CHF - Pathoma

Question 1

What are five causes of left-sided heart failure?

Answer 1

• ischemia
• hypertension
• dilated cardiomyopathy (4 chamber dilation)
• myocardial infarction
• restrictive cardiomyopathy (can’t fill)

Question 2

What are the clinical consequences of left-sided heart failure?

Answer 2

PULMONARY CONGESTION!

• pulmonary edema
• dyspnea
• parocturnal nocturnal dyspnea
• orthopnea
• crackles

Question 3

What do you call the cells that result from ruptured capillaries in the lungs that leak into the alveolar sacs and macrophages consume excess blood that is high in iron?

Answer 3

Hemosideran laden macrophages

“heart failure cells”

Question 4

Why are ACE Inhibitors one of the mainstay treatments of CHF?

Answer 4

• Block conversion of Angiotenin I => Angiotensin II

- Prevent RAAS pathway after JGA sense decreased forward perfusion

Question 5

What is the most common cause of right-sided heart failure?

Answer 5

Left-sided heart failure

Question 6

Why does chronic pulmonary disease cause right-sided heart failure?

Answer 6

Hypoxia causes vasoconstriction of pulmonary blood vessels. Right heart has to overcome resistance of vasoconstricted blood vessels.

Question 7

What are the clinical symptoms of right-sided heart failure?

Answer 7

• JVD
• Painful hepatosplenomegaly (cardiac cirrhosis)
• Dependent pitting edema