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CARDIOLOGY


HEART FAILURE

PromptDefine heart failure
ResponseDunn: Inability of the heart to pump sufficiently to provide the full metabolic demands of the tissue

Hear failure is a complex clinical syndrome with typical symptoms and sings that generally occur on exertion but can also occur at rest (particularly when recumbent) it is secondary to an abnormality of cardiac structure or function that impairs the ability of the heart to fill with blood at normal pressure or eject blood suffient to fulfil the needs of the metabolising organs.
Self-rate:
PromptLeft vs Right heart failure – Feel this is fair game

Remember Left is Lungs
Right is Rest of body
Response
Self-rate:
PromptClinical signs of APO
ResponseBilateral crackles
Raised JVP
Hepatomegaly
Tachycardia
Hypertension
Hypoxia
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PromptCauses/precipitants of heart failure
ResponseCardiogenic  
  • Acute valvular dysfunction  
  • Acute arrhythmia, eg Atrial fibrillation  
  • Ischaemia/ACS
  • Fluid overload, eg iatrogenic – fluid overload alone is too vague  
  • Non-compliance with cardiac medications/fluid restrictions
Non-cardiogenic  
  • Aspiration  
  • Inhalational injury  
  • SAH o Near drowning  
  • Pancreatitis  
  • Pulmonary embolism  
  • DIC
  • Sepsis/intercurrent illness
  • Renal failure  
  • Hepatic failure  
  • Medication changes/compliance issues
  • Electrolyte derangement (ie hypokalaemia)
  • Intercurrent illness
Self-rate:
PromptManagement (mainly GTN/NIV, reasoning + contraindications)
Response

  • GTN infusion - 5-100mcg/min (IV infusion 50mg in 50ml) 
Target end points – reduction in pre-load – systolic BP reduction to something reasonable ie 30% reduction or Clinical end point – decreased work of breathing or subjective dyspnoea, decreased tachypnoea, improved oxygenation etc. 
  • CPAP/BiPAP - Details: 5-10cm H20 PEEP/EPAP, IPAP less important here 
Clinical end-points as above, improved O2, decreased work, decreased RR or decreased BP 

NIV – CPAP 10cm H20 – mechanism – preload reduction through impeding SVC/IVC emptying into Rt Heart (secondary effect of improving gas exchange at alveolar-capillary membrane) – End-Point SBP <140 or similar/ decreased resp distress/ normoxia
Contra - ALOC/exhaustion/numerous… Poor resp effort Vomiting, haemoptysis Patient unable to tolerate mask  

GTN infusion – 10-50mcg/min IV - mechanism – vasodilation and preload reduction (mild benefit on myocardial work/oxygenation through afterload and vasodilatory effects) – end-point – SBP <140mmHg
Contra – Sildenafil in previous 24h, SBP <90

Some answers say SNiP –  0.5-4 mics/kg/min
Self-rate:
PromptCXR signs of APO
ResponseBilateral interstitial infiltrates
Bilateral small to moderate pleural effusions
Upper lobe venous diversion
Cardiomegaly (although AP film)
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