QuickDoc.

Symptom control

• Diuretic
• Digoxin [even if no AF]

Reduced mortality

• ACEi [alternative ARB if intolerant]
• B-Blocker
• Spironolactone

Diuretic therapy

• Loop diuretic [for LVF and peripheral oedema] [potent]
  • [Furosemide] [initially low to medium dosage: 40 – 80mg OD] [Maintain 20 – 40mg OD or BD] [Resistant 80 – 120mg daily]
  • [Bumetanide] [gm for gm, 40 X more potent than Furosemide] [better absorbed in HF – marginal clinical benefit]
  • [Both equivalent in activity] [act within 1h] [last 6 hours] [can give twice in day and sleep not interfered]
  • [Start low] [encourage self adjustment by weight, symptoms & signs]
• Thiazide [for peripheral oedema] [moderately potent]
  • [Act within 1-2h] [last for 12-24h] [administer early in day]
  • [Bendroflumethiazide] [5-10mg daily or alternate days] [maintenance 5-10mg 1-3 times a week]
  • [Chlortalidone] [Longer acting so more steady diuresis] [50-100mg daily-alternate days]

Left heart failure with reduced EF

1. First line [ACEi & B-Blocker]
   • ACEi [or ARB if intolerant to ACEi] [or Hydralazine with nitrate if intolerant to ACEi/ARB – started by specialist]
     • Ramipril [1.25mg OD – increase 1-2w to 10mg daily (taken as 2 divided dosage) as tolerated – monitor every dose change with U&Es]
     • Choose to start this first than B-Blocker if congested
   • B-Blocker [start low, titrate ever 2 weeks]
     • [Can potentially worsen HF] [If congested increase diuretic dose first and review]
     • Caverdilol [3.125 BD > 2.25mg BD > 12.5mg > BD 25mg BD @ 2w interval  to max dose tolerated]
     • Bisoprolol [Increase from 1.25 OD > 2.5mg OD > 3.75mg OD every 1w] [then 5mg OD for 4w] [then 7.5mg OD for 4w] [then 10mg OD]
     • Titrate if: [not symptomatic bradycardia] [not congested] [not symptomatic hypotension]
     • HR < 50 & worsening symptom – half B-Blocker & review [consider ECG for heart block]
     • If symptomatic hypotensive – consider discontinuing vasodilators [e.g. nitrates] or reducing diuretic dose if not congested
     • Side effect [e.g. dizziness, tiredness]  – often settle & rarely indication to reduce dosage of B-Blocker. Half if severe & review 2w.
   • If symptomatic, add to above
     • Consider offering in addition to ACEi/ARB & BB, Spironolactone or Eplerenone 
     • If still symptomatic – seek specialist advice for one of…
       • SGLT-2i [empagliflozin or dapagliflozin]
       • Replace ACEi with Sacubitril Valsartan if EF < 35%
       • Hydralazine and nitrate (especially if of African-Caribbean descent)
       • Digoxin for people in sinus rhythm

Left heart failure with preserved EF

• If needed, offer diuretic up to Furosemide 80mg or equivalent
• If no response to diuretic, refer to specialist
  • SGLT-2i [empagliflozin or dapagliflozin] are options

Left ventricle Ejection Fraction grading

• Normal – 50% – 70%
• Mild reduction – 40% – 49%
• Moderate reduced – 30% – 39%
• Severely reduced <30%

New York Heart Association [NYHA] classification

1. [No limitation of physical activity] [ordinary physical activity does not cause fatigue, breathlessness or palpitation]
2. [Mild HF] [Slight limitation of physical activity] [Comfortable at rest. Ordinary physical activity results in fatigue, palpitation, breathlessness or angina pectoris]
3. [Moderate HF] [Marked limitation of physical activity] [Comfortable at rest but less than ordinary activity will lead to symptoms]
4. [Severe HF] [Discomfort with all physical activity] [Symptoms at rest. Increased discomfort with any physical activity]