Cardiac disorders: Ventricular Failure and Myocardial Infarction

Question 1

Primary causes of ventricular (systolic) failure include -? Secondary causes include -?

Answer 1

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC)

Valvular disease, tachycardia induced cardiomyopathy, sepsis, or malnutrition

Question 2

In cats, ventricular failure is most commonly seen with ________ cardiomyopathy.

Answer 2

Restrictive

Question 3

True or False: Myocardial infarction is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease in small animal patients.

Answer 3

False, it is a relatively rare finding, and when seen are commonly secondary to systemic diseases that cause a hypercoagulable or hypofibrinolytic state

Question 4

What is the body’s response to cardiac dysfunction?

Answer 4

Fluid retention to increase preload and sympathetic stimulation to increase heart rate and cardiac output

Question 5

Hypotension can be secondary to -?

Answer 5

Hypovolemia or systolic dysfunction

Question 6

The most commonly used positive inotropes include -?

Answer 6

Dobutamine, dopamine, or pimobendan