Drugs Used to Treat Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)

These flashcards cover essential terminology and concepts related to Congestive Heart Failure and its pharmacological treatment.

Heart Failure (HF)

A complex, progressive disorder where the heart cannot pump sufficient blood to meet the body’s needs.

Cardiac Output (COP)

The amount of blood the heart pumps in a minute; it must be greater than the body's needs to avoid heart failure.

Ejection Fraction (EF)

The fraction of blood ejected from a ventricle with each heartbeat, normally between 55%-65%.

Preload

The volume of blood in the ventricles at the end of diastole, indicating the amount of stretch in the left ventricle.

Afterload

The resistance the left ventricle must overcome to circulate blood, which impacts cardiac workload.

Systolic Heart Failure

Inability of the heart to contract effectively.

Diastolic Heart Failure

Inability of the heart to relax and fill adequately.

Cardiac Glycosides

Medicines like Digoxin that increase the force of heart contractions.

ACE Inhibitors

Medications that reduce afterload and preload by blocking the formation of angiotensin II, thus providing survival benefits in heart failure.

Diuretics

Drugs that help reduce fluid overload by promoting the excretion of sodium and water.

ARNI

Angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor, a class of drugs used to treat heart failure.

Symptoms of Right-Sided Heart Failure

Fatigue, distended jugular veins, ascites, and peripheral edema.

Symptoms of Left-Sided Heart Failure

Orthopnea, dyspnea, cough, and pulmonary congestion.

Neuroendocrine Activation

The response that occurs in heart failure leading to systemic effects like increased heart rate and blood volume.

Vasodilators

Drugs that reduce both preload and afterload by dilating blood vessels.

Risk Factors for Heart Failure

Conditions like hypertension, myocardial infarction, and valvular heart diseases that lead to heart failure.

Chronic Heart Failure Management

Includes fluid restrictions, dietary sodium reduction, and use of diuretics and RAAS inhibitors.

Digitalization

The process of administering digitalis to achieve therapeutic blood concentrations quickly.