Role of multimodality cardiac imaging for evaluation of intramyocardial dissection, from dissecting haematoma to false-pseudoaneurysm: a case series.

Background: Intramyocardial dissection (ID) is an extremely rare myocardial infarction mechanical complication. Although both clinical and imaging assessment of this rare condition remains a challenge, recent multimodality imaging techniques may help to confirm and to assess the progressive nature of the disease. Diagnosis may be reached in different stages, from as early as the intramyocardial dissecting haematoma to the severe false-pseudoaneurysm. Case summary: This series describes five cases of ID and provides insights into imaging findings and clinical course of this extremely uncommon condition. Our patients represented a wide range of clinical stages, from asymptomatic course to cardiogenic shock. The imaging diagnostic approach was very different from case to case and involved techniques such as echocardiography, cardiac CT, and cardiac magnetic resonance. Discussion: Intramyocardial dissection is a challenging condition in terms of diagnosis and clinical management associated with high morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, the different nomenclature found in the literature may be confusing. This case series supports the need of a terminology standardization and a multimodal imaging approach, which might be determinant for an accurate differential diagnosis and a suitable therapeutic management.

Impact of recurrent COVID-19 disease waves on acute myocardial infarction epidemics: results from a regional network.

Aims: To assess the impact of COVID-19 related public containment measures during recurrent COVID-19 waves on hospital admission rate for acute myocardial infarction (AMI).Methods and results: Clinical characteristics, reperfusion therapy modalities, COVID-19 status and in-hospital mortality of consecutive AMI patients who were admitted in a regional AMI network were recorded during one year starting in March 2020 and were compared with the year before. The COVID-19 study period encompassed two waves: the first in March-May 2020 and the second in October-December 2020. A total of 1349 AMI patients were hospitalised of which 725 during the pre-COVID period and 624 during the COVID period (incidence rate ratio of 1.16, p = 0,006). The impact was predominantly present in the first wave (32% reduction: n = 204 vs 152) and evanished during the second wave (3% increase (152 vs 156). A similar pattern was observed for ACS with cardiac arrest with a 92% reduction (n = 36 vs 3) during the first wave and no change during the second wave (18 vs 18). After correction for temperature and air quality, COVID-19 epidemic remained associated with a decrease of AMI hospitalisation (p = 0.046). Reperfusion strategy for AMI patients, were comparable between both study periods. The in-hospital mortality between the two periods was comparable (2.6% versus 1.9%), but COVID-19 positive ACS patients (n = 7) had a high mortality rate (14%).Conclusion: COVID-19 related public containment measures resulted during the first wave in a 32% reduction of AMI hospitalisation, but this impact was not visible anymore during the second wave.

Wearable Cardioverter Defibrillator Shortens the Lengths of Stay in Patients with Left Ventricular Dysfunction after Myocardial Infarction: A Single-Centre Real-World Experience.

The wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) has been proven to be effective in preventing sudden cardiac death (SCD) in patients soon after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤35%. The aim of this study was to assess whether a WCD may shorten the length of an initial hospital stay (total length, days in the intensive care unit (ICU) and in the acute cardiac care unit (ACCU)) among these patients. This was a single-centre, retrospective observational study of patients referred for the management of SCD risk post-AMI and LVEF ≤35%, in a tertiary care hospital. The clinical characteristics and length of index hospitalization of the group of patients discharged, with or without WCD, were compared. A propensity score analysis was performed, then weighted regression models were conducted. A total of 101 patients in the WCD group and 29 in the control group were enrolled in the analysis. In the weighted regression models, WCD significantly reduced the days spent in ACCU (p < 0.001). WCD patients had significantly fewer days spent in ACCU (5.5 ± 2.6 vs. 8.4 ± 12.8 days, p < 0.001) and shorter hospitalizations (10.2 ± 5.7 vs. 13.4 ± 17.6 days, p = 0.005), compared with the control group. It was concluded that the WCD appears to reduce the total length of hospitalization and lengths of stay in ACCU for patients post-AMI and with left ventricular dysfunction.

An Unexpected Cause of Chest Pain While Self-Pleasuring: A Ripping Doom Excitement.

