Cardiac Exam - Abdomen/ Chest

Question 1

Ascites/Oedema

Answer 1

Ascites: Accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity, leading to abdominal swelling.
* Oedema: Peripheral swelling, particularly in the legs or sacrum.
* Causes: Right-sided heart failure, constrictive pericarditis, or severe hypoalbuminemia due to chronic heart conditions

Question 2

Pulsatile Chest

Answer 2

Visible or palpable pulsations on the chest wall.
* Causes: Aneurysms, aortic regurgitation (visible bounding pulses), or high-output cardiac states.

Question 3

Pulsatile Abdomen

Answer 3

Palpable pulsations in the epigastric region, often from the abdominal aorta.
* Causes: Aortic aneurysm or widened pulse pressure in conditions like aortic regurgitation.

Question 4

Shortness of Breath

Answer 4

Congestive heart failure, pericarditis