Cardiovascular Flashcards
(24 cards)
What is heart failure?
the inability of cardiac output to meet the physiological demands of the body
What are symptoms of left ventricular failure (LVF)?
Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea. wheeze, nocturnal cough with pink sputum caused by pulmonary oedema
What can cause symptoms of right ventricular failure (RVF)?
usually caused by LVF or lung disease, peripheral oedema and ascites
What are causes of left-sided heart failure?
Coronary artery disease Hypertension Aortic valve disease Mitral valve disease Myocardial disease
What are the causes of right-sided heart failure?
left sided heart failure
tricuspid valve disease
pulmonary valve disease
pulmonary vascular disease
What is class 1 of the New York Heart Associate classification of heart failure?
No limitation of physical activity
What is class 2 of the New York Heart Associate classification of heart failure?
Slight limitation of physical activity
What is class 3 of the New York Heart Associate classification of heart failure?
Marked limitation of physical activity
What is class 4 of the New York Heart Associate classification of heart failure?
Inability to carry out physical activity
What are the complications of heart failure?
Renal failure
Valve dysfunction
Stroke
What are the investigations for heart failure?
Bloods - FBC, U&Es, LFTs, TFTs, Lipid profile, BNP
Chest X-ray
Echo
ECG
What does BNP show?
How much the myocytes are stretched.
What are the findings on a chest X-ray that indicate heart failure?
Alveolar oedema Kerly B lines Cardiomegaly Dilated upper lobe vessels Pleural Effusion
what is the purpose of the echo?
Aims to identify cause and assess function of the heart
what does reduced myocardial efficiency lead to?
Increased work load
decreased cardiac output
decreased contractility
what does an increased workload, decreased cardiac output and decreased contractility lead to?
Activation of compensatory mechanisms
what are some of the compensatory mechanisms in heart failure?
Activation of RAAS
Activation of sympathetic nervous system
Increased myocyte size
what does RAAS activation lead to?
causes Na+ ion and H2O retention, and peripheral vasoconstriction –> increased preload
what does the activation of sympathetic nervous system lead to?
increased heart rate and leads to increased cardiac damage
what does chronic activation of compensatory mechanisms lead to?
worsens heart failure and leads to increased cardiac damage
what is the cause of cardiac dilation?
increased end diastolic volume
what is the raised JVP linked to?
right-sided heart failure and fluid overload
what causes hepatomegaly in heart failure?
congestion of the hepatic portal circulation
What is the conservative treatment for heart failure?
smoking cessation
weight loss
promotion of a healthy diet and exercise
