Flow chart for the evaluation of patients with heart failure (HF)

Flow chart for the evaluation of patients with heart failure (HF) Heart Failure Heart Failure

«Flowchart»

Possible HF Possible HF

<Node Text>

<Go to node 3>

<Go to node 3> Node 3

<Go to node 4>

<Go to node 4> Node 4

<End Node 3>

<End Node 4>

<End Node 4> History and physical examination History and physical examination ECG
Chest radiograph
Routine labs
Natriuretic peptide^* ECG
Chest radiograph
Routine labs
Natriuretic peptide^*

^* ECG
Possible chest radiograph
Routine labs
Natriuretic peptide^* ECG
Possible chest radiograph
Routine labs
Natriuretic peptide^*

^* Acute onset Acute onset Nonacute onse Nonacute onse Imaging Imaging Imaging Higher suspicion
for HF
Higher suspicion Lower suspicion
for HF
Lower suspicion HF unlikely HF unlikely HF unlikely HF unlikely HF likely HF likely Normal Normal Normal Abnormal Abnormal Abnormal Normal Normal Normal

End

Some
circumstances
Some circumstances HF unlikely HF unlikely Higher suspicion
for HF
Higher suspicion for HF Lower suspicion for HF Lower suspicion for HF Some
circumstances
Some circumstances HF unlikely HF unlikely