Veterinary Clinical Medicine-I (General and Systemic)

Treatment of congestive heart failure - Basics

TREATMENT OF CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE (CHF)

• A combination of approaches is usually involved for successful management of C.H.F. The veterinarian must consider all etiologic factors and all associated organ structures which may be involved.

The practical approach when C.H.F. is present, is

• to decrease exercise,
• to decrease sodium intake,
• to mechanically remove excess fluid from the body cavities,
• to provide sedation if needed,
• proper nutrition,
• bronchodilatation and
• supplemental oxygen as needed.
• Additionally, the use of cardiac glycosides (digitalis) and diuretics are the backbone of pharmacologic therapy.

The beneficial effects of digitalis

• Increases the force of myocardial contraction causing the ventricle to empty more completely, resulting in
• An increased stroke volume and cardiac output
• Improved renal hemodynamies with a resultant diuresis
• The loss of excessive fluids
• Decreased venous pressure and a reduction in the diastolic volume
• Decrease in the heart rate
• There is no fixed dosage rate for the administration of cardiac glycosides, each patient must be individually assessed for "the fundamental principles of digitalization is to administer the drug until the desired therapeutic affect is achieved or until signs of mild intoxication appear.