Heart Failure

Question 1

Condition in which the heart can’t pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs
Either the heart can’t fill with enough blood or it can’t pump blood to the rest of the body with enough force

Answer 1

Congestive heart failure

Question 2

Clinical features of Congestive heart failure

Answer 2

• Dyspnoea (shortness of breath)
• Oedema (swelling)

Question 3

What are some DD of CHF

Answer 3

Asthma
Acute coronary syndrome
COPD
Pulmonary embolism

Question 4

Occurs when the heart can’t pump enough oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body

Answer 4

Left sided heart failure

Question 5

Occurs if the heart can’t pump enough blood to the lungs to pick up oxygen

Answer 5

Right sided heart failure

Question 6

Causes of left sided heart failure

Answer 6

• Ischaemic Heart Disease (e.g. MI)
• Hypertension
• AV and MV disease
• Myocardial diseases (Cardiomyopathies and Myocarditis)

Question 7

Clinical manifestations of left sided heart failure

Answer 7

• Dyspnoea and orthopnoea, caused by pulmonary congestion and oedema (common)
• Pleural effusion with hydrothorax (often)
• Reduction in renal perfusion → Activation of RAAS → Retention of NaCl and H2O
• Cerebral anoxia (less frequent)

Question 8

Causes of right sided heart failure

Answer 8

• Left-sided heart failure (most common)
• Left-sided lesions (e.g. Mitral Valve stenosis)
• Pulmonary hypertension, caused by Cor pulmonale
• Cardiomyopathy and diffuse Myocarditis
• Tricuspid valve or pulmonary vascular disease

Question 9

Clinical manifestations of right sided heart failure

Answer 9

• Renal hypoxia → Fluid retention (pleural effusion, ascites) and peripheral oedema (“pitting” oedema of the ankles)
• Enlarged & congested liver and spleen
• Distention of the neck veins