Acute aortic dissection (AD) involves the tearing of the aortic intima by shearing forces, resulting in a false lumen, which, depending on its location and extent, may lead to hemodynamic compromise, hypoperfusion of vital organs, or even rupture of the aorta. The classical presentation is a sudden chest or back pain described as sharp or ripping in quality. We present a 60-year-old male with a history of hypertension, Liddle's syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, and chronic cannabis use for insomnia who arrived at a non-PCI hospital complaining of severe retrosternal chest pain lasting several hours in evolution that started upon masturbation. The pain was ripping in character, starting retrosternally and radiating to his neck and back. After evidence of rising troponin values, he was initially diagnosed with non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), managed with dual antiplatelet therapy with full anticoagulation, and subsequently transferred to our institution for further care. Shortly after his arrival at our hospital, he suddenly deteriorated with recurrent chest pain and hypotension, which triggered an emergent bedside echocardiogram evaluation. This revealed a hemodynamically significant pericardial effusion, moderate to severe aortic valve regurgitation (AR), and an intimal flap visualized on the ascending and descending aorta, suggestive of an extensive AD. A computerized tomographic angiogram confirmed the diagnosis of a Stanford type A AD that required an emergent surgical pericardiotomy, ascending aorta with partial arch replacement, and aortic valve repair. Often, AD may mimic an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or even present with an acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The appropriate diagnostic imaging evaluation prior to the initiation of anticoagulation therapy should be done in patients with higher-risk clinical criteria for AD to reduce adverse treatment outcomes. The use of a simple three-step diagnostic algorithm for acute aortic syndromes (AAS) may decrease diagnostic delays, misdiagnosis, and inappropriate therapies.

Upholding te mana o te wa: Maori patients and their families' experiences of accessing care following an out-of-hospital cardiac event.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of Maori patients and their families accessing care for an acute out-of-hospital cardiac event and to identify any barriers or enablers of timely access to care. Design: Eleven interviews with patients and their families were conducted either face-to-face or using online conferencing. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed for thematic analysis using Kaupapa Maori methodology. Results: Data analysis identified three themes: (1) me and the event, (2) the people (3) upholding te mana o te wa or self-determined heart wellbeing. Knowledge of symptoms and a desire to maintain personal dignity at the time of the event affected emergency medical service initiation. Participants described relationships with health professionals, the importance of good quality information, having family support, and drawing on cultural practices as vital for their health care journey. Conclusion: Systemic barriers including racism, discrimination, and inadequate resourcing exist for Maori journeying to and through care following an out of hospital cardiac event. Improving the cultural safety of health professionals, better access to community defibrillation, and improving understanding of the life-long impacts a cardiac event has on patients and whanau is recommended.

Incidence, management, and prognosis of post-ischaemic ventricular septal defect: Insights from a 12-year tertiary centre experience.

Background: Among mechanical complications of acute myocardial infarction, ventricular septal defect (VSD) is uncommon but still serious. The evolution of emergency coronary revascularisation paradoxically decreased our knowledge of this disease, making it even rarer. Aim: To describe ischaemic VSD incidence, management, and associated in-hospital and 1-year outcomes over a 12-years period. Methods: A retrospective single-centre register of patients managed for ischaemic VSD between January 2009 and December 2020. Results: Ninety-seven patients were included representing 8 patients/ years and an incidence of 0.44% of ACS managed. The majority of the patients were 73-years-old males (n = 54, 56%) with STEMI presentation (n = 75, 79%) and already presented with Q necrosis on ECG (n = 70, 74%). Forty-nine (51%) patients underwent PCI, 60 (62%) inotrope/vasopressors infusion, and 70 (72%) acute mechanical circulatory support (IABP 62%, ECMO 13%, and Impella® 3%). VSD surgical repair was performed for 44 patients (45%) and 1 patient was transplanted. In-hospital mortality was 71%, and 86% at 1 year, without significant improvement over the decade. Surgery appears to be a protective factor [0.51 (0.28-0.94) p = 0.003], whereas age [1.06 (1.03-1.09), p < 0.001] and lactate [1.16 (1.09-1.23), p < 0.001] were linked to higher 1-year mortality. None of the patients that were managed medically survived 1 year. Conclusion: Post-ischaemic VSD is a rare but serious complication still associated with high mortality. Corrective surgery is associated with better survival, however, timing, patient selection, and a place for mechanical circulatory support need to be defined.

