Heart Failure Flashcards
What is heart failure?
A syndrome in which patients have typical symptoms and signs resulting from an abnormality of cardiac structure or function
Only older people can get heart failure. T/F?
False - it is more common in older people but can still be experienced by people of all ages
Why is heart failure a growing problem?
Increasing prevalence of risk factors, improved post MI survival and an ageing population
What are the cardinal symptoms of heart failure?
Dyspnoea Fatigue Ankle swelling Sinus tachycardia AF or other arrythmia Raised JVP Pulmonary crackles Displaced apex beat Heltomegaly
What blood test is the best indicator of prognosis in heart failure?
BNP (b type naturetic peptide)
What is B type naturetic peptide?
A hormone secreted by cardiomyocytes un response to stretching by increased ventricular volume
What are the common investigations done in heart failure?
ECG
CXR
Echocardiogram
MRI
What drugs are used to inhibit the sympathetic nervous system to decrease heart rate in heart failure?
Beta blockers
What drugs are used to agonise the natriuretic peptide system in heart failure?
Neprilysin inhibitors
What drugs work to inhibit the renin angiotensin aldosterone system in heart failure?
RAAS inhibitors
What drugs can precipitate and or aggravate heart failure?
NSAIDs Calcium antagonists except amlodipine Antiarrhytmics except amidarone Tricyclic depressants Corticosteroids
How do sacubitril and valsartan work as dugs to treat heart failure?
They inhibit the RAAS by blocking the angiotensin II receptor and stimulate the natiuretic peptide system by inhibit the enzyme neorilysin
What are the problems with cardiac pacemakers?
Do not improve symptoms Do not improve left ventricular function Psychological burden High cosy Inappropriate shocks Driving implications
How does an intra aortic balloon pump work to treat heart failure?
Increases coronary perfusion
Decreases afterload
Improves cardiac output
Heart transplant gives increased risk of…?
Opportunistic infection Malignancy Renal failure Hypertension Coronary artery disease
