LVAD and HF Flashcards
(48 cards)
What is the purpose of an LVAD?
- To correct a left ventricular problem
Where does an LVAD pump blood too?
From the left ventricle of the heart, to the aorta and around the body.
What is the LVAD powered by?
External batteries.
What is the average blood pressure of someone fitted with an LVAD?
60-90 systolic
What are the major health risk to LVAD fitted patients?
- Stroke
- DVT
- Infection
- PE
What does an LVAD rescue pack include?
- Spare batteries
- Spare controller
- Power lead
- LVAD contact card
What alteration in the circulation section of medical patient assessment needs to be made for an LVAD patient?
- Auscultion over the heart to listen for humming and alarms.
What is a mean BP?
The average BP between the systolic and the diastolic.
Define “Atrophy”.
The wastage of muscle.
Define “Hypertrophy”.
The growth of muscle.
What is the impact of left ventricular hypertrophy?
- Increased muscle mass reduces the chamber size, due to the limited space in the thoracic cavity.
- Reduced capacity, reduces the stroke volume from the left ventricle.
How is stroke volume calculated?
SV = Preload + contractility - afterload
How is cardiac output calculated?
CO = Stroke volume x heart rate
Define “Heart failure”.
A Clinical syndrome characterised by several signs and symptoms, where the left ventricle isn’t pumping blood properly.
What are the common causes or heart failure?
- Coronary heart disease
- MI near or in/near/around left ventricle
- Reduced valve effectiveness
- Rhythmic changes
What is the result of valve stenosis?
- Causes the valve to not fully open/close
Where does heart failure occur?
- Right and left ventricles
What might mask Right ventricular heart failure?
- Left ventricular heart failure.
Define “Remodelling”
Where tissue regrow into a slightly different shape, altering the function/ ability to complete a function.
What would increase to maintain cardiac output, in cases of acute heart failure?
- Heart rate, as stroke volume reduced.
What occurs when there is a reduced volume in the left ventricle.
Back flow into the left atrium and pulmonary vein. Leading to increased hydrostatic pressure, and fluid returning back into the alveoli.
What are the backward effects of heart failure?
- Reduced left ventricular emptying
- Increased pressure in the left atrium
- Volume and pressure increase in the pulmonary veins and capillaries
- Fluid leaks into the alveoli
What are the forward effects of heat failure?
- Reduced cardiac output
- Reduced perfusion at the tissues
- Reduced blood flow at the kidneys
- Increased reabsorption of sodium and water
What are the signs and symptoms of heart failure?
- Dyspnoea
- Orthopnoea
- Tachycardia
- cough
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Cyanosis
- Crackles/ wheeze
