Understanding and treating heart failure in children

The incidence of paediatric heart failure has increased as a result of improvement in congenital heart surgery and heart failure therapy. It seems therefore essential to understand the different mechanisms of heart failure, identify the clinical signs as early as possible and understand the rationale and treatment options.Since some of these patients, especially those with cardiomyopathy, are especially at risk of death or transplantation, it is extremely important that they are referred to reference centres for management and that cardiologists work closely with paediatricians at local hospitals. Hence the need of providing a comprehensive framework for assessment and treatment of paediatric heart failure.