Cardiac Failure

Question 1

Name two types of drug that cause fluid retention and are thus contraindicated in heart failure.

Answer 1

NSAIDs and glucocorticoids (groups of corticosteroids)

Question 2

How does hypertension affect the heart?

Answer 2

. Increases afterload, so heart becomes hypertrophic

. Hypertrophy increases work of heart and decreases ejection fraction

Question 3

What is dyspnoea a symptom of?

Answer 3

Left sided heart failure because there’s backing up of fluid into the lungs, which compresses the lungs when supine

Question 4

What often brings on left sided heart failure?

Answer 4

Hypertension

Question 5

What often brings on right sided heart failure?

Answer 5

Lung disease, pulmonary vascular stenosis, or LVF

Question 6

What often causes biventricular heart failure?

Answer 6

Ischaemic heart disease

Question 7

How can left ventricular failure lead to right ventricular failure?

Answer 7

LVF causes pulmonary congestion, which can then cause RVF because afterload for RV to pump against increases

Question 8

What is the threshold ejection fraction for heart failure?

Answer 8

Ejection fraction below 45% is considered characteristic of heart failure

Question 9

How can LVF lead to AF?

Answer 9

Failure in LV leads to increase in pressure in left atrium. Left atrium becomes distended and AF can occur.