heart failure Flashcards
(49 cards)
What is heart failure?
Chronic, progressive condition in which the heart muscle is unable to pump enough blood to maintain cardiac output to meet demand
This results in insufficient oxygen delivery to tissues and fluid accumulation in the lungs.
What is the essential feature of congestive heart failure?
Dyspnea
Dyspnea refers to difficulty or discomfort in breathing.
What symptoms are associated with left-sided heart failure?
Symptoms include:
* Dyspnea on exertion
* Orthopnea
* Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
* Wheezing
* Easy fatigability
These symptoms are predominantly respiratory.
What symptoms are associated with right-sided heart failure?
Symptoms include:
* Peripheral edema
* Ascites
* Raised JVP
* Hepatomegaly
These symptoms indicate fluid accumulation in the body.
What is heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HF - REF)?
Condition where EF is LOW (<45%)
It is characterized by systolic dysfunction and impaired contraction.
What is heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HF - PEF)?
Condition where EF is = or more than 50%
It is characterized by diastolic dysfunction and impaired relaxation.
What are the main causes of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction?
Main causes include:
* Myocardial Infarction (CAD)
* Valvular Heart Disease
* Dilated Cardiomyopathy
* Hypertension
Hypertension can initially preserve EF but may lead to systolic dysfunction over time.
What are the main causes of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction?
Main causes include:
* Hypertension
* Other conditions leading to heart dilation
* left ventricular hypertrophy
* age related heart stiffening
Over time, hypertension may lead to reduced EF.
What is the relationship between ejection fraction and survival in heart failure?
The lower the EF, the poorer the survival
This indicates the severity of heart failure.
True or False: There are effective therapies for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.
True
Therapies aim to treat the underlying cause and manage symptoms.
What are the added sounds associated with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction?
Added S3 sound
This sound is indicative of heart failure.
What are the added sounds associated with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction?
Added S4 sound
This sound is often associated with diastolic dysfunction.
Fill in the blank: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction has an EF of _____
[50% or more]
Fill in the blank: Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction has an EF of _____
[<45%]
What is Class I in the NYHA Classification of Heart Failure Severity?
No symptoms with ordinary physical activity
This classification helps in assessing the severity of heart failure.
What characterizes Class II in the NYHA Classification?
Mild limitation of physical activity; symptoms with ordinary physical activity
This indicates a moderate level of heart failure severity.
What is the definition of Class III in the NYHA Classification?
Marked limitation of physical activity; symptoms with less than ordinary physical activity
Patients in this class experience significant functional impairment.
What does Class IV represent in the NYHA Classification?
Unable to perform any physical activity; symptoms at rest
This is the most severe classification, indicating advanced heart failure.
What is the SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT DIAGNOSTIC TEST for heart failure?
Echocardiogram
It provides essential information on heart structure and function.
What is the best initial test for heart failure diagnosis?
Transthoracic echo
This test is non-invasive and widely available.
What does echocardiography estimate in heart failure?
Ejection fraction
It differentiates between HF - REF and HF - PEF.
What abnormalities can an echocardiogram show?
- Chamber dilation or hypertrophy
- Wall motion abnormality
- Valvular disease
- Cardiomyopathy
- severity of LV dysfunction
These findings help in identifying the underlying cause of heart failure.
What does ECG help detect in heart failure?
- Arrhythmias (e.g., heart block, A. fib)
- Evidence of CAD & old MI (HF - REF)
- Evidence of left ventricular hypertrophy (HF - PEF)
ECG is crucial for evaluating electrical activity and structural changes.
What is the role of a Holter monitor in heart failure investigations?
To detect paroxysmal arrhythmias
these are arrhythmias that come and go
It provides continuous ECG monitoring over 24 hours or more.