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Boston Criteria for Diagnosing Heart Failure |
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Written by G. Firman MD
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Friday, 27 February 2009 10:36 |
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Criterion | Point value | | Category I: history | | | Rest dyspnea | 4 | | Orthopnea | 4 | | Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea | 3 | | Dyspnea while walking on level area | 2 | | Dyspnea while climbing | 1 | | Category II: physical examination | | | Heart rate abnormality (1 point if 91 to 110 beats per minute; 2 points if more than 110 beats per minute) | 1 or 2 | | Jugular venous elevation (2 points if greater than 6 cm H2O; 3 points if greater than 6 cm H2O plus hepatomegaly or edema) | 2 or 3 | | Lung crackles (1 point if basilar; 2 points if more than basilar) | 1 or 2 | | Wheezing | 3 | | Third heart sound | 3 | | Category III: chest radiography | | | Alveolar pulmonary edema | 4 | | Interstitial pulmonary edema | 3 | | Bilateral pleural effusion | 3 | | Cardiothoracic ratio greater than 0.50 | 3 | | Upper zone flow redistribution | 2 | No more than 4 points are allowed from each of three categories; hence the composite score (the sum of the subtotal from each category) has a possible maximum of 12 points. The diagnosis of heart failure is classified as "definite" at a score of 8 to 12 points, "possible" at a score of 5 to 7 points, and "unlikely" at a score of 4 points or less.
References: -
Marantz PR, Tobin JN, Wassertheil-Smoller S, Steingart RM, Wexler JP, Budner N, Lense L, Wachspress J. The relationship between left ventricular systolic function and congestive heart failure diagnosed by clinical criteria. Circulation. 1988 Mar;77(3):607-12. [Medline] -
Remes J, Miettinen H, Reunanen A, Pyorala K. Validity of clinical diagnosis of heart failure in primary health care. Eur Heart J. 1991 Mar;12(3):315-21. [Medline]
Created: July 17, 2006
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 24 January 2012 08:02 |