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Question

A 50-year gentleman with Type-2 Diabetes mellitus for 5 years presents in medical emergency with sudden onset of dyspnoea at rest, orthopnoea, and prostration. On examination, pulse is rapid and very weak in volume. His blood pressure is 100/70 mmHg.
There are diffuse crepitations at lung bases. What is the most likely diagnosis of his conditions?

The correct answer is
Left heart failure

The patient presents with acute symptoms suggestive of cardiac decompensation. A step-by-step analysis helps identify the most likely cause:

Left Heart Failure Diagnosis Key Indicators

The patient's clinical presentation includes several critical signs:

  • Sudden onset dyspnoea at rest: Difficulty breathing even when not active.
  • Orthopnoea: Dyspnoea worsens when lying flat, requiring the patient to sit up.
  • Prostration: Extreme weakness or exhaustion.
  • Rapid, weak pulse and low blood pressure (100/70 mmHg): Indicates poor cardiac output.
  • Diffuse crepitations at lung bases: Suggests fluid accumulation (pulmonary oedema) in the lungs.
  • History of Type-2 Diabetes: A known risk factor for heart disease.

Justification for Left Heart Failure

The combination of acute dyspnoea, orthopnoea, and lung base crepitations strongly points towards Left Heart Failure. When the left ventricle fails, it cannot effectively pump oxygenated blood to the body. This causes blood to back up into the pulmonary circulation, leading to fluid accumulation in the lungs (pulmonary oedema) and the characteristic symptoms of shortness of breath and difficulty breathing when lying down.

The rapid, weak pulse and low blood pressure further support impaired cardiac function. Diabetes is a significant comorbidity that increases the risk of developing heart failure.

Ruling Out Other Conditions

The presented symptoms are less typical for the other options:

  • Mitral stenosis with bacterial endocarditis: While possible, the acute presentation with predominant pulmonary symptoms is more classic for heart failure than endocarditis, which often involves fever and embolic signs.
  • Right heart failure: Typically causes systemic venous congestion (e.g., leg oedema, JVD), not primarily acute pulmonary oedema.
  • Constrictive pericarditis: Usually has a more gradual onset and distinct physical findings not described here.

Therefore, based on the acute pulmonary congestion signs, Left Heart Failure is the most probable diagnosis.

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Important Questions from Heart Failure

  1. Austin Flint Murmur occurs in:
  2. The therapeutic level of Digoxin in blood is:
  3. Which of the following statements are true about management of acute pulmonary oedema?
    1. Put the patient in relaxed, supine position
    2. Give high flow, high concentration oxygen
    3. Administer Furosemide intravenously
    4. No role of Nitrates
    Select the correct answer using the code given below:
  4. Kussmaul's sign is present in all of the following conditions, EXCEPT:
  5. The treatment of choice for a 32 year old male patient of severe mitral stenosis (Rheumatic) with thickened and calcified valves on echocardiography is:
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