CHF Management: Pharmacology and Treatment Flashcards

1
Q

Relation HF and NYHA

A

-mortality in HF increases with worsening NYHA classification

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

1 rule for treatment for CHF

A
  • Correct the correctable

- i.e. correct the underlying causes of CHF and the precipitating/exacerbating factors

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Causes of CHF (7)

A
  • CAD/MI
  • hypertension
  • diabetes
  • valvular heart disease
  • cardiomyopthy/myocarditis
  • congenital heart disease
  • other diseases (sarcoidosis, amyloidosis, HIV, hemochromatosis, etc)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Precipitating/exacerbating factors - two categories

A

Two categories

  1. Patient related factors
  2. Physician related factors
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Patient related factor (precipitating/exacerbating HF) -9

A

1) Arrhythmias
2) Ischemia
3) Anemia
4) Viral illness
5) Fever
6) Thyroid disease
7) Salt and water intake excess
8) Noncompliance with medications
9) Alcohol

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Physician related factors (precipitating/exacerbating)

A
  1. Prescription of negatively inotropic agents
  2. Prescription of NSAIDs
  3. Under-dosing of CHF medications
  4. Poor patient communication
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Treatment goals CHF (4)

A
  1. Control symptoms
  2. Reduce hospitalization
  3. Prolong life
  4. Prevent disease regression
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Acute heart failure -definition

A

Rapid onset of symptoms and signs secondary to abnormalities in cardiac function that may be life threatening and require urgent treatment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Acute heart failure clinical signs (3)

A

1) Respiratory distress
2) Hypertensive/hypotensive
3) Use of accessory muscles

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Respiratory distress in acute heart failure signs (4)

A
  • hypoxemia
  • orthopnea
  • tachypnea
  • tachycardia
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What does hypotensive in acute HF suggest -what condition

A

-cardiogenic shock (heart not able to pump blood that body needs)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Management general steps of acute CHF (1 + 5)

A
  1. Initial stabilization -ABCs
  2. Correct hemodynamic/intravascular volume abnormalities rapidly (with pharmacologic therapies):
    a) decrease preload
    b) decrease pulmonary edema
    c) decrease ventricular wall stress
    d) increase CO
    e) support BP as necessary
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Initial stabilization-specifics (4)

A
  1. Airway (+ oxygenation)
    - supplemental O2 and assisted ventilation as needed (either non invasive ventilation such as CPAP or BIPAP or invasive= intubation)
  2. Vitals, cardiac monitoring
  3. IV access
  4. Seated posture
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Acute CHF pharmacological therapy - broad categories (4)

A
  1. Diuretics (loop diuretics)
  2. Vasodilators
  3. Morphine
  4. Inotropes
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Diuretics used in acute HF

A

-IV lasix (is first line treatment for acute HF)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Peak diuresis in acute HF

A

-about 30 minutes after dose

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

How diuretic improve acute HF (2)

A
  • reduction in intravascular volume –> lowered central venous and capillary wedge pressures
  • venodilation effect reduces congestion prior to onset of diuresis
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Vasodilators used in acute HF (3)

A
  • nitroglycerine
  • nitroprusside
  • nesirtide
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Use of vasodilators- in who

A

-in patients with normal to high BP in addition to diuretic therapy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Effect of vasodilators (2)

A

-rapidly reduces LV filling pressures via venodilation (decreases pre-load)
-also decrease in systemic vascular resistance–> decrease ventricular workload (afterload)
which leads to improved CO

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Potentially first presentation of exacerbation of chronic CHF

A

-acute decompensated heart failure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Benefits of inotropes in cardioenic shock (low bp) -2 + indications for use

A

Help maintain systemic perfusion and preserve end organ function
-use in cases of low BP or cardiogenic shock

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Overall function of inotropes

A

increase contractility

24
Q

Ex of inotropes (2)

A
  • dobutamine

- milrinone

25
Q

Overall function of vasopressors

A

Increase BP

26
Q

Ex of vasopressors

A
  • dopamine

- norepinephrine

27
Q

Benefits to morphine for patient with acute CHF (2)

A
  • reduces anxiety –> decreases work of breathing
  • decreases central sympathetic outflow leading to arteriolar and venous dilation and decreased cardiac filling pressures
28
Q

What is morphine associated with -disadvantages of administering in cases acute CHF (2)

A
  • increased frequency of mechanical ventilation

- in-hospital mortality

29
Q

When Mechanical intervention for Acute CHF indicated –> when (2)

A

-cardiogenic pulmonary edema or cardiogenic shock despite adequate pharmacologic therapy

30
Q

Mechanical interventions (2)

