ULTIMATE CARDIAC CARE
PLANS & PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
GUIDE
CHF • Myocardial Infarction • Atrial Fibrillation
,SECTION 1 — CARDIAC
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
A. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF CHF
(Congestive Heart Failure)
1. What Happens in CHF?
CHF = the heart becomes weak → cannot pump effectively → blood backs up →
organs and tissues are underperfused.
2. Left-Sided CHF (Pulmonary)
Blood backs up into lungs →
• Pulmonary congestion
• Crackles
• Pink frothy sputum
• Dyspnea
• Orthopnea
• S3 heart sound
3. Right-Sided CHF (Systemic)
Blood backs up into body →
• Peripheral edema
• Ascites
• Jugular vein distention
• Hepatomegaly
• Weight gain
• Fatigue
,4. The Heart Tries to Compensate (BAD)
• RAAS activation → fluid retention
• SNS activation → increased HR
• Ventricular hypertrophy
All these make the heart worse over time.
B. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF MI
(Myocardial Infarction)
1. What Happens in MI?
• Coronary artery becomes blocked
• Heart muscle receives no oxygen
• Cells begin to die within 20–40 minutes
• Permanent damage after 4–6 hours
2. Causes
• Atherosclerosis
• Coronary artery spasms
• Clots
• Plaque rupture
3. Major Consequences
• Dead tissue → cannot contract
• Risk for dysrhythmias, heart failure, shock
• Release of troponin into the bloodstream
C. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF ATRIAL
FIBRILLATION (AFIB)
1. What Happens in AFib?
, • Atria quiver instead of contracting
• Blood stagnates → clots form
• Irregular ventricular response
2. Dangers
• Stroke
• Pulmonary embolism
• Low cardiac output
• Hypotension
• Syncope
• Fatigue
SECTION 2 — IMPORTANT CARDIAC
DIAGNOSTIC TESTS
1. Tests for CHF
Test What It Shows
BNP Elevated in heart failure
Chest X-ray Enlarged heart, pulmonary edema
Echocardiogram Ejection fraction (EF) < 40%
ECG Dysrhythmias
Serum Electrolytes K+, Na+, Mg levels
ABGs Hypoxemia, respiratory acidosis
PLANS & PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
GUIDE
CHF • Myocardial Infarction • Atrial Fibrillation
,SECTION 1 — CARDIAC
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
A. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF CHF
(Congestive Heart Failure)
1. What Happens in CHF?
CHF = the heart becomes weak → cannot pump effectively → blood backs up →
organs and tissues are underperfused.
2. Left-Sided CHF (Pulmonary)
Blood backs up into lungs →
• Pulmonary congestion
• Crackles
• Pink frothy sputum
• Dyspnea
• Orthopnea
• S3 heart sound
3. Right-Sided CHF (Systemic)
Blood backs up into body →
• Peripheral edema
• Ascites
• Jugular vein distention
• Hepatomegaly
• Weight gain
• Fatigue
,4. The Heart Tries to Compensate (BAD)
• RAAS activation → fluid retention
• SNS activation → increased HR
• Ventricular hypertrophy
All these make the heart worse over time.
B. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF MI
(Myocardial Infarction)
1. What Happens in MI?
• Coronary artery becomes blocked
• Heart muscle receives no oxygen
• Cells begin to die within 20–40 minutes
• Permanent damage after 4–6 hours
2. Causes
• Atherosclerosis
• Coronary artery spasms
• Clots
• Plaque rupture
3. Major Consequences
• Dead tissue → cannot contract
• Risk for dysrhythmias, heart failure, shock
• Release of troponin into the bloodstream
C. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF ATRIAL
FIBRILLATION (AFIB)
1. What Happens in AFib?
, • Atria quiver instead of contracting
• Blood stagnates → clots form
• Irregular ventricular response
2. Dangers
• Stroke
• Pulmonary embolism
• Low cardiac output
• Hypotension
• Syncope
• Fatigue
SECTION 2 — IMPORTANT CARDIAC
DIAGNOSTIC TESTS
1. Tests for CHF
Test What It Shows
BNP Elevated in heart failure
Chest X-ray Enlarged heart, pulmonary edema
Echocardiogram Ejection fraction (EF) < 40%
ECG Dysrhythmias
Serum Electrolytes K+, Na+, Mg levels
ABGs Hypoxemia, respiratory acidosis
