Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Cardiovascular > Heart failure > Flashcards

Heart failure Flashcards

1
Q

What is heart failure?

A

When the heart is unable to pump sufficiently to maintain blood flow to meet the body’s demands

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Is heart failure curable?

A

No, but it is treatable

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What types of heart failure can you get?

A
  • Left ventricular failure
  • Right ventricular failure
  • Congestive cardiac failure (both sides)

ALSO

Reduced ejection fraction (LV failure to contract properly)

Preserved ejection fraction (LV able to contract but unable to relax and fill properlY0

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What are the symptoms of heart failure?

A

SOB:

  • on exertion, then at rest
  • orthopnoea
  • paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea

Fatigue + weakness

Oedema: pulmonary, peripheral

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are the signs of heart failure?

A

SOB

Bilateral basal crackles

Murmurs, S3 (or S4) heart sounds
Pleural effusion
Raised JVP
Oedema: pulmonary or peripheral
Hepatomegaly
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is NTproBNP?

A

A hormone produced by the atria/ventricles when they are over-stretched

In heart failure the atria get stretched

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Should you use NTproBNP as a tool for diagnosis?

A

If it is raised in may indicate HF, but it is not synonymous.

Use their symptoms mainly and NTproBNP to assist

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What are the causes of heart failure?

A

Myocardial damage:
IHD, damaged ventricle

Hypertension

Alcohol excess

Cardiomyopathy (damage to cardiac muscles)

Valve problems

Endocarditis and pericarditis

Cor pulmonale

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is ejection fraction?

A

When blood is ejected from the ventricle it is not emptied completely, there is a residual volume left behind.

Ejection fraction is the % of blood that is ejected

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is a healthy ejection fraction in young people?

A

About 65%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What happens to ejection fraction in heart failure?

A

Can be preserved or reduced

Preserved: ventricle can contract ok but can’t relax and fill

Reduced: ventricle can’t contract properly

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is cardiomyopathy?

A

Chronic disease of the cardiac muscle

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What are the 3 types of cardiomyopathy?

A

Dilated
Hypertrophic
Restrictive

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Describe dilated cardiomyopathy.

A

Stretched ventricles
Can’t contract properly
Reduced EF

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Describe hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

A

Small cavity caused by hypertrophy of muscle walls

Thick muscular walls

Ventricle can’t relax and fill properly
Preserved EF

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Describe restrictive cardiomyopathy.

A

Heart walls are rigid, so they can’t contract or relax properly

The heart can’t stretch or fill properly

17
Q

What is myocarditis?

What is it caused by?

A

Inflammation of the myocardium

Viruses, alcohol, chemotherapies

18
Q

What investigations would you do for heart failure?

A

ECG: may indicate cause, look for ischaemia, MI, hypertrophy

Bloods: FBC, U+E, NTproBNP

CXR: look for cardiomegaly, pleural effusions etc.

Echo: indicate the cause, look for LV dysfunction

19
Q

What medical emergency can happen as a result of heart failure?

Clinical features?

A

Acute pulmonary oedema

Severe SOB: at rest, PND, orthopnoea
Sweaty, nauseated and anxious
Cough: dry or productive (pink, frothy sputum)

Tachypnoea
Cyanosis
Raised JVP
Clammy
Bilateral basal crackles
S3 heart sounds or murmurs
Cardiogenic shock: hypotension, oliguria, low cardiac output
20
Q

How would you manage acute heart failure?

A

ABCDE
Sit patient upright

Nitrates (GTN)
IV Furosemide: treats oedema, lowers BP
Analgesia (opiates)

Consider CPAP

21
Q

How would you manage chronic heart failure?

A

Treat the cause: arrhythmia, IHD etc.

Amend lifestyle: lose weight, stop smoking, eat less salt

Drugs

Transplant

Implantable pacemaker

Palliative care

22
Q

What drugs are used to treat chronic heart failure?

A

ABCDD

ACEi/ARBs

Beta blockers

C: mineraloCorticoid receptor antagonist (aldosterone)

Diuretics (furosemide)
Digoxin

Ivabradine (slows HR)
Opiates in severe cases

23
Q

What problems are caused by left sided cardiac failure?

A 
Pulmonary congestion (blood is back logged into lungs)
Overload of right side

Because blood can’t be pumped out of the LV properly

24
Q

What problems are caused by right sided cardiac failure?

A

Venous hypertension (blood is backlogged into IVC)

Congestion

25
Q

What is Cor Pulmonale?

A

Enlargement and failure of the right ventricle caused by increased vascular resistance in the lungs

26
Q

What causes Cor Pulmonale?

A

Anything that causes vascular resistance in the lungs.

Pulmonary hypertension
Stenosis of pulmonary artery

Cardiovascular (18 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions