CHF Flashcards
Describe cardiogenic pulmonary edema
An abnormal, diffuse and extravascular accumulation of fluid in the pulmonary tissues and air spaces that arises with changes in hydrostatic forces associated with left sided heart failure
How is heart disease ranked as a cause of death in the US?
1
Accounts for 1 in 7 deaths
What are some of the difference between cardiogenic pulmonary edema and non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema (ARDS)?
Non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema is the result of the immune system attacking the body
Cardiogenic edema is a result of increased hydrostatic forces in the pulmonary capillaries
Non-cardiogenic edema generates exudate
Cardiogenic edema generates transudate
Describe the basic gist of what is happening in the heart that results in pulmonary edema
The left ventricle fails to move blood forward
Pressure in the left ventricle increases
Because pressure in the left ventricle increased, blood from the left atrium cant get in completely so the pressure in the atrium grows
The blood in the pulmonary circulation gets backed up as a result
Pulmonary capillaries act as a relief valve
What is the normal systolic pressure in the pulmonary capillaries?
10-15 mmHg
What is the normal capillary oncotic pressure?
25-30 mmHg
What happens when pulmonary arterial pressure exceeds 30 mmHg?
When PAP exceeds capillary oncotic pressure, the balance tips and fluid is pushed out of the capillaries and is not pulled back in by the oncotic pressure resulting in pulmonary edema
Do red blood cells affect oncotic pressure?
No, since the hemoglobin protein is inside the cell wall of the RBC, they do not affect oncotic pressure
What are some causes of heart failure?
CAD
Arrhythmias
Myocarditis
Acute valve dysfunctions
Cardiomyopathy
Hypertension that isnt controlled
What are the two “flavors” of heart failure?
Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
What is heart failure with preserved ejection fraction as called?
Diastolic heart failure
Describe what has happened in HFrEF
The left ventricle has suffered something that has resulted in reduced contractility and can no longer move the normal amount of blood
What does an ejection fraction of >70% indicate?
Hyperdynamic
How can you estimate LVEF?
By using an echocardiogram to estimate heart function
Describe what is happening in HFpEF
The fraction of the left ventricular volume being ejected is preserved
But the total volume of the left ventricle is reduced because the ventricle is failing to fully relax after systole so it cant be completely refilled
What is the normal range for ejection fraction?
50-70%
What does an ejection fraction of 40-49 indicate?
Mild dysfunction
What ejection fraction constitutes a mild dysfunction
40-49%
What does an ejection fraction of 30-39% indicate?
Moderate dysfunction
What ejection fraction constitutes moderate dysfunction?
30-39%
What does an ejection fraction of <30% indicate?
Severe dysfunction