Pathophysiology of Congestion & Oedema Flashcards
Flow (Q) = ______
pressure gradient (deltaP) / resistance (R)
What happens to the floe with an increased pressure gradient?
it increases also
What is congestion?
excess of blood in vessels of tissue/organ
How would you describe the process of congestion?
Is it a physiological mechanism?
passive
It is not a physiological mechanism, it is a pathological process.
Give examples of active hyperaemia.
4
- exercise/digestion
- release of blockage
- inflammation (exudation)
- heat loss (vasodilation)
- menopause/blushing
Give examples of passive hyperaemia (congestion).
3
- local acute congestion (e.g. DVT)
- local chronic congestion (e.g. liver cirrhosis)
- generalised acute congestion (e.g. CHF)
What is deep vein thrombosis, in basic terms?
vein in lower limb is blocked by clot causing congestion
Outline the pathophysiology of DVT, in terms of pressure, flow and resistance.
- blood clot/thrombus causes block
- outflow of blood is reduced (Q reduced)
- venous pressure increases (to match arterial pressure)
- pressure gradient decreases, Q decreases further
- haemostasis, further thrombosis
- O2 delivery decreases, ischaemia and infarction
What is a serious complication of DVT?
pulmonary thromboembolism
What type of drug is digoxin?
What are its effects? (2)
cardiac glycoside
- treats HF
- stimulates heart to beat stronger and with more regular rhythm
Outline briefly what hepatic cirrhosis is.
2
- late stage scarring (fibrosis) of the liver
- caused by hepatitis and chronic alcoholism.
What is a complication of hepatic cirrhosis?
portal hypertension (congestion)
Which hepatic vessels/circulation is affected by congestion?
portal veins (circulation)
Where there is congestion in the portal venous system, several sites anastomose with the systemic circulation.
What are they called?
What complications can this lead to?
(3)
portal-systemic shunts
- haemorrhage risk
- oesophageal varices (can lead to severe bleeding/death)
- caput medusae (medusa snakes head)
Briefly outline what congestive heart failure is?
- ineffective pump (affects LV and RV)
- many causes inc. IHD, vascular disease
Explain the pathophysiology behind congestive heart failure i.e. why is there less cardiac output and what is the consequence of this?
- reduced CO
- reduced renal GFR
- increased renin production
- increased Na+/H2O retention
- increased PV/fluid overload
- increased congestion