Heart Failure

Question 1

Cor-pulmonale

Answer 1

Refers to the right sided heart enlargement and failure resulting from pulmonary hypertension

Question 2

How does hypercapnia and hypoxia contribute to for-pulmonale

Answer 2

It contributes to pulmonary vasoconstriction which exacerbates pulmonary hypertension

Question 3

What is pulmonary hypertension

Answer 3

An elevated bp in the arteries of the lungs which increases the workload of the right ventricles

Question 4

Why do we hear very little about right heart failure

Answer 4

It is not as common and often related to specific pathologies

Question 5

What pathologies are often associated with right heart failure

Answer 5

Valvular disorders, pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary embolism, right ventricular infarction, and most commonly due to left heart failure

Question 6

Why do we talk more about left heart failure?

Answer 6

Because it is caused by common things such as HTN,CAD,AMI,left sided valvular conditions, cardiomyopathies

Question 7

What is systolic heart failure

Answer 7

The left ventricle has a decreased and weak contraction with every heartbeat

Question 8

What does systolic heart failure result in physiologically?

Answer 8

Less blood is pumped out into the systemic circulation ie. there is a decrease in SV and an increase EDV

Question 9

What is stroke volume dependent on?

Answer 9

Preload, contractility, and afterload

Question 10

A decrease in stroke volume results in a decrease in what?

Answer 10

Ejection fraction

Question 11

What is systolic heart failure caused by?

Answer 11

CAD, AMI, and cardiomyopathy

Question 12

Why is there an increase of EDV in systolic heart failure

Answer 12

Because the heart is unable to pump out blood effectively there is a decrease in stroke volume. This results in left over blood in the ventricle by the end of diastole

Question 13

Diastolic heart failure

Answer 13

The ventricle has difficulty relaxing and filling with blood during diastole

Question 14

Why does the ventricle have a hard time filling with blood during diastole (diastolic heart failure)

Answer 14

Because the ventricles are stiff which leads to a decrease in EDV

Question 15

What happens to the ventricular pressure in the ventricles

Answer 15

The left ventricle pressure increases which causes a fluid backup which can enter into the lungs

Question 16

Due to increased pressure in the left ventricle, fluid gets backed up into the lungs. What is this called?

Answer 16

Pulmonary congestion

Question 17

What are the consequences of diastolic heart failure

Answer 17

Reduced chamber space and reduced compliance

Question 18

What is lusitrophy

Answer 18

Rate of myocardial relaxation, a reduction of this can cause diastolic heart failure

Question 19

How can severe Anemia contribute to Diastolic Heart Failure

Answer 19

Because anemia results in a low oxygen carrying capacity, this increases the workload onto the heart; increased HR and CO which can result in hypertrophy and exacerbate conditions

Question 20

How can hyperthyroidism contribute to Diastolic heart failure

Answer 20

An overactive thyroid gland, increases thyroid hormone in the blood which increases CO, HR, and BP = increased workload on the heart

Question 21

How can Pregnancy contribute to diastolic heart failure

Answer 21

To support the fetus and meet the moms metabolic demands, there is an increase in blood volume, HR and CO = increase on hearts workload

Question 22

What are cardiomyopathies?

Answer 22

Conditions that lead to structural and functional abnormalities which results in all type of heart failure

Question 23

What are co-morbidities of heart failure

Answer 23

• diabetes
• sleeping disorders
• COPD
• Anemia
• chronic kidney disease
• arthritis