Critical Issues in the Evaluation and Management of Adult Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department With Acute Heart Failure Syndromes
Official 2022 guideline from the American College of Emergency Physicians.
summary by Eric Steinberg, DO, MEHP
Diagnosis
Use point-of-care lung ultrasound as an imaging modality in conjunction with medical history and physical examination to diagnose acute heart failure syndrome when diagnostic uncertainty exists as the accuracy of this diagnostic test is sufficient to direct clinical management.*
*Use of lung ultrasound requires that the equipment is available, and the physician is proficient in its use.
Level B
Intervention
Although no specific timing of diuretic therapy can be recommended, physicians may consider earlier administration of diuretics when indicated for emergency department patients with acute heart failure syndrome, because it may be associated with reduced length of stay and in-hospital mortality (consensus recommendation).
Physicians should be confident in the diagnosis of acute heart failure syndrome with volume overload in a patient before the administration of diuretics because treatment with diuretics may cause harm to those with an alternative diagnosis (consensus recommendation).
Level C
Consider using high-dose nitroglycerin as a safe and effective treatment option when administered to patients with acute heart failure syndrome and elevated blood pressure (consensus recommendation).*
*Although nitroglycerin infusions of up to 400 mcg/min have been described as “standard dosing,” some may consider a dosage of 200 mcg/ min or higher as “high dose.” “High dose” nitroglycerin has also been described as bolus intravenous dosing of 2,000 mcg every 3 to 5 minutes.
Level C
Disposition
Do not rely on current acute heart failure syndrome risk stratification tools alone to determine which patients may be discharged directly home from the emergency department.
Consider using the Ottawa Heart Failure Risk Scale (OHFRS) to help determine which higher-risk patients for adverse outcome should not be discharged home.
Level B
Consider using the Emergency Heart Failure Mortality Risk Grade (EHMRG) for 7-day mortality or the STRATIFY decision tool to help determine which higher-risk patients for adverse outcome should not be discharged home.
Use shared decision-making strategies when determining the appropriate disposition of AHFS patients (consensus recommendation).
Level C
