PATHOLOGY - Congestive Heart Failure

Question 1

What are the consequences of left sided congestive heart failure?

Answer 1

Left sided heart failure is when the left ventricle is unable to pump enough blood into the aorta, causing a reduced cardiac output and tissue hypoperfusion. In addition, left-sided heart failure can cause a backup of blood into the pulmonary veins and pulmonary circulation, causing pulmonary congestion, increasing hydrostatic pressure, resulting in pulmonary oedema

Question 2

What are the clinical signs of left-sided congestive heart failure?

Answer 2

Exercise intolerance
Syncope
Pulmonary oedema
Progressive dyspneoa
Coughing
Pleural effusion (in cats)
Pericardial effusion (in cats)

Question 3

What indicates pulmonary oedema on thoracic auscultation?

Answer 3

Increased lung sounds with fine crackles, ± wheezes

Question 4

What indicates pleural effusion on thoracic auscultation?

Answer 4

Decreased lung sounds

Question 5

What indicates pericardial effusion on thoracic auscultation?

Answer 5

Muffled heart sounds

Question 6

How do you manage left sided congestive heart failure?

Answer 6

Oxygen supplementation
Diuretics
Pimobendan if there is systolic dysfunction
Antiarrhythmic drugs if indicated
Thoracocentesis for cats with pleural effusion
Pericardiocentesis for cats with pericardial effusion

Question 7

What are the consequences of right sided congestive heart failure?

Answer 7

Right sided heart failure is when the right ventricle is unable to pump enough blood into the pulmonary circulation, which consequently reduces venous return to the left side of the heart resulting in a reduced cardiac output and tissue hypoperfusion. In addition, right-sided heart failure can cause a backup of blood into the cranial and caudal vena cavae and systemic circulation, causing systemic congestion, increasing hydrostatic pressure, resulting in systemic oedema

Question 8

What are the clinical signs of right-sided congestive heart failure?

Answer 8

Exercise intolerance
Syncope
Jugular venous distension and pulsation
Ascites
Hepatomegaly
Splenomegaly
Positive hepatojugular reflux
Pleural effusion
Pericardial effusion

Question 9

What are some key signs of cardiogenic ascites on ultrasound?

Answer 9

Fluid within the abdominal cavity
Venous distension

Distended hepatic veins

Question 10

What kind of effusion is typically found in ascites with a cardiogenic aetiology?

Answer 10

Modified transudate effusion

Question 11

How do you treat right sided congestive heart failure?

Answer 11

Oxygen supplementation
Diuretics
Pimobendan if there is systolic dysfunction
Antiarrhythmic drugs if indicated
Thoracocentesis
Pericardiocentesis
Abdominocentesis