Cardiac Failure 2: clinical management Flashcards
What should all patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction receive
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE inhibitor)
- Beta blocker
What should all patients with oedema receive
A diuretic
What do ACE inhibitors do
- reduce salt/water retention and so reduce circulating volume
- Reduce vasoconstriction and manage congestive heart failure by blocking production of angiotensin 2
- Reduce circulating volume by reducing salt/water retention
How should ACE inhibitors be prescribed
In low doses then titrated up
Given at night
What should you monitor when prescribing ACE inhibitors and why
Monitor creatinine/eGFR and potassium ion concentrations before and during treatment because ACE inhibitors can worsen renal function
How do you determine dose of ACE inhibitors
Measure renal function
What are the side effects of ACE inhibitors and how to overcome this
May cause severs hypotension and so you should withdraw the diuretic therapy for a few days before and also tell patient to have the ACE inhibitor at night
-If patient develops a cough, tell them to come back to change the drug
What is renal artery stenosis
Atherosclerotic plaque is in renal artery
What does the kidney do in response to renal artery stenosis
Releases lots of renin to boost blood pressure to improve the blood flow to the kidney
What do AT1 receptor antagonists do and why is this better than an ACE inhibitor
Block the action of angiotensin 2
-Far less likely to give rise to a cough
What does an AT1 receptor antagonist prevent
Vasoconstriction and formation of aldosterone (which increases retention of sodium and water and increases the excretion of K+)
What does angiotensin 2 act as
AT1 receptor
An example of a beta blocker
Bisoprolol
What do beta blockers do
Reduce sympathetic stimulation, heart rate and o2 consumption
How do beta blockers help in atrial fibrillation
Will control rate
