Right Side Heart Failure Flashcards
Describe pathology
Normally due to chronic lung disease ‘cor pulmonale’
VQ mismatch occurs due to poor ventilation
Causes chronic vasoconstriction of pulmonary vessels
This increases blood pressure which will accumulate and travel back to the right ventricle
This causes right side hypertrophy and further damages heart and increases the pressure.
The increase pressure travels into the systemic circulation and when the osmotic pressure of blood exceeds of that in the tissues peripheral oedema is caused particularly when standing in the extremities.
There is also visceral congestion when the increase in blood volume accumulates in the hepatic vein contesting the kidneys causing damage.
It may also affect the spleen and digestive organs
An increase In blood volume causes damage as it reduces the ability to remove waste products and gain fresh nutrients.
