- Review symptoms since discharge (Orthopnea or PND, Dyspnea on exertion, Chest Pain)
- Labs (examples)
- Management
- Adjust medications based on clinical status
- Specific measures to consider
- Diuretic (e.g. Furosemide) often requires adjustment following hospitalization
- Consider titrating ACE Inhibitor (up to 20-40 mg daily) or Angiotensin Receptor Blocker
- Consider titrating Metoprolol Succinate (Toprol XL, up to 200 mg daily)
- Consider adding aldosterone agonist such as Spironolactone or Eplerenone (Inspra)
- Charges
- CPT 99496 (transitional care management)
- History
- References
- (2016) Presc Lett 23(2): 7-8
- Donaho (2015) J Am Heart Assoc 23;4(12) +PMID:26702083 [PubMed]
XXVI. References
- Herbert, Weingart, Mattu, Sacchetti and Orman in Herbert (2014) EM:Rap 14(8): 11-13
- Herbert, Weingart, Mattu, Sacchetti and Orman in Herbert (2014) EM:Rap 14(9): 14
- Orman and Berg in Herbert (2015) EM:Rap 15(6): 14-5
- Pang (2014) Crit Dec Emerg Med 28(9): 9-17
- Ryan (2001) CMEA Internal Medicine Lecture, San Diego
- Swaminathan and Mallemat in Herbert (2016) EM:Rap 16(2): 3-5
- Swaminathan and Weingart in Herbert (2018) EM:Rap 18(12): 5-7
- (2000) Circulation 102(suppl I):I-189 [PubMed]
- Marik (2012) J Intensive Care Med 27(6): 343-53 +PMID:21616957 [PubMed]