Left Ventricular Thrombus Management After Acute Myocardial Infarction in Clinical Practice: Results from LEVITATION Survey and Narrative Review.

PURPOSE: Left ventricular thrombus (LVT) after ST-elevation myocardial infarction still presents diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. The LEVITATION survey was designed to take a picture of LVT management in current clinical practice. METHODS: The survey covered diagnostic, therapeutic, and prophylactic issues and was completed by 104 European cardiac centers. Most of them (59%) were university or tertiary centers. RESULTS: The survey showed anterior apical a-/dyskinesia, large MI, spontaneous echo-contrast, late presentation with delayed PCI, and TIMI flow 0-1 as the most important perceived risk factors for LVT formation. Serial ultrasound imaging is the most used tool to diagnose LVT (88% of the centers), with contrast-enhanced ultrasound and cardiac MR performed in case of poor apex visualization or spontaneous echo-contrast. One third (34%) of the centers uses prophylactic anticoagulation to prevent LVT formation. In the presence of LVT, low molecular weight heparin is the most used in-hospital therapy. At discharge, vitamin K antagonist and direct oral anticoagulants are used in 67 and 32% of the cases, respectively. Triple antithrombotic therapy with aspirin plus clopidogrel and VKA is the most used strategy at discharge (55%), whereas a single antiplatelet therapy is preferred only in the case of moderate-to-high risk of bleeding. To assess LVT total regression, half of the centers use contrast-enhanced ultrasound and/or cardiac-MR. The duration of anticoagulation is usually 3-6 months (55%), with long-term prolongation in case of LVT persistence or recurrence. CONCLUSION: The survey has depicted for the first time the current real-world management of this neglected topic and has highlighted several grey zones that are still present and not supported by evidence.

Externalized Reusable Permanent Pacemaker for Prolonged Temporary Cardiac Pacing in Critical Cardiac Care Units: An Observational Monocentric Retrospective Study.

INTRODUCTION: The use of temporary cardiac pacing is frequent in critical care units for severe bradycardia or electrical storm, but may be associated with frequent and potentially severe complications, especially when indwelling for several days. In some cases, transient indication or ongoing contraindication for a permanent pacemaker justifies prolonged temporary pacing. In that case, the implantation of an active-fixation lead connected to an externalized pacemaker represents a valuable option to increase safety and patient comfort. Yet, evidence remains scarce. We aimed to describe the population receiving prolonged temporary cardiac pacing (PTCP) and their outcomes. METHODS: We retrospectively included all consecutive patients, admitted to our hospital from 2016 to 2021, who underwent PTCP. We collected in-hospital and six-month outcomes. RESULTS: Forty-six patients (median age of 73, 63% male) were included, and twenty-nine (63%) had prior heart disease. Indications for PTCP were found: seventeen (37%) potentially reversible high-grade conduction disorders, fourteen (30%) indications for permanent pacemaker but ongoing infection, seven (15%) cardiac implantable electronic device infections requiring extraction in pacing-dependent patients, seven (15%) severe vagal hyperreactivity in prolonged critical care hospitalizations, and one (2%) recurrent sustained ventricular tachycardia requiring overdrive pacing. The median PTCP duration was nine (5-13) days. Ten (22%) patients exhibited at least one complication during hospitalization. Twenty-six (56.5%) patients required definite device implantation (twenty-five pacemakers and one cardioverter-defibrillator) and twenty (43.5%) did not (fifteen PTCP device removal for recovery and five deaths under PTCP). At six months, two (5%) deaths and two (5%) new infections of a definite implanted device occurred, all in patients with initial active infection. CONCLUSION: The use of prolonged temporary cardiac pacing, with an active -fixation lead connected to an externalized pacemaker, is possible and reasonable; this would allow for the possible recovery or resolution of contraindication for definite device implantation.

