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Achieving stability in your patient

Some key aspects for defining stability in a CHF patient: [35]

• The absence of congestion, and therefore orphopnea, and edema

• No recent weight increases

• Adequate cardiac output at rest

  • Systolic BP of >= 80mmHg and pulse pressure of >=25%

• The ability to dress without stopping and to walk a city block

• Psychologically sound - some patients, such as those with serious depression may require psychiatric consultation.

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35. Grady KL, Dracup K, Kennedy G, Moser DK, Piano M, Stevenson LW, Young JB. Team Management of Patients with Heart Failure: A statemetn for healthcare professionals from the cardiovascular nursing council of the American Heart Association. Curculation 2000;102:2443-2456.

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