Protocolo diagnóstico de la disnea crónica cardiogénica

Abstract

Dyspnea is a symptom that affects 25% of patients in outpatient settings and is a well-studied predictor of mortality. Chronic dyspnea (more than three weeks) may originate from various conditions and represents a diagnostic challenge due to the overlap of different clinical presentations and comorbidities. Cardiogenic dyspnea may result from ischemic heart disease, heart failure, valvular heart diseases, hypertension, or arrhythmias. A detailed medical history and comprehensive physical examination, including inspection, palpation, and auscultation of the patient, are essential for its diagnosis. With this, the origin of the dyspnea can be identified in two-thirds of cases. However, performing additional tests will confirm or rule out the potential cardiogenic origin and allow for guiding the individual suspicion for each patient. These tests include chest X-rays, electrocardiogram, blood analysis, echocardiography, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, and cardiac catheterization.