Monkeypox-Associated Pericarditis: A Maiden Case.

One of the most prevalent causes of pericarditis has been identified as virus infection. However, very little is known regarding cardiac involvement as a consequence of monkeypox infection. We describe a rare case of pericarditis with mild pericardial effusion in an immunocompetent adult with a one-week history of monkeypox. To the best of our knowledge, not many case reports are available in the existing literature. This might be the among the first few cases of monkeypox associated pericarditis during the current pandemic. The use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, and colchicine to manage pericarditis has been the cornerstone of the therapy. Within two weeks, the patient reported improvement in his symptoms and the resolution of the pericardial effusion.

Steroid treatment as anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective agent following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Patients resuscitated from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) have a high morbidity and mortality risk and often develop post-cardiac arrest syndrome (PCAS) involving systemic inflammation. The severity of the inflammatory response is associated with adverse outcome, with anoxic irreversible brain injury as the leading cause of death following resuscitated OHCA. The study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effect of pre-hospital administration of a high-dose glucocorticoid following OHCA. METHODS: The study is an investigator-initiated, randomized, multicenter, single-blinded, placebo-controlled, clinical trial. Inclusion will continue until one hundred twenty unconscious OHCA patients surviving a minimum of 72 h are randomized. Intervention is a 1:1 randomization to an infusion of methylprednisolone 250 mg following a minimum of 5 min of sustained return of spontaneous circulation in the pre-hospital setting. Methylprednisolone will be given as a bolus infusion of 1 × 250 mg (1 × 4 mL) over a period of 5 min. Patients allocated to placebo will receive 4 mL of isotonic saline (NaCl 0.9%). Main eligibility criteria are OHCA of presumed cardiac cause, age ≥ 18 years, Glasgow Coma Scale ≤ 8, and sustained ROSC for at least 5 min. Co-primary endpoint: Reduction of interleukin-6 and neuron-specific-enolase. Secondary endpoints: Markers of inflammation, brain, cardiac, kidney and liver damage, hemodynamic and hemostatic function, safety, neurological function at follow-up, and mortality. A research biobank is set up with blood samples taken daily during the first 72 h from hospitalization to evaluate primary and secondary endpoints. DISCUSSION: We hypothesize that early anti-inflammatory steroid treatment in the pre-hospital setting can mitigate the progression of PCAS following resuscitated OHCA. Primary endpoints will be assessed through analyses of biomarkers for inflammation and neurological damage taken during the first 72 h of admission. TRIAL REGISTRATION: EudraCT number: 2020-000855-11 ; submitted March 30, 2020 ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04624776; submitted October 12, 2020, first posted November 10, 2020.

Infective Endocarditis: An Embolic Case.

Infective endocarditis is a sudden illness that rapidly causes cardiac and extracardiac injury. Embolic material travels into the arterial circulation causing embolic events in 20-50% of patients. The brain is one of the most frequent sites of embolism that potentially interferes with treatment options. Neurologic complications are the presenting symptom in 20% of the cases being associated with poor prognosis (45% of deaths versus 24% in patients without these complications). This is the case of a 63-year-old male patient presenting with main clinic of stroke. Multifocal signs and past aortic valvuloplasty raised the suspicion of infective endocarditis and antimicrobial therapy was initiated despite an initial negative transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). Imaging study revealed vascular lesions in different arterial territories of the brain, some of them with hemorrhagic transformation and multiple splenic and renal areas of infarction. Hemodynamic instability and acute pulmonary edema developed just before surgery. Transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) confirmed a typical image of vegetation, conditioning severe aortic regurgitation, and a perivalvar abscess with fistulization to the right ventricle. Both were surgically repaired. The immediate postoperative period was characterized by cardiogenic shock, but the patient evolved favorably being transferred to the hospital ward where he continued his motor recovery. Early surgery is a mainstay in the treatment of infective endocarditis, reducing the embolic risk. Once happened, neurologic embolization may worsen the prognosis and raise doubts about further deterioration or hemorrhagic conversion following cardiopulmonary bypass. Optimal time interval between ischemic stroke and surgery has not yet been determined but recent data favour early surgery that, when indicated, should not be delayed. Most of the embolic events occur before admission making presentation variable. Clinical suspicion is highly important to the prompt institution of antibiotic therapy and the avoidance of subsequent embolic events. TTE is a sensitive tool in the diagnosis of endocarditis, but a negative result does not exclude the diagnosis specially when endocarditis is clinicalliy expected. Imaging should be systematically performed in the course of the disease to detect new and relevant complications, always being aware of the higher sensitivity of TEE to detect intracardiac complications.

