Cardiac causes of SOB Flashcards
Which valvular disease is most common through HF
Mitral regurgitation
Which is the biggest sign of CHF
Breathlessness with pulmonary oedema due to abnormal salt and water retention
Three ways chronic low CO LHF manifests
Valvular pathology
Heart muscle pathology
Systemic pathology
What are the valvular causes of low CO LHF (3)
Aortic stenosis,
Aortic Regurgitation
Mitral Regurgitation
What are the heart muscle causes of low CO LHF (4)
Ischaemic Heart Disease
Cardiomyopathy
Myocarditis
Arrhythmias (AF)
What are the systemic causes of low CO LHF (3)
Hypertension, Amyloidosis Drugs (e.g. cocaine, alcohol, chemotherapeutics - eg doxorubicin)
Which drugs can cause low CO LHF (4)
cocaine, alcohol, BBs*, chemotherapeutics - eg doxorubicin
How does aortic stenosis cause low CO LHF
causes excessive afterload. Basically the ventricle has to push harder to eject blood from a stenosed aortic valve. (NB: afterload = the pressure the heart must work against to eject blood during systole)
How does aortic regurg cause low CO LHF
There is increased pressure in the LV due to the regurgitant blood form the aorta to the LV (the LV in addition to having to pump the normal volume of blood, has to pump the regurgitant blood as well). These changes lead to cardiac remodeling (dilatation, hypertrophy) leading to heart failure.
How does mitral regurg cause low CO LHF
If significant (moderate to severe) MR is present, the Left Ventricle must work harder to keep up with the body’s demands for oxygenated blood. Over time, the heart muscle and circulatory system undergo a series of changes to maintain this increased demand – due to mechanical overload the LV overtime can become, hypertrophied, fibrotic, dilated and scarred, ending up with an impaired myocardial function. This can lead to LHF (mitral regurgitation increases preload)
How does hypertension cause LHF
increases afterload. LV has to push harder in order to push blood against high systemic pressures. This over time puts strain in the LV leading to LHF.
How does amyloidosis cause LHF
In amyloidosis, an abnormal protein called amyloid builds-up in tissues and organs. If amyloid gets deposited in the heart, the heart becomes increasingly stiff and eventually the pumping function deteriorates
Three ways chronic low CO RHF manifests
LHF
Lungs
Heart valves
What are the lung causes of low CO RHF (3+3 examples)
Pulmonary HTN (can lead to cor pulmonale) PE Chronic Lung Disease (interstitial lung disease, pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis)
What is cor pulmonale
Enlargement and failure of RV due to increased pressure in the lungs/vascular resistance
Which interstitial lung diseases can cause low CO RHF (3)
interstitial lung disease, pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis
Which valvular diseases can cause low CO RHF (2)
TR
Pulmonary valve Disease
How do chronic lung diseases cause heart failure
Chronic lung disease can result in chronic hypoxia: The pulmonary vasculature results to chronic hypoxia by vasoconstriction. This increases vascular resistance and and results in increased pulmonary arterial pressure. The right heart reacts to this by remodeling (hypertrophy and dilatation). Over time it can lead to RHF.
What can cause high output HF (8)
NAP MEALS
Nutritional (B1: thiamine) Anaemia Pregnancy Malignancy (multiple myeloma) Endocrine (hyperthyroidism) AV malformations Liver cirrhosis Sepsis
How does high CO HF present
High output HF presents initially with features of RHF and then LHF becomes more apparent
What are the main symptoms of RHF due to
RHF: symptoms due to fluid accumulation in the periphery
What are the main symptoms of LHF due to
LHF: respiratory symptoms due to fluid accumulation in the lungs
Which HF gives pulmonary symptoms
LHF
Which HF gives systemic symptoms
RHF
LHF symptims (6)
Exertional dyspnea Orthopnoea (SOB when lying flat) Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea – PND (attacks of SOB at night) Fatigue Nocturnal Cough (+/- pink frothy sputum) Wheeze
Which murmurs are seen in LHF
Murmur (AS, MR, AR)
Which heart sounds are added in LHG
S3 Gallop rhythm
S4 in severe HF
What signs are seen in the lung in LHF (2)
Fine end-inspiratory crackles at lung bases (pulmonary oedema)
Wheeze (cardiac asthma)
What are the signs of LHF (10 heart 2 lung)
↑HR, ↑RR Irregularly Irregular heart beat Pulsus alternans Displaced apex beat S3 Gallop rhythm S4 in severe HF Murmur (AS, MR, AR) Fine end-inspiratory crackles at lung bases (pulmonary oedema) Wheeze (cardiac asthma
RHF symptoms (7)
Swelling (ankles, facial engorgement, ascites) Weight gain (due to oedema) Fatigue Reduced exercise tolerance Anorexia Nausea Nocturia
