Morphine in the Setting of Acute Heart Failure: Do the Risks Outweigh the Benefits?

The use of opioids in acute pulmonary oedema is considered standard therapy by many physicians. The immediate relieving effect of morphine on the key symptomatic discomfort associated with acute heart failure, dyspnoea, facilitated the categorisation of morphine as a beneficial treatment in this set...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Oren Caspi, Doron Aronson
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Radcliffe Medical Media 2020-07-01
Series:Cardiac Failure Review
Online Access:https://www.cfrjournal.com/articleindex/cfr.2019.22
Description
Summary:The use of opioids in acute pulmonary oedema is considered standard therapy by many physicians. The immediate relieving effect of morphine on the key symptomatic discomfort associated with acute heart failure, dyspnoea, facilitated the categorisation of morphine as a beneficial treatment in this setting. During the last decade, several retrospective studies raised concerns regarding the safety and efficacy of morphine in the setting of acute heart failure. In this article, the physiological effects of morphine on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems are summarised, as well as the potential clinical benefits and risks associated with morphine therapy. Finally, the reported clinical outcomes and adverse event profiles from recent observational studies are discussed, as well as future perspectives and potential alternatives to morphine in the setting of acute heart failure.
ISSN:2057-7540
2057-7559