Korean Circ J.  1973 Dec;3(2):35-43. 10.4070/kcj.1973.3.2.35.

Clinical Study on Congestive Heart Failure

• Yoo SH
• Lee SH

• KMID: 1667735
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4070/kcj.1973.3.2.35

Abstract

Our experience with 150 patients with congestive heart failure has been reviewed with particular reference to physical and laboratory findings on admission, precipitating factors and diagnostic clues. Congestive heart failure has been defined as that heart failure due to myocardial failure (primary or secondary). (1) Congestive heart failure was found in 3.65% of total medical admissions and in 24.0% of total cardiovascular patients. There was no difference between two sexes and incidence was peak in the 6th decade. (2) Rheumatic heart disease was the most common cause of congestive heart failure (41.0%). Hypertensive and/or atherosclerotic heart disease (36.5%), cor pulmonary (6.6%), postpartum heart failure (5.3%), pericardial disease (3.6%), thyrotoxic heart disease (2.0%) and congenital heart disease (0.6%) were the etiologies of the remainder. In male hypertensive and/or atherosclerotic heart disease was most common cause of congestive heart failure. (3) The precipitating factors of congestive heart failure were found in 31% and infection, pregnancy, discontinuation of digitalis and physical exertion were major causes. (4) Dyspnea, cervical vein distension, pulmonary rale, hepatomegaly and cardiac murmur were important symptoms and signs on admission. (5) Peripheral venous pressure was elevated in 883.2% and circulation time was prolonged in 90.9%. (6) Leucocytosis (39.8%) albuminuria (60.2%), elevated GOT (serum glntamin oxaloacetic transaminase) (12.0%) and azotemia (50%) were observed. (7) Chest X-ray on admission revealed increased vascularity including pulmonary edema (88.8%), cardiomegaly (83.3%) and hydrothorax (27.1%). (8) Electrocardiographic findings was abnormal in 99.4% and left ventricular hypertnophy (45.7%), atrial fibrillation (27.3%), Right ventricular hypertrophy and low voltage were frequently observed.

MeSH Terms

Albuminuria
Atrial Fibrillation
Azotemia
Cardiomegaly
Digitalis
Dyspnea
Electrocardiography
Estrogens, Conjugated (USP)*
Heart Defects, Congenital
Heart Diseases
Heart Failure*
Heart Murmurs
Hepatomegaly
Humans
Hydrothorax
Hypertrophy, Right Ventricular
Incidence
Male
Physical Exertion
Postpartum Period
Precipitating Factors
Pregnancy
Pulmonary Edema
Respiratory Sounds
Rheumatic Heart Disease
Thorax
Veins
Venous Pressure
Estrogens, Conjugated (USP)