Cardiac insufficiency

Complications

What are the potential complications that can arise from cardiac insufficiency? Patients suffering from cardiac insufficiency are more predisposed to developing the following: Acute pneumopathy, which is favored for development due to pulmonary stasis Embolisms and pulmonary infarctions Bacterial endocarditis Hydroelectric disruptions Intoxication due to digitalis Cardiac cirrhosis, etc

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Medical Author: Dr. med. Diana Hysi

Articles for cardiac insufficiency

Introduction

Cardiac insufficiency is a clinical syndrome which is characterized by the inability of the heart to pump well enough to supply all the tissues of the body with blood. Since the heart and peripheral vessels are functionally a joint system, one can also use the term cardiovascular insufficiency as well as cardiac insufficiency.

Two pathogenic theories behind cardiac insufficiency

The reduction in contractile power of the myocardium causes the cavities of the heart to not be fully emptied, hence the residual systolic blood and the ventricular diastolic pressure rise. Alongside the aforementioned, the atrial pressure rises, and the flow of venous blood is obstructed.

Symptoms (left venticular insufficiency)

Acute insufficiency of the left ventricle is characterized by dyspnea which occurs mostly at night, resembling cardiac asthma or acute pulmonary edema. The earliest symptom to emerge in chronic insufficiency of the left ventricle is dyspnea.

Diagnosis (left venticular insufficiency)

Upon conducting an examination of the heart, one can observe the left ventricle has been displaced to the bottom left, the heart sounds are muted, fast and a galloping rhythm and systolic noise can be heard at the apex of the heart as a consequence of the functional mitral insufficiency.

Causes

The causes of cardiac insufficiency are multiple and include: determining factors, factors which lead to the emergence of the disease like extreme physical exertions, various infections such as acute pneumopathies, influenza, etc.

Types of cardiac insufficiency (right ventricle)

Acute insufficiency of the right ventricle usually emerges as a consequence of a pulmonary embolisms. Chronic insufficiency of the right ventricle patients complain of a feeling of heaviness or pain in the right hypochondrium.

Diagnosis (right chronic insufficiency)

Upon conducting a heart examination, it is noted that there is tachycardia, the heart sounds have become muted, there are galloping sounds and systolic rumours in the vicinity of the xiphoid process, which all indicate a functional insufficiency of the tricuspid valve.

Classification

There are many cardiac insufficiency classifications being used. These classifications are used in order to help with a better understanding of the different stages and the treatment of the various stages.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis is based on the information collected from the patient history; organic cardiopathic signs such as dyspnea, pulmonary stasis, tachycardia, galloping rhythm, coughing with hemoptoic sputum etc, are all symptoms related to the left ventricle.

Complications

Patients suffering from cardiac insufficiency are more predisposed to developing acute pneumopathy, which is favored for development due to pulmonary stasis; embolisms and pulmonary infarctions; bacterial endocarditis, etc.

Treatment

Preventive non-drug based treatments include bed rest and diet. Drug based treatments vary across different stages, symptoms and various patients belonging to various age groups and specifications. Treatment is usually complex and involves utilizing drug combinations.

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