Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Congestive heart failure (CHF) is defined by the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) as "a complex clinical syndrome resulting from any structural or functional impairment of ventricular filling or ejection of blood." Ischemic heart disease is the primary cause of death globally and is also the main contributor to CHF. This condition is prevalent, affecting around 26 million people worldwide, and is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. CHF leads to increased healthcare costs, decreased functional capacity, and significantly impacts quality of life. Therefore, accurate diagnosis and effective treatment are essential to prevent recurrent hospitalizations, lower morbidity and mortality rates, and improve patientoutcomes. Congestive heart failure (CHF) is an increasingly common end-stage cardiac condition caused by functional or structural defects that hinder the heart's ability to fill and pump effectively. Patients typically present with cardiopulmonary symptoms, including chest pain, palpitations, and worsening shortness of breath. Notably, many also report abdominal pain, which can be localized or generalized. Right upper quadrant pain may mimic conditions like hepatitis or cholecystitis, often due to hepatic congestion from right heart strain. In cases of new-onset CHF, increased distention of the splanchnic circulation can cause bowel edema, leading to symptoms similar to bowel obstruction, such as abdominal distention and nonfocal pain. It's crucial to evaluate cardiac risk factors and rule out intra-abdominal issues before attributing abdominal pain to CHF. In children and adolescents with new presentations of heart failure, particularly from dilated cardiomyopathies, abdominal complaints like pain, anorexia, nausea, and vomiting are common. Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion and include cardiac lab tests, chest radiographs, and bedside echocardiograms in their initial assessment.
Authors: Shivam Mourya Shivam Mourya, Dr.Ajeet Pal Singh Dr.Ajeet Pal Singh, Dr. Amar Pal Singh Dr. Amar Pal Singh, Hardeep Singh Hardeep Singh, Deepali Thakur Deepali Thakur
Language: English
Subfield: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4409394526