Congestive Heart Failure Summary

Overview

Because pediatric HF is a relatively uncommon condition, most practitioners in primary care or emergency departments have little practical experience with its presentation or management in children. The clinical manifestations might be dissimilar to those of adults, and quite variable. Because 87% of cases of new-onset HF only reach a diagnosis when the patient is in a state of severe decompensation, and less than 50% of children who present with symptomatic HF survive for 5 years without cardiac transplantation, early diagnosis and effective treatment remain significant challenges which should be addressed.

This guideline was developed by the Canadian Cardiovascular Society in 2013. A key link is placed to the AHA adult 2022 cardiac failure guideline, as this field has progressed rapidly and often newer medications used in adult heart failure are also utilized in refractory cases in children.