Identifying nursing sensitive indicators from electronic health records in acute cardiac care-Towards intelligent automated assessment of care quality.

AIM: The aim of this study is to explore the potential of using electronic health records for assessment of nursing care quality through nursing-sensitive indicators in acute cardiac care. BACKGROUND: Nursing care quality is a multifaceted phenomenon, making a holistic assessment of it difficult. Quality assessment systems in acute cardiac care units could benefit from big data-based solutions that automatically extract and help interpret data from electronic health records. METHODS: This is a deductive descriptive study that followed the theory of value-added analysis. A random sample from electronic health records of 230 patients was analysed for selected indicators. The data included documentation in structured and free-text format. RESULTS: One thousand six hundred seventy-six expressions were extracted and divided into (1) established and (2) unestablished expressions, providing positive, neutral and negative descriptions related to care quality. CONCLUSIONS: Electronic health records provide a potential source of information for information systems to support assessment of care quality. More research is warranted to develop, test and evaluate the effectiveness of such tools in practice. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Knowledge-based health care management would benefit from the development and implementation of advanced information systems, which use continuously generated already available real-time big data for improved data access and interpretation to better support nursing management in quality assessment.

Another Way to Break Hearts: Reverse Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy.

A 34-year-old female was found to be hypoxic shortly after intubation during elective eye surgery. The patient then went into ventricular fibrillation leading to cardiac arrest. Return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) was achieved after several rounds of cardiopulmonary resuscitation with epinephrine. The patient was immediately taken for cardiac catherization which revealed angiographically normal coronary arteries. A computed tomography angiogram chest showed pulmonary embolism and unclear chronicity. Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) showed a reduced ejection fraction of 30%-35% with nearly akinetic basal walls, consistent with reverse Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. The patient was started on anticoagulation and was successfully extubated shortly afterward. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) one week later revealed a recovered left ventricular ejection fraction. Our case demonstrated variants of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy while highlighting the notion that cardiac function can be temporarily compromised by acute physiological stressors.

Hemoglobin A1C as a prognostic factor and the pre-diabetic paradox in patients admitted to a tertiary care medical center intensive cardiac care unit : The Jerusalem platelets thrombosis and intervention in cardiology (JUPITER-6) study group.

BACKGROUND: Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) is a form of glycated hemoglobin used to estimate glycemic control in diabetic patients. Data regarding the prognostic significance of HbA1c levels in contemporary intensive cardiac care unit (ICCU) patients is limited. METHODS: All patients admitted to the ICCU at a tertiary care medical center between January 1, 2020, and June 30, 2021, with documented admission HbA1c levels were included in the study. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to their HbA1c levels: < 5.7 g% [no diabetes mellitus (DM)], 5.7-6.4 g% (pre-DM), ≥ 6.5 g% (DM). RESULTS: A total of 1412 patients were included. Of them, 974 (69%) were male with a mean age of 67(± 15.7) years old. HbA1c level < 5.7 g% was found in 550 (39%) patients, 5.7-6.4 g% in 458 (32.4%) patients and ≥ 6.5 g% in 404 (28.6%) patients. Among patients who did not know they had DM, 81 (9.3%) patients had high HbA1c levels (≥ 6.5 g%) on admission. The crude mortality rate at follow-up (up to 1.5 years) was almost twice as high among patients with pre-DM and DM than in patients with no DM (10.6% vs. 5.4%, respectively, p = 0.01). Interestingly, although not statistically significant, the trend was that pre-DM patients had the strongest association with mortality rate [HR 1.83, (95% CI 0.936-3.588); p = 0.077]. CONCLUSIONS: Although an HbA1c level of ≥ 5.7 g% (pre-DM & DM) is associated with a worse prognosis in patients admitted to ICCU, pre-DM patients, paradoxically, have the highest risk for short and long-term mortality rates.

