Clin Exp Pediatr.  2024 Apr;67(4):178-190. 10.3345/cep.2023.00528.

Heart failure in children and adolescents: an update on diagnostic approaches and management

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal, MP, India
  • 2Al Jalila Children's Specialty Hospital, Dubai, UAE
  • 3Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Pediatric Department, NMC Royal Hospital-Kalifa City, NMC Healthcare, Abu Dhabi, UAE
  • 4Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Burjeel Hospital, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Abstract

Cardiac failure is a clinical syndrome that may develop in children owing to cardiac dysfunction or underlying structural heart diseases. Considering the differences in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for pediatric heart failure (PHF) and adult heart failure, we have reviewed the current literature on PHF. Relevant studies were extracted from MEDLINE/PubMed, Google Scholar, and Clinical Trial Registries using the terms “pediatric heart failure” or “heart failure in children” and “management” or “decongestive therapy.” Recent advances in diagnostic approaches, such as cardiac magnetic resonance, speckle-tracking echocardiography, tissue Doppler imaging, and molecular diagnostic techniques, have increased our under -standing of PHF. It is imperative that clinicians evaluate the interrelated factors responsible for the develop ment of PHF, including myocardial function, pulmonary and systemic blood flow, heart rhythm, valve function, and nutritional status. Although recent advances have demon strated the efficacy of many new drugs in adult heart failure trials, it cannot be concluded that these drugs will show similar efficacy in children, considering the heterogeneous nature of the underlying mechanisms and variable pharmacody-namics and pharmacokinetics. Therefore, the underlying pathophysiology of PHF and the mechanisms of action of different drugs should be considered when selecting appropriate therapies. Further trials are needed to establi sh the efficacy and safety of these drugs, and a combined mul-ti disciplinary strategy will help enhance PHF outcomes.

Keyword

Heart failure; Child; Pediatrics; Tachycardia; Heart disease
Full Text Links
  • CEP
Actions
Cited
CITED
export Copy
Close
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Similar articles
Copyright © 2024 by Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors. All rights reserved.     E-mail: koreamed@kamje.or.kr