Heart Failure

Vocabulary flashcards covering key heart failure concepts, pathophysiology, and treatments from the lecture notes.

Heart Failure

A complex clinical syndrome from structural or functional impairment of ventricular filling or ejection of blood.

Preload

The ventricular end-diastolic volume/stretch before contraction; determined by venous return.

Afterload

The pressure the ventricle must generate to eject blood; related to systemic vascular resistance.

Contractility

Intrinsic ability of the myocardium to contract; influenced by calcium availability and myocardial health.

Cardiac Output

Total blood pumped per minute; calculated as heart rate × stroke volume.

Ejection Fraction (EF)

Percentage of end-diastolic blood ejected with each beat; normal ~55–65%.

Systolic Heart Failure (HFrEF)

Heart failure with reduced EF, typically EF < 50%, with poor forward flow.

Diastolic Heart Failure (HFpEF)

Heart failure with preserved EF (often 50–70%), due to impaired LV filling.

Left Heart Failure

Left ventricular failure causing pulmonary congestion/edema and dyspnea.

Right Heart Failure

Right ventricular failure causing systemic venous congestion (JVD, edema).

Mixed Heart Failure

Failure of both ventricles, often with high filling pressures and biventricular involvement.

High Output Failure

HF with normal/high CO but inadequate tissue perfusion due to high demand (e.g., anemia, sepsis, hyperthyroidism).

RAAS (Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System)

Hormonal system that promotes vasoconstriction and fluid retention; key driver of remodeling in HF.

Natriuretic Peptides (BNP/ANP)

Peptides released in response to ventricular stretch; promote natriuresis and vasodilation.

Left Ventricular Remodeling

Structural changes after injury (thickening/dilation, altered geometry) reducing pumping efficiency.

NYHA Functional Classification

Classes I–IV describing the degree of symptoms and activity limitation due to HF.

ACC/AHA Stages of HF

Stages A–D describing progression from at-risk to refractory heart failure.

SGLT2 Inhibitors (Gliflozins)

Medications that reduce HF hospitalizations; promote natriuresis/diuresis and may improve remodeling.

Diuretics

Drugs that promote fluid excretion (loop, thiazide, and potassium-sparing types).

ACE Inhibitors

Block conversion of angiotensin I to II; reduce afterload/preload and remodeling.

ARBs

Block angiotensin II receptors; alternative to ACE inhibitors.

ARNIs (Sacubitril/Valsartan)

Combined RAAS blockade and neprilysin inhibition; reduces mortality in HFrEF.

Hydralazine + Isosorbide Dinitrate

Vasodilators that reduce afterload (Hydralazine) and preload (Isosorbide dinitrate).

Beta-Blockers in HF

Carvedilol, Metoprolol, Bisoprolol; reduce sympathetic drive and improve outcomes.

Digoxin

Cardiac glycoside that increases contractility; used in select HF patients; narrow therapeutic window.

Digoxin Toxicity

Visual disturbances (yellow-green halos), GI symptoms, confusion, bradycardia; hypokalemia increases risk.

Nesiritide

Natrecor; IV vasodilator that reduces preload and afterload in HF.

Pulmonary Edema

Fluid accumulation in alveolar spaces due to elevated hydrostatic pressure from LV failure.

Echocardiogram

Ultrasound imaging of the heart to assess EF, chamber size, and valve function.

S3/S4 Heart Sounds

Additional heart sounds associated with HF (S3 = ventricular; S4 = atrial).

BNP as Biomarker

Blood test marker elevated in HF; supports diagnosis and prognosis.

Oxygen Therapy

Supplemental oxygen to improve oxygenation and reduce myocardial demand.

JVD (Jugular Venous Distension)

Visible neck veins indicating elevated central venous pressure; often in RV failure.

Sodium Restriction

Dietary salt limit (commonly around 2 g/day) to manage fluid retention in HF.

Weight Monitoring in HF

Daily weights; rapid increases (e.g., >2 lb in 24h or >5 lb/week) suggest fluid retention.