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

Possible HF

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History and physical examination

History and physical examination

History and physical examination

ECG
Chest radiograph
Routine labs
Natriuretic peptide*

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*

ECG
Possible chest radiograph
Routine labs
Natriuretic peptide*




*

Acute onset

Acute onset

Acute onset

Nonacute onse

Nonacute onse

Nonacute onse

Imaging

Imaging

Imaging

Imaging

Higher suspicion
for HF

Higher suspicion
for HF


Higher suspicion

Lower suspicion
for HF

Lower suspicion
for HF


Lower suspicion

HF unlikely

HF unlikely

HF unlikely

HF unlikely

HF unlikely

HF unlikely

HF likely

HF likely

HF likely

Normal

Normal

Normal Normal

Abnormal

Abnormal

Abnormal Abnormal

Normal

Normal

Normal Normal

End

End

End

Some
circumstances

Some
circumstances


Some circumstances

HF unlikely

HF unlikely

HF unlikely

Higher suspicion
for HF

Higher suspicion
for HF


Higher suspicion for HF

Lower suspicion for HF

Lower suspicion for HF

Lower suspicion for HF

Some
circumstances

Some
circumstances


Some circumstances

HF unlikely

HF unlikely

HF unlikely