Congestive heart failure

Question 1

Definition

Answer 1

Inability of the heart to pump out sufficient blood to meet the metabolic needs of the body.

Question 2

Aetiology/ causes

Answer 2

It results from any disorder that impairs ventricular filling or ejection of blood to the systemic circulation.

Historically, an overwhelming majority of the cases were due to coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction.

Over time, coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus have become the predominant predisposing factors for heart failure.

Other structural causes of congestive heart failure (CHF) include hypertension, valvular heart disease, uncontrolled arrhythmia, myocarditis, and congenital heart disease.

Question 3

Risk factors

Answer 3

Hypertension
Obesity
Excessive alcohol consumption
NSAIDs, antiarrhythmic drugs

Question 4

Epidemiology/ Population affected

Answer 4

More common in those over 65y/o

Question 5

Clinical presentation

Answer 5

Fatigue
Dyspnea
Reduced exercise tolerance

Fluid retention (pulmonary and peripheral oedema).

Question 6

Prognosis

Answer 6

Heart failure is a serious long-term condition that will usually continue to get slowly worse over time.It can severely limit the activities you’re able to do and is often eventually fatal. But it’s very difficult to tell how the condition will progress on an individual basis. It’s very unpredictable. Lots of people remain stable for many years, while in some cases it may get worse quickly.

Question 7

DDX

Answer 7

Acute renal failure
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
Cirrhosis
Pulmonary fibrosis
Nephrotic syndrome
Pulmonary embolism (PE)