Heart Failure Flashcards
What is heart failure?
A cardiac disorder that prohibits delivery of sufficient output to meet the perfusion requirements of metabolising tissues
Name four common causes of heart failure
Coronary artery disease, hypertension, cardiomyopathy and valvular heart disease
What are the clinical signs and symptoms of heart failure?
Peripheral hypo perfusion: fatigue, cool skin and peripheral cyanosis
Fluid retention/congestion: dyspnoea, oedema, basal crackles, increased JVP, ankle oedema and ascites
Increased sympathetic activity: tachycardia and sweating
What complications may occur as a result of heart failure?
Intravascular thrombosis, infection, functional valvular dysfunction (mitral or tricuspid regurgitation), organ failure, cardiac arrhythmias and sudden death.
Where is brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) produced?
By myocardial cells in response to raised left atrial pressure
What is the action of BNP?
Promotes natriuresis (excretion of sodium in the urine) and vasodilatation whilst inhibiting ADH and aldosterone release –> decrease in blood pressure
What may an elevated BNP indicate?
Heart disease, especially if the individual presents with dyspnoea and fluid retention
What is the action of spironolactone?
It’s a potassium sparing diuretic
What is diastolic heart failure?
Where there is impaired left ventricular filling due to increased chamber stiffness and/or decreased myocardial relaxation
