Case 4: Acute-on-chronic Breathlessness Flashcards
(122 cards)
A Wave (Cardiac Cycle)
end diastole
V Wave (Cardiac Cycle)
late systole
V Wave (Cardiac Cycle)
early systole
diastole
relaxation of heart
systole
contraction of heart
p wave
atrial depolarisation
QRS complex
ventricular depolarisation and atrial repolarisation
t wave
ventricular repolarisation
Symptoms of heart failure
Tachycardia, decreased exercise tolerance, dyspnea, peripheral and pulmonary edema, cardiomegaly
Heart failure is the most likely cause due to the combination presence of dyspnoea, oedema, elevated JVP, basal crepitations.
Dyspnoea
by definition refers to a state where the subject is uncomfortably aware of his/her breathing. It is usually associated with either the increase in the work of breathing - associated with reduced lung compliance (stiff lungs) or increased respiratory rate. It is therefore a non-specific symptom and may occur in diseases pertaining to the cardiovascular, respiratory systems or in the presence of severe anaemia. Review the causes of dyspnoea in these systems.
diaphoretic
sweating
Furosemide
loop diuretic used in the treatment of congestive heart failure and oedema
Loop diuretics MOA
Act on ascending loop of Henle, inhibit sodium-potassium-chloride transporter; decrease renal vascular resistance
investigations for presentation of heart failure
BNP
FBC
ECG
LFT
CXR
ABG
action potential in the heart starts in the
sinoatrial node
rapid depolarization
massive influx of sodium ions
voltage dependant inactivation
The fast inactivation of voltage-dependent calcium channels is an important, intrinsic regulatory mechanism that helps to precisely control the amount of calcium entering excitable cells during membrane depolarizations.
His-Purkinje system
portion of the conduction system consisting of the bundle of His, bundle branches, and Purkinje fibers
pacemaker
A group of cells located in the right atrium that sends out signals that make the heart muscle contract and that regulates heart rate.
myogenic mechanism
based on the tendency of smooth muscle to contract when stretched
Abnormal Pacemaker Function
bradycardia
tachycardia
ectopic pacemaker
Triggered arrhythmias
Early afterdepolarizations (torsades de pointes) occur in phase 2 or 3, before cell has repolarized
Treat by shortening AP, or decrease dose of antiarrhythmic patient is already on
Delayed afterdepolarizations occur in phase 4, after cell has repolarized but before normal successive depolarization would occur
Treat by reducing Ca overload, decreasing digitalis dose
Early After Depolarization Causes
Decreased outward K current > prolonged APD
Can be genetic or acquired - problem with drug potential
APD
cardiac action potential duration