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Congestive Heart Failure (Part 3. Management)

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a chronic condition where the heart is unable to pump blood effectively, leading to inadequate blood flow to meet the body’s needs. This results in the accumulation of fluid in the lungs, liver, abdomen, and lower extremities. Symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue, swollen legs, and rapid weight gain due to fluid retention.

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General Principles of Hemodynamics

Hemodynamics is the study of blood flow and its governing principles within the cardiovascular system. Blood flows from areas of high pressure to low pressure, driven by the heart’s pumping action, with the highest pressure in the arteries decreasing through capillaries and veins. Cardiac output, the volume of blood pumped by the heart per minute, is determined by heart rate and stroke volume.

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Control of the Coronary Blood Flow

The control of coronary blood flow is essential for meeting the metabolic demands of the heart. It is regulated through a combination of mechanisms including metabolic, myogenic, and neural controls. Metabolically, coronary blood flow increases in response to elevated levels of metabolites like adenosine, which dilate the coronary vessels during heightened cardiac activity. Myogenic control involves the response of coronary vessels to changes in blood pressure, maintaining a consistent flow despite fluctuations.

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Congestive Heart Failure (Part 2) – Labs

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) is a chronic condition where the heart’s ability to pump blood is inadequate to meet the body’s needs. It results from various cardiovascular issues, including coronary artery disease, hypertension, and cardiomyopathy. Key symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue, swelling in the legs, ankles, and abdomen, and persistent coughing or wheezing.

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Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) Part 1

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) is a chronic condition where the heart’s ability to pump blood is inadequate to meet the body’s needs. It results from various cardiovascular issues, including coronary artery disease, hypertension, and cardiomyopathy. Key symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue, swelling in the legs, ankles, and abdomen, and persistent coughing or wheezing.

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Overview of Blood Flow

Blood flow, a critical aspect of cardiovascular physiology, refers to the movement of blood through the circulatory system, delivering oxygen and nutrients to tissues and organs while removing waste products. This flow is driven primarily by the pumping action of the heart and is regulated by various physiological mechanisms to ensure adequate perfusion of tissues.

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Electrocardiogram-Clinical Review

An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is a diagnostic tool that records the electrical activity of the heart over a period of time using electrodes placed on the skin. It is used to detect and monitor heart conditions such as arrhythmias, myocardial infarction (heart attack), and other cardiac abnormalities.

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Ventricular Action Potentials

Ventricular action potentials are electrical impulses generated by the ventricular cells of the heart, crucial for initiating and coordinating the contraction of the ventricles. These action potentials have five distinct phases (0 to 4), each characterized by specific ion movements across the cell membrane.

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