Blood flow for the intestines is altered in heart failure. Severe congestion can impact intestinal function and negatively impact the patient.
Risk factors:
(1) right heart failure
(2) fluid overload
(3) NYHA class III or IV
Clinical findings:
(1) edema of the intestinal wall with thickening
(2) onset or change in gastrointestinal symptoms
(3) congestion of other intra-abdominal organs
Complications:
(1) changes in bowel flora
(2) impaired nutritional absorption and/or cachexia
(3) endotoxin translocation with general inflammatory response
(4) cognitive dysfunction
(5) altered oral drug absorption
