Congestion

Question 1

Definition

Answer 1

The build up of excess blood in the tissues and the organs

Question 2

Darcy’s Law

Answer 2

Q= P/R
Q= blood flow
P=pressure
R= resistance

Question 3

Different types of congestion

Answer 3

• acute/chronic

- local/generalised

Question 4

DVT

Answer 4

• local acute congestion
• Due to the pooling of blood in the lower limb venous system
• leads to a decrease in pressure gradient
• leads to a decrease in blood flow according to Darcy’s Law
• leads to reduced 02 delivery to tissues- causes ischaemia and infarction

Question 5

liver cirrhosis

Answer 5

• local chronic congestion
• due to the development of nodules of hepatocytes which lead to fibrosis
• build up of fluid in the portal system
• in some cases this can lead to portal-systemic shunts when the portal and systemic blood systems anastomose
• decrease in blood return to the heart- decrease pressure gradient system

Question 6

Cardiac failure

Answer 6

• generalised acute congestion
• due to the heart pumping poorly e.g. valve problems
• can lead to build up of blood in systemic/pulmonary circulation
• systemic circulation: hepatic venous congestion
• pulmonary circulation: pulmonary oedema

Question 7

hepatic central venous congestion

Answer 7

-Right heart failure
-Nutmeg liver:
Red spots: peripheral hepatocytes, poorly oxygenated
Pale spots: periportal hepatocytes, better oxygenated due to proximity to the hepatic arterioles
-peripheral oedema
-increased JVP
-hepatomegaly

Question 8

pulmonary oedema

Answer 8

• left heart failure
• blood backs up into pulmonary circulation
• pulmonary oedema
• tachycardia
• lung crackles