Heart Failure

Question 1

What are the causes of heart failure?

Answer 1

Cardiovascular disease - IHD, hypertension, valvular disease, myocarditis, congenital disease, pericardial disease, cardiomyopathy
Toxin induced - heroin, alcohol, cocaine, amphetamines, lead, arsenic
Infiltrative disease - amyloidosis, sarcoid, haemochromatosis
Infection - HIV, Lyme disease, chugs disease
Endocrine - diabetes, thyroid disease, phaeochromocytoma, acromegaly, growth hormone deficiency, hypoparathyroidism
Systemic disease - SLE, RA, systemic sclerosis, reactive arthritis, vasculitis
Chemotherapy induced
Nutritional deficiency - thiamine, selenium

Question 2

What are the signs of acute decompensation of heart failure?

Answer 2

Worsening of symptoms
Elevation in JVP
Poor perfusion (narrow perfusion pressure, altered mental status, oliguria, dizziness, central cyanosis, decreased CRT)

Question 3

What surgical options are available for heart failure?

Answer 3

Pacemaker
Left ventricular assist device
Heart transplant

Question 4

What are the potential complications of heart failure?

Answer 4

CKD
Anaemia
Pleural effusion
AKI
Sudden cardiac death