Cardiac causes of SOB Flashcards
Risk factors for heart failure
Older men
PMH of Heart disease – MI is strongest risk factor
Diabetes
Family history of heart disease
Dyslipidaemia
Drug abuse
What is heart failure?
Failure of heart to maintain CO (=HRxSV) needed for the body’s requirement
Compare acute and chronic HF
Acute
- rapid onset
- worsening sx and signs of HF
- urgent tx
Chronic
- long-term
- develops and progresses slowly
- can have periods of acute decompensation
Compare low and high output HF
Low output
- CO decrease so fails to match normal body demands thus normally appears on exertion
High output
- CO normal but high body demand thus occurs when heart fails to meet high demands so heart is overworked and strained
Causes of high output HF
NAP+MEALS:
N utritional (thiamine def.)
A naemia
P regnancy
M alignancy (muliple myeloma)
E ndocrine (hyperthyroidism)
A V malformations
L iver cirrhoisis
S epsis
Top ddx of increased JVP
1) RHF
2) Triscuspid regurgitation
3) Constrictive pericarditis
Sx of chronic RHF
*Due to fluid accumulation in periphery:
Swelling (ankles, facial enlargement, ascites)
Weight gain (oedema)
Fatigue
Reduced exercise tolerance
Anorexia
Nausea
Nocturia
Sx of chronic LHF
*Due to fluid accumulation in lungs:
Exertional dyspnoea
Orthopnoea (SOB lying down)
Paraoxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea (attack of SOB at night)
Fatigue
Wheeze
Nocturnal cough +/- pink frothy sputum
Signs of chronic RHF
Face swelling
Increased JVP
Ascites +/- hepatomegaly
TR murmur
Increased HR and RR
Pitting oedema in ankles and sacrum
Signs of chronic LHF
Increased HR and RR
Fine end inspiratory crackles at lung bases (pulmonary oedema)
Wheeze
Irregularly irregular heart beat
AS/AR/MR murmur
S3; gallop rhythm
S4; severe HF
Displaced apex beat
Pulsus alternans (alternating strong and weak beats)
Which heart failure can occur as cor pulmonale?
Pulmonary HTN => increased pressure in lungs/vascular resistance => enlarged RV => failure of RV => RHF
Causes of RHF
LHF
Heart valves: TR, pulmonary valve disease
Lungs: pulmonary HTN, PE, chronic lung disease (CF, pulmonary fibrosis, interstitial lung disease)
Causes of LHF
Systemic: HTN, amyloidosis, drugs (cocaine, BBs, alcohol)
Valvular: MR, AR, AS
Heart muscle: AF, IHD, cardiomyopathy, myocarditis
Ix for HF
Bedside: ECG
Bloods: FBC, U&Es, LFTs, TFTs, BNP*
Imaging: CXT, TTE w/ doppler*
Which ix is diagnostic for HF?
Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) with doppler
- calculates ejection fracture
- shows the % of blood present in LV when pumped during systole (n=50-70%)
- can indicate cause, i.e. MI or valvular disease
What can the results from a TTE show?
EF<40% => HFrEF
- systolic HF
- unable for ventricle to contract normally
EF>50% => HFpEF
- diastolic HF
- unable for ventricle to relax normally
Which bloods is most sensitive to HF?
Brain natriuretic protein (BNP)
- if high => TTE next step
- if low => HF unlikely
Highly sensitive but non-specific as increases whenever there is increased stretch to the heart
What may a CXT show if HF present?
A lveolar oedema
B -lines (Kerley)
C ardiomegaly
D ilated upper lobe vessels
E ffusion (pleural, transudative)
Which criteria is used for HF diagnosis and how?
Framingham Criteria
- must have 2+ major signs/sx present of 1 major and 2 minor
MAJOR includes
- acute pulm. oedema, wt loss, neck vein distention, cardiomegaly, increased central venous pressure, bilateral creptitations, PND, S3 gallop
MINOR includes
- bilateral ankle oedema, dyspnoea on ordinary exertion, tachycardia, pleural effusion, nocturnal cough, decrease in vital capacity by 1/3
Management of chronic HF
Conservative:
- smoking cessation, exercise, diet (reduce salt)
Medical:
1. ACEi - enalapril (improves survival + slows down progression)
2. BBs - carvedilol, bisoprolol (reduce O2 demand on heart, synergistic effect with ACEi)
3. Diuretics - furosemide, chlorothiazide, spironolactone (use if eveidence of fluid retention, monitor electrolytes)
4. Digoxin - positive inotrope (increase contractility, good for sx relief not overall survival)
5. Other - hydralazine nitrate, cardiac resynchronisation, implantable cardiac defib. (treat cause!)
How does acute HF typically present?
Hx
- dyspnoea, cough, wheeze, pink frothy sputum, swelling legs, sx of underlying condition
O/E
- pulsus alternans, increased HR + RR, cyanosis, peripheral shutdown, S3 gallop rhythm, fine end inspiratory crackles
Causes of acute HF
Decompensation of previous chronic HF
- MI, AF, infection, uncontrolled HTN
ACS