Management of perioperative heart failure.

Purpose Of Review: In the perioperative period, acute heart failure can result from a variety of conditions, and treatment may vary considerably depending on its mechanism. This review aims to provide conceptual framework by selectively presenting recent knowledge and advances in acute heart failure therapies including drugs (inotropes, diuretics) and devices (mechanical assistance, biventricular pacing, ultrafiltration).

Recent Findings: The calcium sensitizer levosimendan, showed a mortality benefit in cardiac surgery patients in a recent meta-analysis.