Condition- Heart Failure Flashcards
What two systems are chronically activated in Chronic HF to help maintain arterial pressure and cardiac output?
RAAS and the SNS
Define acute HF
Rapid onset new HF/ decompensation of chronic heart failure leading to pulmonary and peripheral oedema +/- peripheral hypoperfusion
List some causes of Low CO Chronic LHF
- Valvular Pathology
- Aortic Stenosis
- Aortic Regurg
- Mitral Regurg
- Heart Muscle pathology
- IHD
- Cardiomyopathy
- Myocarditis
- Arrythmias (AF)
- Systemic Pathology
- HT
- Amyloidosis
- Drugs (alcohol, cocaine, BBs)
List some causes of Low CO Chronic RHF
- LHF (CCF)
- LUNGS
- Pulmonary HTN => cor pulmonale
- PE
- Chronic Lung disease (Pulmonary fibrosis, interstial lung disease)
- VALVULAR PATHOLOGY
- Tricuspid Regurg
- Pulmonary Valve disease
List some causes of High output Chronic HF
NAP MEALS
- Nutritional Deficiencies (B1)
- Anaemia
- Pregnancy
- Malignancy (multiple myeloma)
- Endocrine (hyperthyroidism)
- AV malformation
- Liver Cirrhosis
- Sepsis
List some symptoms of LHF
Symptoms due to pulmonary congesition
- SOBEO, orthopnoea, PND
- Fatigue
- Nocturnal pink frothy sputum
- Wheeze (cardiac wheeze)
List some symptoms of RHF
Symtoms due to peripheral fluid accumulation
- Swelling of face, ankle, ascites
- Fatigue, anorexia, nausea
- decreased exercise tolerance
- Nocturia (BNP release esp when lying down)
List some signs of LHF on examination
- High HR, RR
- AF or Pulsus alternans
- Displaced apex beat (dilational CM)
- S3 gallop, S4 if severe HF
- Murmurs (AS, AR, MR)
- Lungs:
- Fine-end inspiratory crackles (pulmonary oedema)
- Wheeze (cardiac wheeze)
What sign might you feel on taking the pulse of someone with LHF?
Pulsus Alternans
List some signs of RHF on examination
- Face: swelling
- Neck: elevated JVP
- Heart/ Chest: TR murmur, high HR, high RR
- Abdomen: Ascites, hepatomegaly
- Othre: pitting oedema (sacral. pedal)
List some investigations you would do on somone with HF
- Bedside: ECG
- Bloods: FBC, U+Es, LFT, TFT, BNP
- Imaging: CXR, TTE
What is BNP?
Brain Natriueretic Peptide
- Release when cardiac muscle is stretched
- Causes renal natriuresis => increased H2O loss
- Decreased volume of blood and stretching of the cardiac muscle
How is BNP used in the management of someone with HF?
BNP = sensitive but not specific (elevated in COPD, IPD etc)
- High BNP => go on to do TTE
- Low BNP => if ECG is normal as well HF is unlikely
What might you see on a CXR of someone with HF?
ABCDE
- Alveolar Oedema (Bat wing opacities)
- Kerley B line (interstitial oedema)
- Cardiomegaly (>50%)
- Dilated Upper Lobe Vessels (Pulmonary HTN)
- Pleural Effusion (pleural, transudative)
Which investigation is diagnostic of HF?
TTE (transthoracic echocardiogram coupled with Doppler US)