A 65-year-old male patient is diagnosed with left ventricular failure four month

Question

A 65-year-old male patient is diagnosed with left ventricular failure four months after an acute

myocardial infarction. One of the drugs he has been prescribed is called hydralazine. The doctor

is concerned that, if left untreated, the patient may develop cardiomegaly.

(a) Explain what the myocardial infarction has done to his heart muscle. What are the

subsequent effects on cardiac output? (2 marks)

(b) Where in the body does hydralazine act? (1 mark) Explain the mechanisms by which

hydralazine works (2 full marks will be given for explaining two mechanisms).

(c) Explain how hydralazine can potentially improve stroke volume. (2 marks)

(d) What is cardiomegaly and what are the physiological consequences? (3 marks)

Explanation / Answer

a. Damaging of the heart muscle is known as myocardial infarction. This causes blockage in the blood supply to the heart. Myocardiac infarction leads to reduced cardiac output.

b. Hydralazine is drug used to reduce hypertention or for maintaining the blood pressure. It relaxes the blood vessels and increases the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart.

c. As hydralazine is a vasodilator, it thus improves the stroke volume. It reduces the systemic vascular resistance.

d. Cardiomegaly is a condition in which heart gets enlarged. Heart with cardiomegaly does not pump the blood efficiently. It raises the risk of sudden cardiac death.

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