Heart failure Flashcards
Definition
Heart failure occurs when.
- the heart is unable to maintain sufficient cardiac output
- to meet the demands of the body.
In NZ 12,000 admissions/y (7,000 patients)
Costs 2% health budget
30% die within first year after admission to hospital
Causes
Condition predominantly of the elderly
NP Radiotherapy causes arrythmia
https://academic.oup.com/view-large/305162883
Cause & Examples of presentations
- Specific investigations
1. CAD
MI, Angina or “angina-equivalent” Arrhythmias
- Invasive coronary angiography
- CT coronary angiography
- Imaging stress tests (echo, nuclear, CMR)
2. Hypertension
HF with preserved systolic function
Malignant hypertension/acute pulmonary oedema
- 24 h ambulatory BP
- Plasma metanephrines, renal artery imaging
- Renin and aldosterone
3. Valve disease
Primary valve disease e.g., aortic stenosis
Secondary valve disease, e.g. functional regurgitation
Congenital valve disease
- Echo – transoesophageal/stress
4. Arrhythmias
Atrial tachyarrhythmias
Ventricular arrhythmias
Ambulatory ECG recording
- Electrophysiology study, if indicated
5. CMPs = cardiomyopathy
All Dilated Hypertrophic
Restrictive ARVC
Peripartum Takotsubo syndrome
Toxins: alcohol, cocaine, iron, copper
- CMR = cardiac magnetic resonance
- Genetic testing
- Right and left heart catheterization
- CMR, angiography
- Trace elements, toxicology, LFTs, GGT
Factors independently associated with a worsening prognosis
- Age > 70 years
- EF ≤ 30%
- Higher NYHA functional class
- Anaemia
- Renal impairment
- Hypotension
- Hyponatraemia
- High levels of BNP
- Co-morbidities including IHD, arrhythmias, diabetes, COPD, stroke
- Recurrent hospitalisation
The History
- Exposure to cardiotoxic agents
- Current and past alcohol consumption
- Smoking
- Collagen vascular disease
- HIV
- Thyroid disorder
- Phaeochromocytoma
- Obesity
Family History
- Atherosclerotic disease
- Sudden cardiac death
- Myopathy – Cardiomyopathy – Skeletal myopathy
- Conduction system disease
- Tachyarrhythmias
symptoms and sign typical of heart failure
Symptoms
- Orthopnea and PAD are more consistent symptoms of HF, due to fluid accumulation and/or poor cardiac output
- dyspnoea → exertional dyspnoea → dyspnoea at rest → orthopnoea → paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea
- lethargy/fatigue/weakness
- weight change: gain or loss
- dizzy spells/syncope
- palpitations
- ankle oedema
Signs
- – Elevated JVP
- – Deviated apex beat, S3
- – Basal inspiratory crackles
Differential diagnosis
- Respiratory
- Liver
- Thyroid disease
- Anaemia
- Obesity
- Physical deconditioning
- Angina
- Acute coronary syndrome
Heart Failure Assessment
Initial
- – Underlying cause?
- – Behaviours associated with worsening HF? (smoking, alcohol, illicit drugs)
- – Examination
- – wt, volume status
- – Na, K, urea, creatinine, urate, TFTs, lipids, glucose, Hb, MSU
- – ECG, CXR, echo
Tthe diagnosis algorithm of heart failure
Diagnosis is difficult Only 1/4 - 1/3 confirmed by cardiologist
Investigations
Apart from routine investigations,
Left ventricular function should be measured by:
- echocardiography (the most important test)
- or nuclear gated blood pool scanning
- to determine the ejection fraction,
- which is usually very low in heart failure.
B-type natriuretic peptide is a marker of the severity of CHF.
ifferentiate between systolic (commonest) and diastolic failure.