A

Intra-aortic balloon pump

Left ventricular assist device

31
Q

Why is prompt diagnosis of chronic CHF important (5)

A

1) Slow disease progression
2) Improve LV function
3) Improve quality of life
4) Reduce mortality and hospitalization
5) Generally well tolerated

32
Q

General principles pharmacological therapy of acute CHF (3)

A

1) All patients with CHF and LVEF <40% should be treated with ACE inhibitor and B-blocker
2) Use drugs proven in large -scale clinical trials
3) Titrate to target doses used in clinical trials

33
Q

Examples of ACE inhibitors (5 + ending)

A

“prils”

1) Captopril (capoten)
2) Ensispril (vasotec)
3) Fosinopril (monopril)
4) Lisinopril (prinivil, zesril)
5) Ramipril (altace)

34
Q

Effect of ACE inhibition

A

1) No production of Ang II
- no production of aldosterone
- no production of O free radicals
- no endothelin production
- no TXA2, PGH2 production
- no hypertrophy
* * all these are separate consequences of AngII
2) Does NOT effect bradykinin pathway
- same levels NO, prostacyclin production

35
Q

Which ace is best

A
  • no evidence to suggest a best ACE

- evaluated in CHF trials = captopril, enalapril, ramipril, lisonopril

36
Q

Practical tips ace administration

A

Start with ACE then add B-blocker

37
Q

BP aim for with ACE

A

Ideal BP often < 100mmHg if not symptomatic

38
Q

Changes in electrolytes with ACE

A

accept minor increases in Cr and K

39
Q

What is tolerability of ACE inhibitors improved by (3)

A
  • appropriate volume status
  • start low, go slow approach to titration
  • consider BID dosing
40
Q

Contraindications ACE

A
  • renal impairment
  • hyperkalemia (up to 30% increase in Cr not unexpected, may require close monitoring –> if Cr >30% rise or Cr >250 need to DC)
41
Q

Practical tips use of B-blockers in NYHA I-II patients (3)

A
  • usually well tolerated
  • start low, go slow
  • titrate to target dose
42
Q

Practical tips use B-blockers in NYHA III-IV patients

A
  • initiated by CHF specialists if possible

- CHF clinic if available

43
Q

Contraindicators B blockers

A

1) Symptomatic hypotension
2) Bradycardia
3) Significant AV block
4) Severe asthma (stable COPD usually okay)

44
Q

Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB’s) - examples (4)

A

“sartans”

  • losartan (cozaar)
  • chandesartan (atacand)
  • irbesartan (avapro)
  • valsartan (diovan)
45
Q

Where in the RAAs system do ARBs act

A

AT1 receptor (receptor that ANG II works on)

46
Q

Physiological effects of AngII 2 at

a) AT1 receptor (5)
b) AT2 receptor (4)

A

AT1 :

  • vasoconstriction
  • sympathetic tone
  • Na+ reabsorption
  • Aldosterone
  • smooth muscle proliferation

AT2:
the opposite of everything AT1 does

47
Q

Current evidence ARBs vs. ace inhibitors

A

neither superior nor equivalent

48
Q

When do use ARBs (3)

A
  • as an alternative if ACE is not tolerated
  • or use with ACE when B-blockers contraindicated/not well tolerated
  • advanced symptoms on maximal therapy - use of triple therapy - B-blockers, ACE, ARBs
49
Q

Example of aldosterone antagonists (2)

A
  • spironolactone

- eplerenone

50
Q

Indication for aldosterone antagonist use

A

1) NYHA II-IV
2) LVEF < 30%
3) Recent hospitalization for CAD/MI

51
Q

What to watch for with aldosterone antagonist use

A

Watch CR/K elevation

52
Q

Principles of using diuretics in CHF (3)

A
  • important with acute congestion
  • once congestion cleared use lowest dose possible
  • combination therapy may be needed for persistent congestion
53
Q

Indications for use of digoxin

A
  • mod -severe symptoms despite max medical therapy

- adjunctive for rate control (ie. if have A-fib and CHF)

54
Q

Categories of vasodilators used

A

1) Nitrates (standard)

2) Nitrates + hydralazine

55
Q

Use of vasodilators -nitrates

A
  • in both acute and chronic CHF

- may improve nocturnal symptoms, exercise tolerance and angina

56
Q

Use of vasodilators -nitrates + hydralazine

A
  • african-americans with systolic CHF in addition to standard therapy
  • other CHF patients unable to tolerate standard therapy
57
Q

Antiplatelet and anticoagulation therapy for chronic CHF

a) treatments
b) indications

A

1) ASA for patients with CAD
2) Anticoagulation
- a-fib