Diseases Of The Heart Flashcards Preview

ESA 1 - Body Logistics > Diseases Of The Heart > Flashcards

Flashcards in Diseases Of The Heart Deck (11)
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1
Q

What is left ventricular heart failure?

A

Left ventricle loses ability to contract normally - can’t pump with enough force to push enough blood into circulation.

2
Q

What causes LVF?

A
  1. Myocardial infarction
  2. Hypertrophic or dilated cardiomyopathy
  3. Hypertension
  4. Mitral stenosis or aortic insufficiency
  5. Arrhythmias
3
Q

What is mitral stenosis?

A
  • Narrowing of mitral valve
  • Restricts blood flow from left atrium to left ventricle
  • Decreased volume of blood pumped into systemic circulation.
4
Q

What is aortic insufficiency?

A
  • Leaking aortic valve

- Blood flow from aorta to left ventricle

5
Q

Why is LVF worse when lying down?

A
  1. Redistribution of blood from lower extremities to lungs - additional volume cannot be pumped out by LV.
  2. May also be reabsorption of oedema fluid from other parts of the body.
6
Q

What happens to plasma brain natriuretic peptide in heart failure?

A
  • BNP = biologically active peptide with vasodilator and natriuretic properties. Cleaved from pro-BNP released from cardiac ventricles in response to myocyte stretching.
  • BNP levels increase markedly in LVF and level in heart failure correlates with symptom severity - important clinical marker for diagnosis of heart failure in patients with unexplained dyspnoea.
7
Q

What are the symptoms of LVF?

A
  1. Tachycardia
  2. Cyanosis
  3. Fatigue
  4. Confusion
  5. Restlessness
  6. Elevated pulmonary wedge pressure
  7. Exertional dyspnea
  8. Orthopnea
  9. Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
  10. Pulmonary congestion
    - cough
    - crackles
    - wheezes
    - blood-tinged sputum
    - tachypnea
8
Q

What is tachypnea?

A

Increase in respiratory rate above normal.

9
Q

What is dyspnea?

A

Subjective sensation of difficult/uncomfortable breathing.

10
Q

What is orthopnea?

A

Sensation of breathlessness in the recumbent position.

11
Q

What is paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea?

A

Sensation of breathlessness that awakens the patient, usually after 1 or 2 hrs sleep.