CVS

CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE

• Progressive condition

• Damage to one or both ventricles affects ability to maintain cardiac output

Pulmonary oedema is a cardinal sign of CHF, involving, primarily, the left ventricle. Use your understanding of Starling’s principle of fluid exchange to suggest how left ventricle failure leads to pulmonary oedema.

• Less blood pumped out of the heart ∴ less cardiac output

• Accumulation of fluid in the lung area ∴ hydrostatic pressure in vessels increases

• More fluid released from the vessels, causing pulmonary oedema.

Peripheral oedema (eg. legs, feet) is often present with right or biventricular failure. Explain. 

• Right ventricle cannot pump efficiently to the lungs ∴ reduced volume…