New non-invasive methods for the diagnosis of heart failure

Heart failure (HF) is a complex progressing syndrome of clinical symptoms of heterogenic aetiology with still high rate of morbidity and mortality. Manifestation of HF symptoms is a factor significantly worsening the patient’s prognosis. Thus, early diagnosis of HF still in its asymptomatic period is a great challenge for cardiology. The currently available non-invasive diagnostic methods such as: natriuretic peptides determination, computed tomography, cardiac magnetic resonance and positron emission tomography assessing myocardial viability enable early diagnosis of HF and establishing its aetiology. This study presents current knowledge on new non-invasive diagnostic methods applied in HF. (Clin Exp
Med Lett 2008; 49(2): 69-75)

Keywords: Natriuretic Peptides, computed tomography, cardiac magnetic resonance, radioisotopic examinations, myocardial viability