Pathophys: Cardio Flashcards
Definition of CHF
Loss of pumping action of the heart that results in congestion
How can you sub-divide CHF?
Acute/Chronic
L/R
What are the cardinal symptoms of LVF?
Dyspnea/Orthopnea/PND
Hemoptysis
Chest pain
Fatigue/Nocturia
What are the 4 major etiologies of CHF?
- Increased workload (PL/AL)
- Restricted filling (constrictive pericarditis)
- Myocardial dysfunction (MI)
- Decreased contractility (posion/infection)
The pathophysiology of heart failure can be explained by:
- HD changes
- Neurohumoral changes
- Cellular changes
HD changes in LVF can best be explained by 2 different types of dysfunction
Systolic dysfunction
Diastolic dysfunction
Etiologies of systolic dysfunction include:
CAD, valvular disease, HTN, aging, dilated CM
The 3 compensatory mechanisms employed by the body in heart failure are:
- Frank-Starling: increase preload
- Increased contractility (inotropes)
- Cardiac muscle hypertrophy
The neurohumoral changes experienced early in heart failure include:
- RAAS: Angio 2 vasoconstrictor
- ADH
- Cytokines and peptides: IL-1 [myocyte hypertrophy], TNF [myocyte hypertrophy, apoptosis], endothelin [myocyte hypertrophy, vasoconstriction], BNP [released when ventricle is stretched]
The cellular changes experienced in heart failure include:
- Inefficient Ca handling
- Adrenergic desensitization
- Myocyte hypertrophy
- Apoptosis
- Myocardial fibrosis (ventricular remodelling)
Cardinal signs/symptoms of RVF
- SOB: LVF, pulmonary disease, ascites/diaphragm,
- Pitting edema
- Abdominal pain: liver
- Increased JVP
- L sternal heave
Cor pulmonale can be caused by:
COPD/pulmonary hypertension, collagen vascular disease
Etiology of RVF
- LVF
- Congenital shunt
- Cor pulmonale
- RV ischemia
Describe the Bernheim and reverse Bernheim effects
Bernheim: LV deviates towards RV (aortic stenosis, HCM): no pulmonary congestion
Reverse Bernheim: Huge RV, septal deviation towards LV
DDX increased JVP
Cardiac tamponade, constrictive pericarditis, massive PE
S3
Rapid ventricular filling [physiological in children, athletes]; pathological in an already volume overloaded ventricle
Differentiate between a sustained and displaced apical impulse.
Sustained: LV hypertrophy
Displaced: Volume overloaded ventricle
What type of pulse pressure do you see in LVF?
Pulsus alternans
Why are LVF patients cold, pale and sweaty?
Sympathetic response
Differentiate between pulmonary edema and pleural effusion in LVF patients (based on acute/chronic).
Edema: acute
Effusion: chronic
S4
Filling a poorly compliant ventricle
Etiologies of AV block
Age, vagal input, muscular dystrophy, tuberous sclerosis, sarcoidosis, gout, SLE, LYME, CAD, ankylosing spondylitis
Palpitations generally precede tachy or brady arrhythmias
Tachy
What do you assess in an EKG?
Rate (300/150/100/75/60)
Rhythm
PR interval: <3 boxes
The requirements for a re-entrant circuit include:
- Slow conduction pathway
- Unidirectional block
- 2 pathways in a small area