Heart failure Flashcards
define heart failure
Heart failure is not a single pathological diagnosis, but a clinical syndrome consisting of
* cardinal symptoms
* Dyspnoea, ankle oedema and fatigue
* and signs
* Elevated JVP, pulmonary crackles and peripheral oedema
what causes heart failure?
Due to structural +/- functional abnormality of the heart
what does heart failure result in?
Elevated intracardiac pressure
* And/or inadequate cardiac output
* At rest and/or during exercise
what conditions damage the heart muscle/ limit its ability to function normally?
CHD, HTN, Cardiomyopathies
* Drugs, Toxins
* Endocrine conditions & infiltrative conditions
what conditions reduce cardiac output?
- Increased vascular resistance with hypertension
- Abnormal heart rhythm
- Aortic stenosis (severe)
what conditions result in a high cardiac output?
- Anaemia
- Thyrotoxicosis
- Septicaemia
what happens in left Heart failure?
there is an increase in CO and pulmonary congestion
this results in pulmonary oedema, breathlessness and exercise intolerance
what happens in right sided HF?
congestion of peripheral
tissues)
* Distended JVP
* Hepatomegaly,
* Ascites
* Dependent ankle oedema
how is left ventricular ejection fraction classified?
– Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF)
* LVEF ≤40%
– Heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF)
* LVEF 41 – 49%
– Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF)
* LVEF ≥50% (associated with HF symptoms/structural or functional
abnormalities or raised natriuretic peptides
what is acute/decompensated heart failure?
New or deterioration in patient with chronic HF
what are the different classes of the new york heart classification?
1- no limitation of physical act. ordinary physical activity does not cause fatigue, palpitation or dyspnoea.
2- slight limitation of physical activity. Comfortable at rest but ordinary physical activity results in fatigue, palpitations or dyspnoea
3- marked limitation of physical activity. comfortable at rest but less than ordinary activity results in fatigue, palpitation or dyspnoea
4- unable to carry out physical activity without discomfort. symptoms at rest. if any physical activity is undertaken, discomfrot is increased
what are the levels of aldosterone like in HF?
aldosterone levels 20x normal in HF
what is kidney hypoperfusion result from?
reduced cardiac output- ie HF
thus leads to the activation of the RAAS
what does a decrease in CO result in ?
activation of the SNS and release of catecholamines
what is the initial benefit of a activation of the SNS?
Activation of B1 receptors will increase HR and
contractility
– Activation of alpha1 receptors causes
vasoconstriction
– » Redistributes blood flow to essential organs
(heart, brain, lungs)
– » Maintains BP in the face of decreased CO
what is the eventual harm that occurs when the SNS is activated?
Prolonged catecholamine stimulation results in:
* » Increased myocardial O2 demands
* » Down-regulation of B1 recs/decreased contractile function
* » Cardiac ischemia/arrhythmias (b/c heart working harder)
how would a HF patient presentation differ in a hospital than community?
Hospital
* Typically SOB, exercise intolerance, swollen
legs +/- other clinical features, dyspnoea,
fatigue, fluid retention
Community
* Usually less acute
* More challenging diagnosis
* Differential?
what are the complications in HF?
- Arrhythmias – common at any stage.
- Atrial fibrillation — prevalence increases with severity of HF
- Ventricular arrhythmias — common with dilated left ventricle and reduced LVEF
- Depression-
- Sexual dysfunction
- Common – may be caused by HF or drugs (e.g. beta-blockers).
- Cachexia (wasting) – serious complication
- Usually occurs together with severe dyspnoea and weakness.
- Life expectancy is worse for people with cachexia and HF than that for
most cancers. - Sudden death – about half of HF deaths
what is the stay and management for decompensated HF?
around 10 days
* Inpatient management:
– Bed rest – facilitates diuresis
– LMWH
– Strict fluid balance – input and output
– Daily weights
– Fluid restriction – 1.5L/day
– Daily U&E’s during IV therapy
– IV diuretics
– Catheter