Acute Decompensated HF

Labs/Diagnostics

100

Used to assess for evidence of ACS (myocardial ischemia or MI) and arrhythmias (eg, atrial fibrillation). Also used to monitor conductivity.

ECG

200

Ultrasound used to determine ejection fraction of the heart.

ECHO

300

Ultrasound used to determine ejection fraction of the heart.

BNP

400

Primary biomarker for the diagnosis of myocardial necrosis in an acute coronary syndrome

Troponins

500

A recommended lab for patients presenting with occult shock lacking typical s/sx of decompensation. A good determinant of hypoperfusion.

Lactate

Potpourri (i.e. Miscellaneous)

100

These are common causes of an acute decompensation of heart failure.

Nonadherence to medication, volume overload, unmanaged hypertension, progression of chronic heart failure, etc.

200

The presumed mechanism for systolic failure

Fluid retention and peripheral vasoconstriction

300

This is the ultimate result in the pathophysiology of heart failure/damage

Cardiac remodeling

400

This type of heart failure can be an initial presentation or a decompensation of existing disease

Acute decompensated heart failure

500

This class of medications should not be used in patients that present with hypotension

Vasodilators (e.g. nitroglycerin, nitroprusside, and nesiritide)

Presentation & Staging

100

This type of heart failure is characterized by fatigue, edema, weight gain, ascites, and distended jugular veins.

Right sided HF

200

This type of heart failure is characterized by pulmonary congestion, nocturnal dyspnea, orthopnea, tachycardia, and cyanosis.

Left sided HF

300

This class of the NYHA Functional Classification system defines HF as having symptoms with ordinary activity, but comfortable at rest.

Class II

400

This stage of HF is defined as the presence of structural disease and past or current symptoms of HF.

Stage C

500

A patient with fluid overload but adequate tissue perfusion would be classified as this

Warm & Wet

Drugs (who am I?)

100

I am useful for patients in cardiogenic shock and I have both beta-1 and beta-2 activity.

Dobutamine

200

I am a vasodilator whose side effects include; hypotension, bradycardia, and cyanide/thiocyanate toxicity.

Nitroprusside

300

Monitoring daily weights is important because I reduce pulmonary and peripheral edema. My normal dosing is 1:40 to that of furosemide.

Bumetanide

400

We should not be used alone in heart failure, instead we can be added on to loop therapy. Who are we? (drug class)

Thiazide diuretics

500

I am useful for patients with low cardiac output who are also euvolemic. I increase cardiac output,  systemic vascular resistance, and blood pressure.

Dopamine