Cardiac Exam 1 Flashcards
What is the standard definition of Heart Failure?
A condition in which the heart is unable to meet the metabolic needs of the body
What are some causes of Heart Failure?
MI, Cardiomyopathy, Valve dysfunction, inflammatory conditions, Pulm HTN. etc
How does the American Hear association stage Heart failure? How many stages of heart failure are there?
Based off of Structure.
4 stages A-D
What is stage A Heart failure? How is it managed?
Pt Has no s/s but is at high risk of HF d/t other medical issues that may cause HF. (DM, HTN, Obesity, Smoker, Inactive, Drug user)
Managed by monitoring the PTs condition, enacting interventions that focus on the prevention of the PT developing HF
What is stage B HF and how is it managed?
- The PT still has no s/s however they do have structural heart disease. (Hx of MI, Valvular diseases, hypotrophy, Chamber dilation, Myopathy)
- Managed using preventative interventions at increased intensity and focus. (Meds such as ACE inhibitors)
What is stage C HF and how is it managed?
- PT does have s/s and has a structural heart disease
- Managed using the same measures as stage B with the addition of meds and interventions to treat the s/s. (Diuretics, Ace inhibitors, Beta-blockers, Diuretics, ARBs,) as well as Surgery and Pacing
What is stage D HF and how is it managed?
- PT has s/s often with little to no exertion along with an advanced structural disease
- Managed using maximum medicinal support (Vasodilators, Cardiac meds) and advanced interventions (LVAD, Cardioversion)
How does the New York Hear association Classify HF and how many Classes do they have?
- They classify based on activity levels
- 4 classes
What is class 1 HF (New York)
- No s.s
- No limitations to activity
What is class 2 HF (New York)
- Mild s/s
- Mild ADL limitations
What is class 3 HF (New York)
- Significant s/s
- marked limitations
- Comfortable only at rest
What is class 4 HF (New York)
- Severe s/s
- Very limited to no activity
What are the four main classifications of HF
- High output
- Low output
- Systolic
- Diastolic
What is high output HF?
when the metabolic needs of the body exceed the ability of the left ventricle to supply enough blood to provide O2 and nutrition.
What is low output HF?
When there is a pump failure within the heart
What is systolic HF? What are some causes?
When a ventricle (mainly the left) fails to pump efficiently.
-Caused by weakening, stiffening, or overstretching of the ventricle
What is Diastolic HF?
When the cause of failure comes from poor filling of the ventricle. Either from valvular dysfunction or a stiff ventricle.
What is preload?
The amount of stretch during diastole. It is determined by the LVEDV. The more passive blood filling into the ventricle the more the stretch and the stronger the contraction will be.
What is afterload?
The amount of pressure (aortic) the LV must overcome to open the aortic valve and pump blood out into the body
How does decreased kidney function affect preload and after load?
If the kidneys are unable to eliminate water from the body, blood volume, and blood pressure will increase causing an increased passive filling and therefore an increased preload.
-Afterload may or may not be increased depending on the extent of the increased BP and volume as well as the extent and type of HF
What is the main point in treating HF?
Controlling the preload and afterload
What is the ejection fraction?
The amount of blood forced from the LV during systole
What is a normal ejection fraction for a healthy adult?
55%-75%
At what % ejection fraction is the pt considered (generally) to have HF?
39% or less
What is a compensatory mechanism? (HF)
The body’s way of making up for the effects of HF
How can HR change as a compensatory mechanism for HF? what system is responsible for the change?
- It can increase to compensate for reduced SV and/or reduced blood volume
- Changed via sympathetic NS
How can SV change as a compensatory mechanism for HF? what system is responsible for the change?
- SV may be increased by sympathetic stimulation.
- This is achieved by the increased venous return and thus an increased ventricular stretch and increased preload/contraction strength
How can arterial vasoconstriction be used as a compensatory mechanism for HF? what system is responsible for the change?
- Sympathetic NS causes arterial vasoconstriction and this increases BP and that increases SV
- Via Rennin Angiotensin Aldosterone system
How can sodium/water retention be used as a compensatory mechanism for HF? what system is responsible for the change?
- Rennin/angio/aldos system causes retention of water and sodium.
- This increases BV and thus Preload/CO
What are the two main amino acid peptides that the body produces during HF?
hANP and hBNP
Are hANP and hBNP compensatory mechanisms?
They work in opposition to them
What triggers the release of hANP and what is its function?
- Atrical stretch
- Promotes Na and H2O excretion
- Decreased Vasopressin
What triggers the release of hBNP? What is its function?
- Ventricular stretching triggers its release.
- Decreased the levels of aldosterone
- Helps to balance vasoconstriction
- Used as a measure of severity of HF
What is “balanced” HF?
When compensatory mech. effectively control the HF (aka compensated HF)
What is unbalanced HF?
- AKA uncompensated HF
- When the compensatory mechanisms fail to control the HF
What occurs when a PT enters uncompensated HF?
Structural changes begin to occur.
-Remodeling=Change in size, shape, and function of the heart
JVD at the sitting angle of _____ is a physical indicator of HF
45 degrees
A majority of the symptoms of Left-sided HF are _____
Respiratory
What are some respiratory assessment findings that are common with Left Ventricular Heart Failure?
-Lung crackles, cough, dyspnea, orthopnea, Pulm Edema, Proximal Nocturnal dyspnea
What is Proximal Nocturnal Dyspnea?
Edema backs up into the lungs when a pt lays down causing dyspnea when lying down.
How is the severity/Progression of orthopnea unofficially/subjectively measured?
Number of pillows you need to sleep
What are some CV assessment findings common to Left Ventricular Heart Failure?
S3, Fatigue, decreased activity tolerance, palpitations, decreased urinary output (oliguria)
What are some assessment findings common in Right Ventricular Heart Failure?
- Dependent Edema
- JVD
- Abdominal Discomfort
- Nocturia
What are some expected findings in a CRX of a heart failure pt?
Structural enlargement, Fluid in the lungs (pulmonary congestion), possibly valvular dysfunction
What is the purpose of a echo-cardiogram?
To measure CO, SV, Preload, Pressure & velocity.
-To visualize the chambers and valves and measure/observe hemodynamics
Hemodynamics can also be measured using what? (non imaging)
CVP
What is a lab use to monitor HF?
hBNP
What hBNP value indicates HF?
Greater than 100