Pediatric - Cardiology Flashcards
Heart failure
Most commonly caused by heart defect (shunt, obstruction or combo). Produces excessive pressure on the myocardium.
Symptoms of heart failure
- Tachycardia
- Tachypnea
- Scalp diaphoresis
- Fatigue and Irritability
- weight gain
- Respiratory distress
How to determine fluid retention in infants?
Weight gain of more than 1 pound per day.
Interventions for Heart Failure
- Daily weights
- oxygen
- small frequent meals
- Digoxin (withhold if less than 90-110bpm)
- Diuretics
Tetralogy of Fallot
Combination of 4 defects:
- VSD
- Pulmonary stenosis
- Overriding aorta
- RVH
If increased pulmonary vascular resistance then blood shunts from right to left side of heart. If systemic resistance is higher, blood shunts from left side of heart to right.
Overriding aorta
Aorta positioned directly over the ventricular septal defect rather than cover the left ventricle.
Symptoms of Tetralogy of Fallot
- Cyanotic episodes
- Murmur
- Finger clubbing
- Squatting (posture children use to get relief from exertion)
Interventions for hypercyanotic spells
- Knee to chest position
- Administer morphine sulfate
- Administer oxygen
- Administer IV fluids
Rheumatic fever
Inflammatory autoimmune disease resulting from a respiratory infection. Affects the connective tissues of the heart, joints, skin, blood vessel and CNS.
Rheumatic Heart Disease
Permanent damage to the heart due to inflammation.
Symptoms of Rheumatic Heart Disease
- Low grade fever with afternoon spike
- Increase anti-streptolysin O titer
- Increased ESR
- Increased CRP
- Aschoff bodies (lesions)
Kawasaki Disease
Acute systemic inflammatory illness with unknown cause but associated with an organism or toxin. Aneurysms can develop.
Symptoms of Kawasaki Disease
- Fever
- Conjunctival hyperemia
- Red throat
- Swollen hands, rash and lymph nodes.
