Cor Pulmonale

Question 1

What 3 things do you want to avoid in RHF?

Answer 1

Hypoxia
Hypercapnia
Acidosis

Because this will increase pulmonary vascular resistance and therefore strain on the right heart

Question 2

What happens to the right heart during mechanical ventilation?

Answer 2

Intrathoracic pressure increases, decreasing venous return to the right heart and therefore stroke volume. This decreases LV stroke volume.

Question 3

What happens in right heart failure?

Answer 3

The right heart becomes more dilates, ballooning into the LV via the septum causing ventricular interdependence. This decreases the LV stroke volume causing decreases in pulse pressure, cardiac output.

Question 4

What are the first signs of right heart failure?

Answer 4

Increased PPV due to ventricular interdependence (decreased stroke volume due to ballooning of right heart into LV and pooling of blood in the pulmonary vasculature