Nursing Student Class Projects (Formerly MSN)
Academic Term
Summer 8-2020
Document Type
Project
Course Number
NURS 6810
Course Name
Advanced Pathophysiology for the Advanced Practice Nurse
Professor’s Name
Dr. John Chovan & Dr. Sue Butz
Keywords
Heart Failure with reduced EF, Pathophysiology of heart failure, Physics of heart failure, HFrEF, Left sided heart failure
Subject Categories
Medicine and Health Sciences | Nursing
Abstract
Heart failure (HF) is a complex disease the requires a high-level understanding of pathophysiology and physics. Heart failure is an umbrella term with multiple subsets beneath it. Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction relates to a failing left ventricle with an ejection fraction (EF) of less than 40%. Inability to push fluid forward causes the heart rate to increase, neurohormonal changes and creates a backup of flow into the lungs creating dyspnea. Applied physics plays a large role in understand heart failure. Frank-starling’s curve, Ohm’s, Poiseulle’s and Laplace’s laws all apply to the physiological principles behind preload, afterload, and contractility. Medications continue to improve side effects however the gold standard in treatment is a heart transplant. Nurses need to have a full understanding of hemodynamics, physics, and pathophysiology of heart failure in order to recognize and intervene with deteriorating heart failure conditions. Heart failure is never going to be eradicated; however, the understanding of the disease process, prescribed treatments, and interventions need to continue to improve to save more lives.
Keywords: Heart Failure with Reduced EF, pathophysiology of heart failure, physics in heart failure, HFrEF, Left sided Heart failure
Recommended Citation
Barkalow, Shawn, "Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction" (2020). Nursing Student Class Projects (Formerly MSN). 434.
https://digitalcommons.otterbein.edu/stu_msn/434