Your patient is an 86-year-old male with congestive heart failure.He called for help tonight because he cannot breathe and feels like he is "drowning in his own lungs." The patient has had several heart attacks in the past and he tells you his "heart is shot." The patient's cardiac output is likely diminished because:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Congestive heart failure is often characterized by both systolic and diastolic dysfunction, which result in reduced cardiac output. Systolic dysfunction leads to diminished preload, as the heart is not able to fill with as much blood during diastole. Diastolic dysfunction causes reduced contractility, so the heart's ability to pump blood out with force is decreased. Finally, hypertension and other factors can cause an increased afterload, or pressure in the vasculature that the heart must pump against. All of these factors can contribute to reduced cardiac output in congestive heart failure.

Your Patient Is an 86-Year-Old Male with Congestive Heart Failure