Main 3 causes of raised JVP
RHF
Tricuspid regurg
Constrictive pericarditis
Signs of RHF (8)
Face: face swelling Neck: ↑JVP Heart/Chest: TR murmur, ↑HR, ↑RR Abdomen: Ascites, hepatomegaly Other: pitting oedema in ankles & sacrum
HF Ix
ECG
FBC, U&Es, LFTs, TFTs BNP
CXR TTE - DIAGNOSTIC
What is HFrEF also known as and what does it suggest
systolic HF
Indicates inability of the ventricle to contract normally
What is HFpEF also known as and what does it suggest
diastolic HF
Indicates inability of the ventricle to relax and fill normally
What is a normal EF
50-70%
What % is HFrEF
<40%
What % is HFpEF
> 50%
CXR features of HF (5)
Alveolar oedema B-lines (kerley) Cardiomegaly Dilated upper lobe vessels Effusion (pleural, transudative)
Conservative Mx of HF (3)
smoking cessation, weight management (exercise), diet (reduce salt intake)
Medical Mx of chronic HF (4)
ACE inhibitors (enalapril): should be given to ALL pts with LV dysfunction as it improves survival and slows down progression.
BBs (carvedilol, bisoprolol): reduce O2 demand on the heart. All patients with CHF should receive a BB once established on an ACEi – improve survival & synergistic effects with ACEi.
Diuretics (furosemide, chlorothiazide, spironolactone): use if evidence of fluid retention, monitor electrolytes (spironolactone can cause hyperkalaemia)
Digoxin: +inotrope (increases heart contractility), helps improve symptoms but does NOT increase overall survival.
What can lead to acute decompensation of chronic heart failure (5)
MI, Arrhythmias, Infection, Hypo/hyperthyroidism, Uncontrolled HTN
What are the 2 ways of getting acute HF
Decompensation of previous chronic HF
Acute Coronary Syndrome
What additional heart sound is present with what rhythm in acute HF
S3 gallop rhythm
What is heard in the lungs in acute HF
Fine end inspiratory crackles
What is pulses alternans
is alternating strong and weak pulses. In left ventricular systolic failure, the ejection fraction is low, which causes a reduced stroke volume and an increased end-diastolic volume. The high end-diastolic volume, following one weak contraction, stretches the ventricular muscle fibres which, by Starling’s law, leads to a stronger subsequent contraction.
Acute HF Mx
Sit patient up
High-flow Oxygen via non rebreathe mask (Target SpO2 = 94-98%)
Furosemide 40-80mg IV
(GTN infusion evidence of pulmonary oedema AND SBP > 90mmHg)
Consider CPAP (if sats are dropping)
Treat cardiogenic shock if BP < 90mmHg with positive inotropes (e.g. dobutamine)
What is the target SpO2 when managing acute HF
94-98%
Which mask do we use when managing acute HF
Non-rebreathe
What do you need to monitor and why when giving furosemide during acute HF
Monitor U & Es bc you can get hypokalaemia
When is GTN indicated in acute HF
GTN infusion evidence of pulmonary oedema AND severe hypertension or angina
When is CPAP indicated in acute HF
Consider CPAP (if sats are dropping)
How do you treat cardiogenic shock if BP < 90mmHg in acute HF
with positive inotropes (e.g. dobutamine)
Complications of HF (4)
Pleural effusion
Renal failure (long standing HF can lead to hypoperfusion)
Acute exacerbations
Death
Prognosis of HF
50% of severe HF pts die within 2 years
In AHF, in hospital mortality: 2-20%
Define cardiomyopathy
A group of diseases in which the myocardium becomes structurally and functionally abnormal (in the absence of coronary artery disease, valvular disease and congenital heart disease)
What is the difference between primary and secondary cardiomyopathy
Primary: Confined to myocardium
Secondary: Part of a systemic disease
What are the 4 types of cardiomyopathy
HCM = Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, DCM = Dilated cardiomyopathy, ARVC = Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, RCM = Restrictive cardiomyopathy
History of a cardiomyopathy (3 (+4 specific symptoms))
Symptoms of HF SOB on exertion Fainting Dizziness Fatigue
Sudden death often 1st presentation
Family History
What is dilated cardiomyopathy associated with (5)
Alcohol Post viral AI Haemochromatosis genetic
Symptoms of dilated cardiomyopathy (6)
HF (dyspnoea, fatigue,
arrhythmias, ankle swelling, ascites)
Signs of dilated cardiomyopathy (5)
↑ JVP
TR, MR murmur
S3
Displaced apex beat
Which valvular pathology is seen in dilated cardiomyopathy
TR, MR murmur
What extra heart sound is heard in dilated cardiomyopathy
S3
What Ix for dilated cardiomyopathy
CXR
Echo
What happens in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
The heart thickens inwards. The
thickened ventricle may block the
Blood flow out of the ventricle
What happens in dilated cardiomyopathy
the Ventricles enlarge, become dilated,
Weaken and can’ t contact
effectively.