Clinically Ambiguous Hemorrhagic Cardiac Tamponade Associated with Apixaban.

Hemorrhagic cardiac tamponade in the setting of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) is rare but life-threatening. Presentation in subacute cases can also be nonspecific, which can potentially delay diagnosis. A 60-year-old female with a history of heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease presented with shortness of breath, chest pain, and cough while on treatment with apixaban after a recent hospitalization for pulmonary embolism. Clinical presentation was consistent with multiple diagnoses, including pneumonia and heart failure exacerbation. However, there were several risk factors for hemopericardium with DOACs such as elevated creatinine, hypertension, elevated international normalized ratio (INR), and concomitant use of medications with similar metabolic pathways as apixaban. In addition, subtle findings on examination such as oximetry paradoxus and electrical alternans were crucial for an early diagnosis and management. In this case, we discuss key characteristics of hemopericardium with DOACs, as well as considerations on its management.

Inverse Association Between Bystander Use of Audiovisual Feedback From an Automated External Defibrillator and Return of Spontaneous Circulation.

Background Treatment with an automated external defibrillator (AED) improves outcome in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Audiovisual feedback from an AED may assist bystanders achieve higher quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation. However, the association between audiovisual feedback and clinical outcomes is not well assessed in real-life OHCA. The aim of this study was to assess the association between audiovisual feedback from an AED used in bystander resuscitation with rates of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and 30-day survival in a real-life cohort of patients with OHCA. Methods and Results We included 325 patients treated with bystander AED use before arrival of emergency medical services during 2016 to 2019 from the Capital Region of Denmark. Patients were divided into a "feedback" and a "nonfeedback" group, depending on presence of audiovisual feedback from the AED. Audiovisual feedback was defined as voice prompts with continuous feedback to ongoing resuscitation. Rates of ROSC upon hospital admission and 30-day survival were assessed, and univariate and multivariable models were applied to decide the association to audiovisual feedback. Multivariable models were adjusted for sex, age, primary heart rhythm, and location of OHCA. A total of 155 (48%) patients had a bystander AED applied with audiovisual feedback and 170 (52%) without audiovisual feedback. A lower rate of ROSC was found in the feedback group compared with the nonfeedback group (33% [n=51] versus 45% [n=76]; P=0.03). No association was observed between AV feedback and 30-day survival (feedback=27% [n=42] and nonfeedback=31% [n=53]; P=0.49). In the unadjusted logistic regression model, audiovisual feedback was associated with a decreased chance of ROSC (odds ratio, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.38-0.95; P=0.03), which remained significant after adjusted analysis (odds ratio, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.29-0.97; P=0.04), whereas we found no significant association between audiovisual feedback and 30-day survival in the unadjusted and adjusted analyses. Conclusions Audiovisual feedback from an AED used by bystanders was associated with a lower chance of ROSC at hospital admission, but we found no significant difference in 30-day survival. Focus on early and correct bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation and AED use remain key for OHCA survival.

Acute Heart Failure in the 2021 ESC Heart Failure Guidelines: a scientific statement from the Association for Acute CardioVascular Care (ACVC) of the European Society of Cardiology.

The current European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Heart Failure Guidelines are the most comprehensive ESC document covering heart failure to date; however, the section focused on acute heart failure remains relatively too concise. Although several topics are more extensively covered than in previous versions, including some specific therapies, monitoring and disposition in the hospital, and the management of cardiogenic shock, the lack of high-quality evidence in acute, emergency, and critical care scenarios, poses a challenge for providing evidence-based recommendations, in particular when by comparison the data for chronic heart failure is so extensive. The paucity of evidence and specific recommendations for the general approach and management of acute heart failure in the emergency department is particularly relevant, because this is the setting where most acute heart failure patients are initially diagnosed and stabilized. The clinical phenotypes proposed are comprehensive, clinically relevant and with minimal overlap, whilst providing additional opportunity for discussion around respiratory failure and hypoperfusion.