MEDICAL/SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF CHF

Medical Management:
 Cardiac efficiency is increased with medication.
 Edema and Pulmonary congestion are treated with medications, diet, and
restricted fluid intake.
 Fluid retention is monitored by weighing the client daily.
 Oxygen requirements of the body are decreased by bed rest with the head
elevated 45 degrees
 A chest x-ray directly visualizes the ventricles for muscle hypertrophy and
ventricular enlargement and the lungs for congestion.
 An ECG is completed and arterial blood gases are evaluated.
 The client’s oxygen saturation level is monitored by pulse oximetry.
 A pulmonary artery catheter (Swan-Ganz catheter) may be inserted to determine
left ventricular function. In right-sided failure, the symptoms of edema,
hepatomegaly, and neck vein distention are significant diagnostic evidence.

Surgical Management:
 The patient's condition may require surgical valve repair/replacement or
Coronary artery bypass surgery.