Author Description

In Early 2021 The Heart Failure Society Of America (hfsa), The Heart Failure Association Of European Society Of Cardiology (hfa) And The Japanese Heart Failure Society (jhfs) Proposed A New Universal Definition Of Heart Failure (udhf). Four Other Associations Endorsed The Proposal: The Canadian Heart Failure Society, The Cardiac Society Of Australia And New Zealand (csanz), The Heart Failure Association Of India (hfai), And The Chinese Heart Failure Association. The Reasons Underlying The Udhf Were Many But Importantly Included The Need To Define Hf Easily And Reproducibly As An Essential Step For Standardisation So That Accurate Comparisons Can Be Made Across Geographies, Health Systems And Timelines. A Reliable Udhf Will Also Aid In Research, Clinical Practice And Quality And Safety Improvement Activities. Unlike Ckd, Hf Cannot Be Defined By A Numerical Abnormality In Any Single Parameter. Hf Is A Clinical Syndrome Involving A Commonly Accepted Composite Of Signs, Symptoms And Investigative Findings That Are Recognised As Forming An Identifiable Disease State. This Chapter Reviews The History Of Hf Definitions And Outlines The Advantages Of The Multi-society 2021 Udhf. It Outlines How Staging Of Hf Can Be Aided By The Udhf And How The Four Stage Classification Of Accf/aha Can Be Adapted To The Udhf And How This Can Aid Our Appreciation Of The Progression From Risk Factors For Heart Failure Through Early Asymptomatic Disease Through To Mildly And Severely Symptomatic Disease. We Also Review The Many Uses Of Lvef To Sub-classify Hf And Also Its Limitations And Describe Four Classes Of Hf Type According To Ef, Hfref, Hfmref, Hfpef And Heimpef. We Discuss The Concept And Usefulness Of Hf Disease Trajectories And Finally Outline Future Uses Of Udhf In Clinical Practice, Registries, Audit, Research, Advocacy And Patient Education-- Provided By Publisher.