Right-sided HF vs. Left-sided HF vs. Congestive HF

Classifications of Heart Failure

1. Systolic vs. diastolic
2. High output vs. low output
3. Acute vs. chronic
4. Right sided vs. left sided
5. Forward vs. backward

In this case, we are simply going to talk about Right sided vs. left sided heart failure, and after learning others' research, we will be able to compare these 2 conditions with congestive heart failure. For more info on the other classifications, you may visit: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/535310

Right-sided Heart Failure

Definition: The inability of the right side of the heart to adequately pump venous blood into the pulmonary circulation.

Pathophysiology: Usually due to an abnormality or condition that affects the flow of blood through the right ventricle, causing pressure in the blood vessels to increase and fluid to be forced from the blood vessels into body tissues, as the fluid cannot be pumped to the lungs at an efficient rate, and hence backs up in the veins, leaks out of capillaries and accumulates in tissues.

Causes: Most cases, lung disease, most commonly chronic obstructive lung disease. The right side of the heart suffers increased stress as it pumps blood into a diseased lung. The end result is a large heart (enlargement of the right atrium and ventricle) and fluid backing up in the systemic venous system.

Left-sided heart failure can also cause right-sided heart failure.

Symptoms: Due to the back-up of fluid in the body, swelling, oedema (peripheral), bloating, occasionally abdominal discomfort and ascites (fluid within the abdomen). Dyspnoea in the presence of right heart failure is most commonly due to the underlying lung disease, not the heart failure.

Treatment: Treatment is that of the underlying lung condition, since any improvement in lung function will help relieve stress on the right side of the heart. When hypoxemia is present, oxygen is the best single treatment. Diuretics are also frequently used to help mobilize the excess fluid.

Left-sided Heart Failure

Definition: The inability of the left side of the heart to pump into the systemic circulation.

Pathophysiology: When the left ventricle cannot adequately pump blood out of the left atrium, or when one or more of the heart valves becomes leaky or narrowed (stenotic),blood can "back up" into the lungs. When this occurs, the lungs become congested with fluid (called pulmonary oedema), interfering with the movement of oxygen from the lungs into the bloodstream.

Causes: Often due to primary heart disease, usually of the coronary artery blood vessels or of the left heart valves (aortic or mitral valves). Another common cause of left heart failure is severe high blood pressure.

Symptoms: Back-up behind the left ventricle causes accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary oedema), dyspnoea, fatigue (due to low oxygen).

Treatment: Of underlying heart condition or of hypertension.

Sources:

http://www.heartfailure.org/eng_site/hf.asp
http://heart-disease.health-cares.net/congestive-heart-failure.php
http://www.lakesidepress.com/pulmonary/books/breathe/Sectm.htm