Neurohormonal Imbalance: A Neglected Problem —And Potential Therapeutic Target—In Acute Heart Failure

Decompensated or acute heart failure (AHF) is characterized by increased ventricular and atrial pressures which may lead to and be caused by circulatory congestion. Unless due to a primary decrease in cardiac function, congestion arises from volume expansion or vasoconstriction. In turn, volume expansion and vasoconstriction are due to neurohormonal imbalance since both result from activation of the sympathetic nervous system, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone axis and excess secretion of arginine vasopressin.
Source: Current Problems in Cardiology - Category: Cardiology Authors: Source Type: research