Heart failure II

Question 1

what are the goals of HF therapy (4)?

Answer 1

1. relieve symptoms
2. prolong survival
3. improve quality of life
4. delay or prevent progression of myocardial dysfunction

Question 2

HF stage A

Answer 2

high risk for HF - no structural HD or symptoms (yet)

Question 3

HF stage B

Answer 3

structural ds (eg LVH) but no sx

Question 4

HF stage C

Answer 4

structural ds (eg MI) with sx (eg SOB); largest HF group

Question 5

HF stage D

Answer 5

refractory HF

Question 6

high risk for HF - no structural HD or symptoms (yet)

Answer 6

HF stage A

Question 7

structural ds (eg LVH) but no sx

Answer 7

HF stage B

Question 8

structural ds (eg MI) with sx (eg SOB); largest HF group

Answer 8

HF stage C

Question 9

refractory HF

Answer 9

HF stage D

Question 10

how do the HF stages differ from the functional class?

Answer 10

include structural defects

Question 11

what are the general measures of HF therapy?

Answer 11

risk factor reduction 
education 
activity 
diet 
manage fluid status

Question 12

what is the primary therapeutic strategy to combat heart failure?

Answer 12

counteracting neurohormonal activation

Question 13

what are the anti-neurohormonal drugs used to treat HF?

Answer 13

ACEIs
ARBs
BBs

Question 14

what are the agents of choice for HF?

Answer 14

ACEIs

Question 15

what drugs are useful when ACEIs are not tolerated due to cough or rash?

Answer 15

ARBs

Question 16

what are the only types of BBs that can be used in HF? what are the indications?

Answer 16

only beta-1 blockers (metroprolol) and BBs with vasodilating properties (carvedilol) reasonably tolerated by HF patients

only patients in functional class II or III already on standard therapy and with no contraindications

Question 17

what are some non drug options for HF?

Answer 17

mechanical - balloon pump, LV assist device
transplantation
artificial heart