Acute Left Ventricular Failure

Question 1

When does this occur?

Answer 1

When acute events prevent the left ventricle from being able to effectively move blood from the left side of the heart to the systemic circulation

Question 2

What symptom does left ventricular failure cause?

Answer 2

pulmonary oedema

Question 3

How does left ventricular failure cause shortness of breath?

Answer 3

interferes with normal gas exchange in the lungs

Question 5

What symptoms does this cause?

Answer 5

pulmonary oedema
acute SOB (exacerbated by lying flat and improves on sitting up)
type 1 respiratory failure
looking and feeling unwell
pink/ white frothy sputum

Question 6

Why does heart failure cause pulmonary oedema?

Answer 6

interferes with normal gas exchange in lungs
causes SOB and reduced oxygen stats

Question 7

What can cause acute left ventricular failure?

Answer 7

decompensated chronic heart failure
iatrogenic
MI
arrhythmias
sepsis
hypertensive emergency

Question 8

What examination findings would there be?

Answer 8

raised heart rate, low oxygen, tachycardia, 3rd heart sound, bilateral basal crackles, hypotension in severe cases

Question 9

What examination findings would there be in right sided heart failure?

Answer 9

raised JVP
peripheral oedema

Question 10

What blood test is used to diagnose heart failure?

Answer 10

B-type naturitic peptide

Question 11

How would you manage this?

Answer 11

IV furosemide
oxygen
stop fluids
monitor fluid balance

Question 11

What chest x-ray findings would you see?

Answer 11

cardiomegaly
reduced upper lobe diversion
Kerley lines caused by fluid leaking