Management of Pediatric Heart Failure

Abstract

Author's summary Heart failure in children is complex with multiple diverse etiologies, severities of presentation, and fluctuating clinical courses over time. Morbidity and mortality are high. Treatment approaches are based predominantly on expert consensus guidelines extrapolated from adult evidence-based literature. The goal is to encourage reverse remodeling of the myocardium that is failing due to maladaptive changes related to the underlying heart failure pathophysiology. Establishing guideline directed medical therapy is key concurrent with addressing other key factors contributing to ventricular dysfunction and heart failure. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current state of the art management of systolic heart failure in children.