The progressive pathophysiologic relationship between an MI and the development of left ventricular

Mr. T., a 45-year-old black man employed as a midlevel corporate manager, came to the doctor’s office seeking a physical examination. He appeared somewhat overweight. He denied taking any medications or smoking, but admitted drinking alcohol. His father and older brother have hypertension (HTN) and his paternal grandfather experienced a myocardial infarction (MI) and a CVA at a young age. Mr. T. stated, “A year ago at a health fair my cholesterol was tested. I was told later by mail that my cholesterol was 250 and I had to recheck my blood pressure.” His Bp at the time of his examination was 159/94, HR 96, weight 275, height 5’11 in.

Explain the progressive pathophysiologic relationship between an MI and the development of left ventricular (LV) failure.
What factors affect the severity of LV failure?

Full Answer Section

   
  1. Tissue Level: Loss of viable cardiomyocytes reduces the contractile force of the affected myocardial region. This creates regional wall motion abnormalities, impairing the heart's ability to pump blood effectively.
  2. Chamber Level: As a consequence, the left ventricle (LV) enlarges to compensate for the reduced pumping capacity. This compensatory dilatation, however, further stretches the remaining viable muscle, leading to decreased myocardial efficiency and further functional decline.
  3. Systemic Level: The decreased cardiac output from the LV leads to reduced blood flow to the body's organs and tissues. This results in symptoms of LV failure, such as fatigue, shortness of breath, edema, and congestion.

Factors Affecting Severity of LV Failure:

  • Infarct Size: Larger infarcts cause greater loss of contractile tissue, leading to more severe LV dysfunction.
  • Location of Infarct: Damage to specific locations in the LV wall can have a disproportionate impact on pumping function.
  • Pre-existing Cardiovascular Conditions: Conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and valvular disease can worsen LV failure.
  • Timeliness of Treatment: Early intervention with reperfusion therapy (restoring blood flow) can limit infarct size and improve recovery.
  • Lifestyle Factors: Maintaining a healthy weight, controlling blood pressure and cholesterol, and regular exercise can improve LV function and reduce the risk of future events.

Sample Answer

 

Progressive Relationship:

An MI, also known as a heart attack, occurs when a blockage in a coronary artery restricts blood flow to a portion of the heart muscle, leading to oxygen deprivation and cell death. The extent of damage (infarct size) determines the impact on heart function.

Here's the progressive relationship between MI and LV failure:

  1. Cellular Level: Oxygen deprivation within the affected heart muscle cells (cardiomyocytes) disrupts energy production and cellular function. Over time, these cells die and are replaced by scar tissue, which is non-contractile.