Left Sided Heart Failure Case Study

The type of heart failure that patient A.O. seems to be presenting with is left sided heart failure. The clinical findings in this situation that indicate left sided heart failure are dyspnea and activity intolerance (notes or books). Left sided heart failure can cause problems with the right side of the hear as well which could explain the pedal edema. Other clinical findings that are commonly seen with left sided heart failure are decreased cardiac output and pulmonary congestion. The decreased cardiac output would cause activity intolerance and signs of decreased tissue perfusion (kidneys). The pulmonary congestion would be responsible for causing poor gas exchange and pulmonary edema. Signs that can be seen with pulmonary edema are dyspnea, …show more content…
Lasix would be chosen for this patient because of the edema that she is having. The patient is likely having some pulmonary edema and pedal edema. Lasix would be helpful for this patient because it blocks the reuptake of sodium (Truven Health Analytics Micromedex Solutions, n.d.). By Lasix blocking the reabsorption of salt there is a higher osmolality which decreases the kidney's ability to reabsorb water. Since cardiac output is poor right now with this patient the kidney function is also not up to pair. Lasix would be a good choice for this situation because for a short period of time it can improve renal blood flow.
Digitalis is given to this patient to help improve cardiac contractility. Digitalis can help with calcium uptake, with this increase in calcium the cardiac muscle can work better. Digitalis inhibits sodium-potassium ATPase, with this action increased intracellular sodium happens. When this happens, intracellular calcium is a result. Digitalis also works by reducing sympathetic response and decreased renin-angiotensin system output. Digitalis can be especially helpful with patients that are having elevated left ventricular end-diastolic pressure because it reduces cardiac sympathetic