BNP
BNP is a good screening useful tool for diagnosis and
Ocasionally used to monitor Rx or when it is worsen
In NZ levels <35 is nromal
Use:
- SOB or oedema with uncertain diagnosis
- Ankle oedema of uncertain cause
Levels rise with:
- ↑LV filling pressure
- acute MI/ischaemia
- PE,
- CORD
- CRF
- ↑age: so it could be normal for age
- women
Level lower with obesity
NT proBNP
Acute HF unlikely
- NT-proBNP < 35.4pmol/L
Age stratified cutpoints (pmol/L)
Patient age HF unlikely HF likely
<50 35.4 – 53.1 >53.1
50-75 35.4 – 106.2 >106.2
>75 35.4 - 212.4 >212
Stages in the Development of Heart Failure
Stage A Groups at risk of HF with normal LV fn CAD, ↑BP, DM
Stage B asymptomatic LVH +/- LV impairment
Stage C Current or past symptoms + structural heart disease
Stage D Refractory HF
Treatment
Includes:
- appropriate pt education
- determination and Rx of the caus
- removal of any precipitating factors
- general non-pharmaceutical measures
- drug Rx.
Studies have shown the benefit of a multidisciplinary approach.
Keep ferritin >100:
- becasue it make HF worse
- Also iron absortion gets less in HF
- It is a good indication for FERINJECT
If EF impaired with treatment DO NOT reduce mdications dose due to high risk of relapse and death from HF
General non—pharmacological management
Refer for a rehabilitation program with interdisciplinary care
Physical activity:
- rest if symptoms severe;
- moderate activity when symptoms are absent or mild
Weight reduction, if pt obese
Salt restriction:
- advise no-added-salt diet (<2 g or 60–100 mmol/d)
Encourage no smoking and limited alcohol (1 SD/d)
Water restriction:
- water intake should be limited to ≤1.5 L/d in pts with advanced HF,
- esp. when the serum sodium falls below 130 mmol/L
Fluid aspiration if a pleural effusion or pericardial effusion is present
Heart Failure Ongoing Review
- Ability to perform daily activities
- Weight, volume status
- Diet, sodium intake, alcohol, drugs
- Monitor Na, K, creat/ eGFR, Hb
Prevention
Common
Approx 80% hospitalised > 65 years
Condition predominantly of the elderly
The emphasis on prevention is very important
- since the onset of HF is generally associated with a very poor prognosis.
Approx. 50% of pts with severe HF die within 2–3 yrs of diagnosis.
Drug therapy of systolic heart failure
Any identified underlying factor should be treated.
Initial drug therapy should consist of an ACE inhibitor and usually a diuretic.
- ACEI is the key drug; this optimises response and improves diuretic safety
Loop diuretics such as frusemide are
- preferred for acute episodes
- although other diuretics may be used for long-term maintenance therapy.
AF should be treated with digoxin.
Vasodilators are widely used and ACE inhibitors are currently the most favoured vasodilator.
Monitor and maintain potassium level in all pts.
ACE inhibitors, β-blockers and spironolactone have been shown to improve survival in CHF and in combination are the gold standard.
ACE inhibitors
Start low,
- go slow
- aim high
Dosage of ACE inhibitor:
- start with ¼ to ½ lowest recommended therapeutic dose
- and then adjust for the individual pt by gradually increasing it to the maintenance or max. dose.
Once-daily agents are preferred.
Use ARB (sartan) if cough with ACEI.
The first dose should be given at bedtime to prevent orthostatic hypotension ( due to diuresis )
Potassium-sparing diuretics or supplements should not be given with ACE inhibitors because of the danger of hyperkalaemia
Kidney function and potassium levels should be monitored in all patients
Angiooedema could take 2-3 days to settle
Titrate HF medications over two weeks
Some ACE inhibitors in common usage
Drug Initial daily dose Maintenance daily dose
Captopril 6.25 mg (o) nocte 25 mg (o) tds
Enalapril 2.5 mg (o) nocte 10 mg (o) bd
Fosinopril 5 mg (o) nocte 20 mg (o) nocte
Lisinopril 2.5 mg (o) nocte 5–20 mg (o) nocte
Perindopril 2 mg (o) nocte 4 mg (o) nocte
Quinapril 2.5 mg (o) nocte 20 mg (o) nocte
Ramipril 1.25 mg (o) nocte 5 mg (o) nocte
Trandolapril 0.5 mg (o) nocte 2–4 mg (o)/d