#9 - Heart Failure (Dr. Bbrown) Flashcards
Define heart failure
A pathophysiologic state when the heart cannot deliver the cardiac output that matches the the metabolic demands of the tissues OR can do so only by resorting to elevated diastolic filling pressures.
By the Fick equation, what are the two determinants of Blood Pressure (and their determinates)?
Fick’s law is derived from Ohm’s law. E=IR becomes BP = CO * R
CO is determined by stroke volume (SV) and heart rate, HR.
Therefore BP = SVHRR
Heart failure symptoms are due to 2 major processes, which are?
1) decreased forward flow (cardiac output) - leads to exertional fatigue in exercising muscles, and hypotension.
2) Elevated filling pressures
Elevated filling pressures on the left side of the heart lead to ?
dyspnea (infiltrate in lung)
Dependent edema =
edema in the extremities
Elevated filling pressures on the right side of the heart lead to ?
edema in the extremities, sometimes ascites (fluid in the peritoneal cavity)
Describe the 4 New York Heart Association (NYHA) classes? Who do they apply to?
NYHA classes refer to patients with heart failure or angina. Class 1: Ordinary physical activity = no symptoms class 2 - ordinary physical activity = symptoms class 3- less than ordinary physical activity causes symptoms class 4 = symptoms at rest, increased symptoms with activity.
Can New York Heart Association (NYHA) classes change?
Yes. it is a level of function, and function can change. Heart failure stages can’t change, though.
Describe the common physical exam findings (other than vital signs) for left sided heart failure
- pulmonary crackles at the base and posteriorly (due to pulmonary congestion)
- sometimes an apical S3 gallop
Describe vital signs findings in heart failure - 3
- narrowed pulse pressure
- tachycardia at rest
- elevated respiratory rate
Describe the common physical exam findings (other than vital signs) for right sided heart failure
- edema in the extremities (dependent edema)
- sometimes ascites.
- NOTE: untreated edema in the legs or abdomen should always be accompanied by elevated jugular venous distention or positive hepatojugular reflux sign (pressing on right upper quadrant, positive exam causes elevation of jugular venous pressure). If it is not accompanied by this, consider other causes.
You have a patient with edema in the legs, you think she has heart failure. What physical exam test could you do to make the diagnosis more likely ?
Jugular venous distension (should be elevated or positive hepatojugular reflux sign. These should always be present with edema due to heart failure.
-NOTE: untreated edema in the legs or abdomen should always be accompanied by elevated jugular venous distention or positive hepatojugular reflux sign (pressing on right upper quadrant, positive exam causes elevation of jugular venous pressure). If it is not accompanied by this, consider other causes.
chest x ray findings for heart failure
cardiomegaly may or may not be present.
There may be normal heart size and lots of pulmonary congestion
T/F: in heart failure, cardiomegaly will always be present.
False.
Describe the function of pro-BNP / BNP testing. What are they used for, how do they affect the diagnosis?
Useful for heart failure.
—low levels - 500 - consistent with heart failure as the cause of dyspnea (but not specific!! eg pulmonary embolism can cause elevated BNP)
Serial BNP testing can be useful in tracking treatment of heart failure.
T/F: echocardiography is very useful for heart failure diagnosis.
True. It can show diastolic/systolic dysfunction without valve abnormality. It should be part of the workup for all cases of heart failure!
What are the 3 basic cardiac causes of heart failure
- Arrhythmia
- Myocardial disease
- Mechanical
What are the ways arrhythmia can cause heart failure?
there’s 1 he covered.
3rd degree AV block - electrical stimulations don’t reach the left ventricle. This can cause HF all on its own.
What are the 2 myocardial causes of heart failure?
- systolic dysfunction
- diastolic dysfunction.
What are the similarities and differences b/t systolic dysfunction and diastolic dysfunction as causes of heart failure. Define in terms of : -elevated diastolic filling pressure -cardiomegaly -ejection fraction -wall thickness -wall compliance -heart sounds present
Similar: They both have elevated diastolic filling pressure, which causes symptoms.
Systolic:
- cardiomegaly
- reduced ejection fraction
- normal wall thickness
- wall compliance normal
- S3 gallop = hallmark
Diastolic
- x ray normal heart size
- ejection fraction normal
- increased wall thickness
- wall compliance reduced (stiff walls)
- S4 (atrial gallop) = hallmark
An individual has heart failure due to weak contractility in his left ventricle. His heart failure is (diastolic / systolic)
systolic.
Describe the process of systolic heart failure.
Starts with an individual whose strength of contraction is subpar (SYSTOLIC DYSFUNCTION). They cannot raise CO by increasing contractility, so they increase filling pressure. The ventricular chambers are usually dilated.
diastolic dysfunction heart failure is also known as?
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
What are the 3 main mechanical causes of heart failure
- increased afterload (valve stenosis, arterial hypertension)
- volume overload
- pericardial disease
What are the three categories of precipitating causes of heart failure (ie, things that make it worse)
- high output states
- new direct insults to the heart
- indirect stresses to the heart (non-high output)