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Clinical Manifestations of Left Sided Heart Failure

Left sided heart failure can cause a variety of symptoms including fatigue, shortness of breath, coughing, rapid or irregular pulse, and changes in behavior. It is caused by conditions that strain the left ventricle such as a myocardial infarction, high blood pressure, or valve problems. This leads to enlargement of the heart and reduced pumping ability. Blood pools in the lungs causing pulmonary edema and congestion. Treatment focuses on treating the underlying cause, reducing symptoms, relieving heart stress, and improving survival by using medications, lifestyle changes, and sometimes surgery.

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193 views25 pages

Clinical Manifestations of Left Sided Heart Failure

Left sided heart failure can cause a variety of symptoms including fatigue, shortness of breath, coughing, rapid or irregular pulse, and changes in behavior. It is caused by conditions that strain the left ventricle such as a myocardial infarction, high blood pressure, or valve problems. This leads to enlargement of the heart and reduced pumping ability. Blood pools in the lungs causing pulmonary edema and congestion. Treatment focuses on treating the underlying cause, reducing symptoms, relieving heart stress, and improving survival by using medications, lifestyle changes, and sometimes surgery.

Uploaded by

Paul
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Left Sided

Heart Failure
Clinical
Manifestations
Fatigue or weakness

Shortness of breath
with or without activity

Orthopnea
Rapid or irregular pulse

chronic dry or frothy cough


Nocturia

Palpitations
Oliguria

Loss of appetite or
indigestion
Cold, diaphoretic (sweaty)
dusky colored skin

Changes in behavior such


as restlessness, confusion,
decreased attention span
and memory
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
Left sided Heart Failure
Left sided Congestive Heart
Failure

CAUSES:
MI
HPN
Aortic stenosis/insufficiency
Mitral stenosis/insufficiency
Increased workload

Enlargement of Ventricles

Diminished Left ventricular function

Pooling of blood in the ventricle &


atrium

Regurgitation to pulmonary veins and


capillaries
Pulmonary circulation becomes
engorged

Increase capillary pressure

Pushing of Na+ and H2O to the


interstitial space

Pulmonary edema
Clinical manifestations of pulmonary
congestion:

Dyspnea /DOE
Cough
Pulmonary crackles
Low O2 saturation levels
S3 or ventricular “gallop”

Inadequate tissue perfusion

Widespread diminished CO and SV


Stimulation of Sympathetic NS

Further impedes perfusion to other


organs

Blood flow to kidneys decreases

Causing decreased perfusion and


reduced urine output

Release of renin from the kidney

Aldosterone secretion

Increase intravascular volume


As HF progresses CO may cause other
symptoms:

GI perfusion (altered digestion)

Brain perfusion (dizziness, lightheadednes,


confusion restlessnes,anxiety)

SNS response (pale,cool,clammy skin)

Ejected ventricular volume (palpitations, weak


pulse

Without adequate CO the body cannot respond


to energy demands (easily fatigued,activity
intolerance)
Diagnostic
Exams
and Tests
• Blood tests to evaluate
thyroid, liver, and kidney
function

• Chest x-ray

• Coronary angiography
• Electrocardiogram
(ECG)

• Heart stress test

•Ultrasound of the heart


(echocardiogram)
Treatment
The goals of treatments are:
•Treat the disease that is causing
the heart failure
•Reduce symptoms
•Relieve stress on the heart
•Reduce risks of worsening heart
failure
•Improve chances of survival
Treatment may involve:

•Lifestyle changes such as


stopping drinking alcohol
•Medicines for high blood
pressure
• Surgery or cardiac
catheterization to open blocked
heart arteries
Medicines that may be used include:
•Beta-blockers to prevent death in certain patients
•Digitalis to help slow heart rhythms and increase
the heart beat
•Diuretics to help the body get rid of extra fluid
•Spironolactone or epleronone to prevent salt
retention and help patients with severe heart
failure
•ARBs, ACE inhibitors, long-acting nitrates, and
hydralazine to reduce the stress on the heart and to
prevent further muscle damage and scarring
•Digoxin to increase muscle strength and slow down
abnormally fast heart rates
For Listening

Group 1 Integrity

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