Abstract
Pulmonary infections substantially increase the risk of mortality in patients with heart failure [1]. Commonly seen in the 65–75 year age group, heart failure complicated by ongoing infection (often leading to sepsis) puts a considerable burden on the healthcare system [2]. Improper and untimely management of such patients has driven up healthcare costs significantly. That being the case, patients with heart failure and superimposed infection (especially pneumonia) often present with overlapping symptoms and signs, making it difficult to distinguish using conventional tools, such as radiographic imaging and blood testing. Studies have shown that patients with preexisting heart failure often experience a worsening of their symptoms due to superimposed infection [3, 4]. Pulmonary infections such as pneumonia have been shown to suppress myocardial function, initiate inflammatory hormone release and worsen heart failure [4].
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Choudhary, R., Maisel, A.S. (2013). Procalcitonin Use to Identify the Infected Heart Failure Patient. In: Vincent, JL. (eds) Annual Update in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine 2013. Annual Update in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-35109-9_6
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