Changes

==== Backward-Congestive Failure  ====

==== Backward-Congestive Failure  ====

Clinical signs are different for each side. In left sided failure signs include dyspnoea and tachypnoea. There may also be lung crackling on ausculatation due to pulmonary oedema and a cough due to left cardiomegaly compressing the left main stem bronchus. In right sided failure there may be jugular distension, hepatomegaly and splenomegaly, ascites, positive Hepato-jugular reflux (Press firmly over the liver and abdomen. A positive test is distension of the jugular vein indicating right sided heart failure.) and pleural effusion.

Clinical signs are different for each side. In left-sided failure signs include dyspnoea and tachypnoea. There may also be pulmonary crackles on ausculatation due to pulmonary oedema and a cough due to left cardiomegaly compressing the left mainstem bronchus. In right-sided failure there may be jugular distension, hepatomegaly and splenomegaly, ascites, positive hepato-jugular reflux (Press firmly over the liver and abdomen. A positive test is distension of the jugular vein indicating right sided heart failure.) and pleural effusion.

== Compensatory Mechanisms  ==

== Compensatory Mechanisms  ==