ICU management of heart failure

See acute heart failure for etiologies

managing preload

managing afterload

Left heart failure: unload systemic vascular resistance

Right heart failure: unload pulmonary vascular resistance

  • Oxygen
  • Avoiding excess PEEP (unless ARDS present)
  • Avoiding hypercapnoea (since ↑ pCO2 = ↑ pulm arterial pressure)

enhancing contractility