Congestive cardiac failure

Sleep apnoea - Congestive cardiac failure Factor

Definition

In the SOP for deep vein thrombosis the RMA has defined congestive cardiac failure as "congestion in the peripheral circulation or congestion of the lungs or both, due to reduced stroke volume".

Symptoms and signs

Cardiac failure results when the heart no longer can work efficiently.  It is characterised by breathlessness and abnormal sodium and water retention.  Common symptoms are shortness of breath on exertion, or at rest, or when lying down, oedema (excessive fluid) of the lower limbs, fatigue and weakness, or confusion.  Increased venous pressure is always present with congestive cardiac failure.

Determining the presence of congestive cardiac failure

The symptoms described above may also be due to several other medical illnesses or injuries, and therefore the diagnosis of cardiac failure should be confirmed by medical advice.  Cardiac failure may also be called congestive cardiac failure, right sided heart failure, left sided heart failure, or pulmonary oedema.  Any type of cardiac failure can be said to be a 'congestive cardiac failure' to some degree.

Last reviewed for CCPS 18 July 2005.

Preliminary questions [28072]

28073 there is some evidence that congestive cardiac failure may be a factor in the development or worsening of the condition under consideration.

220       the veteran has a history of congestive cardiac failure.

8225     the congestive cardiac failure was caused by an illness or injury which is identifiable.

28074  the veteran has established the causal connection between the congestive cardiac failure and VEA service for sleep apnoea.

21323 as a consequence of the identified illness or injury, the veteran had congestive cardiac failure at the time of the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

28075   the veteran has established the causal connection between the congestive cardiac failure and VEA service for the clinical onset of sleep apnoea.

28078  the veteran has established the causal connection between the congestive cardiac failure and operational service for the clinical onset of sleep apnoea.

or

28079  the veteran has established the causal connection between the congestive cardiac failure and eligible service for the clinical onset of sleep apnoea.

or

7334     the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred after the end of the veteran's last period of VEA service.

7335     the condition under consideration permanently worsened.

28076 as a consequence of the identified illness or injury, the veteran had congestive cardiac failure at the time of the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

28077   the veteran has established the causal connection between the congestive cardiac failure and VEA service for the clinical worsening of sleep apnoea.

28080  the veteran has established the causal connection between the congestive cardiac failure and operational service for the clinical worsening of sleep apnoea.

or

28081  the veteran has established the causal connection between the congestive cardiac failure and eligible service for the clinical worsening of sleep apnoea.

Clinical onset and operational service [28078]

1159     the identified illness or injury which caused the congestive cardiac failure is causally related to operational service.

Clinical onset and eligible service [28079]

1163     the identified illness or injury which caused the congestive cardiac failure is causally related to eligible service.

Clinical worsening and operational service [28080]

1159     the identified illness or injury which caused the congestive cardiac failure is causally related to operational service.

28082 the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred prior to that part of operational service to which the identified illness or injury which caused the congestive cardiac failure is causally related.

Clinical worsening and eligible service [28081]

1163     the identified illness or injury which caused the congestive cardiac failure is causally related to eligible service.

28083 the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred prior to that part of eligible service to which the identified illness or injury which caused the congestive cardiac failure is causally related.

 

Source URL: https://clik.dva.gov.au/ccps-medical-research-library/statements-principles/q-z/sleep-apnoea-e017-g4730g4731g4732g/rulebase-sleep-apnoea/congestive-cardiac-failure

Last amended