Severe asthma is associated with which type of CHF?

Severe asthma is associated with which type of CHF?

• A. Left-sided CHF
• B. Right-sided CHF
• C. Biventricular CHF
• D. None

Answer: (B)

Severe asthma can cause cor pulmonale, a form of right-sided heart failure. Chronic low oxygen levels from lung disease induce hypoxic vasoconstriction in the pulmonary vessels, leading to pulmonary hypertension. The right ventricle then has to work harder to push blood through the lungs, undergoes hypertrophy, and can eventually fail, producing signs of right-sided failure such as edema, hepatomegaly, and JVD. Left-sided failure, by contrast, arises from primary issues with the left ventricle and typically causes pulmonary edema, not the classic consequence of asthma. Biventricular failure isn't the characteristic association with asthma, though it can occur in advanced disease.

Severe asthma can cause cor pulmonale, a form of right-sided heart failure. Chronic low oxygen levels from lung disease induce hypoxic vasoconstriction in the pulmonary vessels, leading to pulmonary hypertension. The right ventricle then has to work harder to push blood through the lungs, undergoes hypertrophy, and can eventually fail, producing signs of right-sided failure such as edema, hepatomegaly, and JVD. Left-sided failure, by contrast, arises from primary issues with the left ventricle and typically causes pulmonary edema, not the classic consequence of asthma. Biventricular failure isn't the characteristic association with asthma, though it can occur in advanced disease.