Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) Review

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering terminology, classifications, pathophysiology, clinical findings, and pharmacological treatments for Congestive Heart Failure.

HFrEF

Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

HFpEF

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Pulsus alternans

An arterial pulse characterized by alternating strong and weak beats.

NYHA Class I

Classification indicating no limitation of physical activity, where ordinary physical activity does not cause symptoms.

NYHA Class II

Classification indicating slight limitation of physical activity; comfortable at rest, but ordinary physical activity causes symptoms.

NYHA Class III

Classification indicating marked limitation of physical activity; comfortable at rest, but less than ordinary activity causes symptoms.

NYHA Class IV

Classification indicating severe limitation and discomfort with any physical activity, where symptoms are present even at rest.

ACC-AHA Stage A

Stage where a patient is at high risk for heart failure but without structural heart disease or symptoms of heart failure.

ACC-AHA Stage B

Stage characterized by structural heart disease but without symptoms of heart failure.

ACC-AHA Stage C

Stage characterized by structural heart disease with prior or current symptoms of heart failure.

ACC-AHA Stage D

Stage characterized by refractory heart failure requiring specialized interventions.

Hydralazine

A centrally acting direct vasodilator used as an alternative to ACE inhibitors or ARBs, particularly in African American patients who may be insensitive to ACE inhibitors.

Isosorbide Dinitrate

A venodilator that reduces afterload, used in combination with hydralazine as an alternative to ACE inhibitors and ARBs.

Digitalis

A cardiac medication that acts as a positive $(+)$ inotrope and a negative $(-)$ chronotrope.

Left-Sided Heart Failure

Heart dysfunction leading to decreased cardiac output and pulmonary congestion, characterized by orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, crackles, and cough with pinkish, frothy sputum.

Right-Sided Heart Failure

Heart dysfunction leading to congestion of peripheral tissues, characterized by dependent pitting edema, ascites, hepatomegaly, anorexia, and jugular vein distension.

RAAS

Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone System; a neurohormonal pathway activated in heart failure leading to vasoconstriction, sodium and water retention, and cardiac remodeling.

SNS

Sympathetic Nervous System; activated in heart failure to increase heart rate and inotropy, but chronic activation contributes to myocardial toxicity and negative remodeling.

Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea (PND)

Sudden awakening from sleep with severe shortness of breath, characteristic of left-sided heart failure and pulmonary congestion.

UNLOAD FAST

A mnemonic for treating congestive heart failure standing for Upright position, Nitrates, Lasix, Oxygen, ACE Inhibitors, Digoxin, Fluids (Decrease), Afterload (Decrease), Sodium Restriction, and Test (Digoxin level, ABGs, Potassium level).