Definition (patho)
This type of left ventricular dysfunction occurs during the diastolic phase and is caused by increased stiffness or reduced relaxation of the ventricular muscle.
What is LV diastolic dysfunction?
This symptom is characterized by difficulty breathing while lying flat and often leads patients to sleep propped up with pillows.
What is orthopnea?
In the backward effect of left-sided heart failure, blood backs up into this organ system, leading to pulmonary edema and orthopnea.
What are the lungs?
This type of auscultation involves listening for abnormal breath sounds like crackles or wheezes that may indicate pulmonary congestion.
What is respiratory auscultation?
In response to chronic hypertension, the left ventricle undergoes this structural change to compensate for increased afterload.
What is hypertrophy (or left ventricular hypertrophy)?
This is the medical term for coughing up blood, often seen in severe cases of pulmonary congestion.
What is hemoptysis?
The forward effect of left-sided heart failure causes diminished perfusion to this vital organ, leading to confusion, dizziness, or even syncope.
What is the brain?
An S3 heart sound heard during this assessment may indicate volume overload due to heart failure.
What is cardiac auscultation?
This type of dysfunction occurs when the left ventricle is too weak to eject blood into the aorta, causing decreased stroke volume and cardiac output.
What is LV systolic dysfunction?
This visible bluish discoloration of the fingers and toes results from poor oxygenation and reduced cardiac output.
What is cyanosis of the extremities?
When the kidneys receive inadequate perfusion due to heart failure, this hormonal system is activated, further increasing fluid retention and workload on the heart.
What is the RAAS (Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System)?
This visible sign of fluid overload is assessed with the patient sitting upright and involves bulging veins on the side of the neck and occurs when the right side of the heart begins to fail due to LHF.
What is jugular vein distention (JVD)?
In LV systolic dysfunction, this hormonal system becomes persistently activated due to poor renal perfusion, further worsening the heart’s condition through vasoconstriction and fluid retention.
What is the RAAS (Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System)?
This fluid accumulation in the abdomen can occur in advanced heart failure and may also be accompanied by liver dysfunction.
What is ascites?
Poor forward flow from the left ventricle can reduce oxygen delivery to this system, causing fatigue, muscle weakness, and exercise intolerance.
What is the musculoskeletal system?
In heart failure, this finding in the arms or legs may include cool temperature, weak pulses, or poor color—suggesting decreased perfusion.
What is upper and lower extremity assessment?
This dual-effect phenomenon in LV systolic dysfunction includes both the buildup of pressure in pulmonary circulation and decreased systemic organ perfusion, leading to symptoms like pulmonary edema and activation of RAAS.
What are the backward and forward effects of left ventricular systolic dysfunction?
These two symptoms—one involving liver discoloration and the other involving mental status—can result from reduced perfusion to the liver and brain in heart failure.
What are jaundice and confusion?
When left-sided heart failure progresses and pressure continues to build in the pulmonary circulation, it can eventually cause this condition affecting the right side of the heart.
What is right-sided heart failure?
A noticeable delay in this simple test, along with weak pedal and radial pulses compared to the apical pulse, may suggest poor circulation or cardiac output.
What is capillary refill time?