Current therapies in the management of systolic and diastolic dysfunction.

Heart failure, especially caused by systolic dysfunction, is the most common cause of hospitalization in the elderly population and the annual expenditure required for its management is at least $10 billion. The critical care nurse can play an active role in recognizing the differences between systolic and diastolic dysfunction, and teaching the patient and family that improper management or underuse of therapies can lead to disease progression.