Echocardiographic Findings in Children Admitted in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit with Acute Heart Failure

Abstract

Acute heart failure can be defined as the rapid onset of symptoms and signs secondary to abnormal cardiac systolic or diastolic function. The clinical syndrome of acute heart failure is characterized by one or more of the following: reduced cardiac output, tissue hypoperfusion, increased pulmonary artery pressure, and tissue congestion. Heart failure is considered to be one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality in children. Because acute CHF requires urgent treatment, early evaluation of patients is crucial for appropriate selection and monitoring of therapy. This evaluation can be complex and relies on integration of the bedside evaluation and information available from invasive or noninvasive diagnostic techniques.