Cardiovascular Disease Flashcards
What are the typical symptoms of heart failure?
-Breathlessness
-Fluid retention
-Fatigue
-Lightheadedness/Syncope
What types of breathlessness can occur when a patient has heart failure?
-Exertional
-Non-exertional
-Orthopnoea
-Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea
-Nocturnal cough
Where might a patient with heart failure experience/report fluid retention?
-Ankles
-Abdomen
What risk factors in a patient’s medical history might there be for heart failure?
-Coronary artery disease/previous MI
-HTN
-AF
-DM
A patient presents with a history of progressively worsening shortness of breath especially when lying flat, and swelling of legs.
What observations would increase suspicion of heart failure?
-Tachycardia
-Tachypnoea
-Hypertension
A patient presents with a history of progressively worsening shortness of breath especially when lying flat, and swelling of legs.
What examination findings in the chest might indicate heart failure?
-Laterally displaced apex beat
-Heart murmur
-Basal crepitations
-Pleural effusion
A patient presents with a history of progressively worsening shortness of breath especially when lying flat, and swelling of legs.
What examination findings outside of the chest might indicate heart failure?
-Raised JVP
-Enlarged liver
-Dependant oedema or ascites
-Obesity
A patient presents with a history of progressively worsening shortness of breath especially when lying flat, and swelling of legs.
How should the likely condition be investigated?
Heart failure
-N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide
-12 lead ECG
-Other tests as appropriate for any other underlying pathology
How should NT-pro BNP level be interpretted?
Over 2000 - refer for specialist assessment and echo within 2 weeks
400-2000 - refer for specialist assessment and echo within 6 weeks
Less than 400 - diagnosis of heart failure is less likely
A patient presents with a history of progressively worsening shortness of breath especially when lying flat, and swelling of legs.
Other than NT-pro BNP and ECG, what tests may be appropriate to determine cause?
-Chest x-ray
-Bloods inc FBC, U&Es, TFTs, LFTs etc
-Urine dip
-Lung function tests
In which groups of people might NT-pro BNP be reduced?
-Those with BMI >35
-Those on diuretics/ACE-Is/ARBs/beta blockers
-Those of Afro-Caribbean origin
Other than heart failure, what can increase levels of NT-pro BNP?
-Age over 70
-LVH/MI/tachycardia
-RV overload
-Hypoxia
-Pulmonary HTN
-PE
-CKD
-Sepsis
-COPD
-DM
-Liver cirrhosis
A patient presents with a history of progressively worsening shortness of breath especially when lying flat, and swelling of legs.
What conditions could explain the breathlessness other than heart failure?
-COPD
-Asthma
-PE
-Lung Cancer
-Anxiety
A patient presents with a history of progressively worsening shortness of breath especially when lying flat, and swelling of legs.
What conditions could explain the peripheral oedema other than heart failure?
-Prolonged inactivity or venous insufficiency
-Nephrotic syndrome
-Medication
-Hypoalbuminaemia
-Pelvic tumour
What is heart failure caused by?
Structural and/or functional abnormality that produces raised intracardiac pressure &/or inadequate cardiac output at rest &/or at exercise
What defines they type of heart failure a patient has?
Ejection fraction
What level of LVEF (left ventricular ejection fraction) counts as reduced ejection fraction?
<40%
What level of LVEF (left ventricular ejection fraction) counts as mildly reduced ejection fraction?
41-49%
What level of LVEF (left ventricular ejection fraction) counts as preserved ejection fraction?
> 50%
What proportion of patients with heart failure have preserved ejection fraction?
Nearly half
What system is used to classify the severity of heart failure?
New York Heart Association classification
What are the categories in NYHA classification for heart failure?
Class I to Class IV
What is Class I NYHA classification?
No limitation of physical activity
What is Class II NYHA classification?
Slight limitation of physical activity but comfortable at rest
What is Class III NYHA classification?
Marked limitation of physical activity but comfortable at rest
What is Class IV NYHA classification?
Unable to carry out any physical activity without discomfort, symptoms can be present at rest
What myocardial diseases can lead to heart failure?
-Coronary artery disease
-HTN
-Cardiomyopathies
Can valvular heart disease cause heart failure?
Yes
What pericardial disease can cause heart failure?
-Constrictive pericarditis
-Pericardial effusion
Can congenital heart disease cause heart failure?
Yes
Can arrythmias cause heart failure?
Yes - AF and other tachyarrythmias can
What high output states can cause heart failure?
-Anaemia
-Thyrotoxicosis
-Phaemochromocytoma
-Sepsis
-Liver failure
-AV shunt
-Paget’s disease
-Thiamine deficiency
What causes of volume overload can cause heart failure?
-End-stage CKD
-Nephrotic syndrome