Heart failure Flashcards
What is the definition of heart failure?
Inability of the heart to pump blood out as rapidly as it enters and congestion of pulmonary or systemic circulation (often referred to as congestive heart failure) leading to reduced output to body tissues
What are the causes of CHF?
- Diffuse coronary artery disease (myocardial ischemia)
- Myocardial infarction
- Arrhythmias (tachycardia/bradycardia)
- Valvular heart disease
- Acute hypertensive crisis
- Chronic hypertension
- Idiopathic causes
True or false: CHF may develop acutely or be a chronic disease
True
What should be suspected in acute onset CHF?
AMI, dysrhythmia, and hypertensive crisis
What can cause chronic CHF to worsen acutely?
- Respiratory infection
- Pulmonary embolism
- Emotional stress
- Increased salt and water intake
What are the subtypes of CHF?
Left sided, right sided, and biventricular
Describe LHF
Left ventricle fails as effective pump -> LV cannot eject blood delivered from right heart through pulmonary circulation -> blood backs up into pulmonary circulation -> increased pressure in pulmonary capillaries forces blood serum out of capillaries into interstitial spaces and alveoli -> increased respiratory work and decreased
gas exchange occur
What are the common causes of LHF?
- AMI
- Chronic hypertension
- Dysrhythmias
What is cardiac remodelling?
Increased muscle mass without the blood flow to continue tissue oxygenation
Is cardiac remodelling reversible?
No
What are the signs/symptoms of LHF?
Dyspnea on exertion Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea Orthopnea Fatigue, generalized weakness Anxiety, confusion, restlessness Persistent cough Pink, frothy sputum Tachycardia Tachypnea Noisy, labored breathing Rales/wheezing ("cardiac asthma") Cyanosis (late) Third heart sound
Describe RHF
Right ventricle fails as effective pump -> RV cannot eject blood returning through vena cavae -> blood backs up into systemic circulation -> increased pressure in systemic capillaries forces fluid out of capillaries into interstitial spaces -> tissue oedema occurs
What is the most common cause of RHF?
LHF
What are other causes of RHF?
- Chronic hypertension
- COPD
- Pulmonary embolism
- RV MI
What are the signs/symptoms of RHF?
- Tachycardia
- JVD
- Pedal, pre-tibial, sacral oedema
- Hepatomegaly
- Splenomegaly
- Generalised oedema
- Fluid accumulation in body cavities (ascites, pleural effusion, pericardial effusion)