Cardiovascular Pathology III Flashcards
what is the most common cause of right sided heart failure?
Left sided
what is the most common cause of acute right heart failure?
A massive Pulmonary embolism
why can a massive pulmonary embolism cause acute right sided heart failure?
It can cause a sudden blockage of a major pulmonary artery –> pressure in the pulmonary arterial system rises –> pulmonary hypertension with no time to compensate
what is pulmonary hypertension?
an increase in blood pressure in the pulmonary vasculaure above 25mmHg
what are two causes of acute right sided heart failure?
A massive pulmonary embolism
An MI involving the right ventricle but sparing left
what are the clinical features of chronic right sided heart failure?
Raised JVP
hepatomegaly
Ascites
Peripheral Oedema
what are some causes of chronic right sided heart failure?
COPD
Pulmonary fibrosis
recurrent small pulmonary emboli
what is cor pulmonale?
Right heart failure due to lung disease
what is the MOST common cause of cor pulmonale?
COPD
what artery does a non massive pulmonary embolism occlude?
segmental
what is the result of a non massive PE blocking a segmental artery?
The lung segment will be ventilated but not defused leading to a mismatch
what arteries do massive PE block?
A proximal pulmonary artery or the bifurcation
what is a saddle embolus?
A PE that blocks the pulmonary artery bifurcation
what are causes of acute left heart failure?
MI
What are causes of chronic left sided heart failure?
chronic ischaemic heart disease
systemic hypertension
aortic/mitral disease
