VERSION WITH COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS \ACTUAL STUDY GUIDE EXAM \LATEST UPDATE
DCM Pathophysiology: Most often both ventricles are what?
Impaired (weakened and damaged)
DCM Pathophysiology: Ventricular dysfunction does what to the LV and RV?
Dysfunction (abnormality or impairment) is limited to the LV and less
commonly to the RV
DCM Pathophysiology: Stroke volume and cardiac output does what and
why?
Stroke volume and cardiac output declines because of impaired myocyte
contractility
DCM Pathophysiology: As cardiomyopathies process the ventricles to
enlarge, over time the mitral and tricuspid valve may what and during
what?
MV and TV may fail to come together and close properly during systole
causing valvular regurgitation
,DCM Pathophysiology: When the MV and TV fail to come together and close
properly during systole causing valvular regurgitation, what three
consequences
does it cause?
1. Excessive volume & pressure on atria's causing them to dilate
2. Regurgitation of blood back in LA decreasing forward stroke volume
into aorta and systemic circulation
3. When regurgitation returns to LV during diastole, a even greater
volume load is presented to dilated LV
DCM Pathophysiology: Cause of DCM Results in what?
Reduced Contractility
DCM Pathophysiology: What does reduced contractility lead to?
Reduced stroke volume
DCM Pathophysiology: Reduced stroke volume leads to (3 things)?
Decreased cardiac output, LV dilatation, and increased ventricular filling
pressures
DCM Pathophysiology: What does decreased cardiac output cause?
Fatigue and weakness
, DCM Pathophysiology: What does LV dilatation cause?
Mitral regurgitation
DCM Pathophysiology: What does increased ventricular filling pressures
cause?
Pulmonic congestion (Dyspnea & Orthopnea & Rales) and Systemic
congestion (Hepatomegaly & Edema & JVD)
What are the clinical findings of DCM (4 things)?
Congestive heart failure, fatigue, lightheadedness, and exertional dyspnea
What diagnostic studies are used for DCM (There's 3)?
EKG, Echocardiography, and cardiac catheterization
What is an EKG used to evaluate for DCM?
Evaluate any arrhythmias most commonly a fib and ventricular tachycardia
What does an echocardiogram of DCM demonstrate?
Demonstrates dilated chambers and regurgitation of MV and TV