What proportion of HOCM is congenital and what is its mode of inheritance
50% is familial (Autosomal dominant)
Symptoms of HOCM
Angina, dyspnea on exertion, palpitations, syncope
Often sudden cardiac death might be the 1st presentation
Signs of HOCM (4)
Ejection systolic murmur Jerky carotid pulse Double apex beat S4 Apex beat NOT displaced
Difference between apex beat in HOCM and dilated cardiomyopathy
NOT displaced in HOCM and double in HOCM
ECG findings of HOCM (3)
ECG findings:
Q waves
Left axis deviation
Signs of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy
LVH by voltage criteria (3)
Deep S in V1/2
Tall R in V5/6
S in V1 + R in V5 or V6 ≥ 7 large squares
Ix for HOCM
ECG
Echo
What happens in restrictive cardiomyopathy
The
ventricles become abnormally rigid and lack the flexibility to
expand as the ventricles fill with blood
Causes of restrictive cardiomyopathy (3)
Idiopathic, familial,
Systemic (e.g. infiltrative)
What is Kussmaul’s sign
Kussmaul’s sign (paradoxical rise in JVP in inspiration due to restricted filling of the ventricles)
Which cardiomyopathy has Kussmaul’s sign
Restrictive
Symptoms of restrictive cardiomyopathy (4)
Asymptomatic or
symptoms of HF (dyspnea, fatigue)
What is arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy
There is progressive fatty and fibrous replacement
of the ventricular myocardium.
Aetiology of ARVC
inherited (AD)
Presentation of ARVC
Can be asymptomatic initially or present
with symptoms of arrhythmias especially during exercise
Define constrictive pericarditis
chronic
inflammation of the pericardium with
thickening and scarring
Causes of constrictive pericarditis (6)
Idiopathic
Infectious (TB, Bacterial, Viral)
Acute pericarditis
Cardiac surgery and radiation
S/s of constrictive pericarditis (4)
(resembles
Restrictive cardiomyopathy):
RHF symptoms (dyspnea, ↑ JVP, fluid congestion)
Kussmaul’s sign
Ix for constrictive pericarditis (3)
CXR: pericardial calcification
ECHO: ↑ pericardial thickness
Cardiac CT/MRI
What happens in constrictive pericarditis
the pericardium, the sac that encloses the heart becomes inflamed. There are 2 layers of pericardium (visceral and parietal). These 2 layers are normally distensible with a small space between them containing fluid. However, in constrictive pericarditis they become inflamed and they fuse.
Basically it acts as if there was a box around the heart.
Bacterial causes of constrictive pericarditis (2)
staphylococci and pseudomonas
Viral causes of constrictive pericarditis (2)
coxsackievirus, hepatitis
What is myocarditis
Inflammation of the myocardium
Causes of myocarditis (5)
Infectious, Drugs, cocaine,
metals, radiation
What drugs have been associated with myocarditis (4)
penicillins, cephalosporins, digoxin antiepileptic
Presentation of myocarditis (5)
Flu-like prodrome
Positional chest pain (worse when lying down)
SOB
Palpitations
Why does CK rise in myocarditis and not pericarditis
Because myocarditis is inflammation of cardiac muscle
Ix myocarditis (3)
ECG: non-specific ST changes, T-wave abnormalities Cardiac biomarkers (CK & troponins) Endomyocardial biopsy (diagnostic but not routinely performed)
Which valvular pathologies lead to pan systolic murmur (2)
Tricuspid and mitral regurgitation
Which diseases is Kussmaul’s sign usually seen in
Seen in constrictive pericarditis & restrictive cardiomyopathy