Cardiac asthma is the medical condition of intermittent wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath that is associated with underlying congestive heart failure (CHF). Symptoms of cardiac asthma are related to the hearts inability to effectively and efficiently pump blood in a CHF patient. This can lead to accumulation of fluid in and around the lungs (pulmonary congestion), disrupting the lungs ability to oxygenate blood.Cardiac asthma carries similar symptoms to bronchial asthma, but is differentiated by lacking inflammatory origin. Because of the similarity in symptoms, diagnosis of cardiac versus bronchial asthma relies on full cardiac workup and pulmonary function testing.Treatment is centered on improving cardiac function, maintaining blood oxygen saturation levels, and stabilizing total body water volume and distribution. Signs and symptoms
The most common findings of cardiac asthma are the presence of wheeze, cough, or shortness of breath (predominantly occurring at night or when laying down) in a patient that possesses signs of congestive heart failure.Additional findings consist of production of frothy or watery sputum and presence of water in the lungs that can be heard via stethoscope. In severe cases, a patient can experience multiple night time episodes of breathlessness, changes in skin coloration, and episodes of bloody sputum. Pathophysiology
The underlying causes for cardiac asthma stem from the eventual back up of fluid into the pulmonary vasculature as a result of the hearts, particularly left sided, inability to effectively and efficiently pump blood.
Pili torti (singular pilus tortus; also known as "twisted hairs") is characterized by short and brittle hairs that appear flattened and twisted when viewed through a microscope. : 638 : 764 This phenotype is noted in Menkes disease and Lichen planopilaris. Pili torti can also occur after use of retinoids, such as isotretinoin. See also
List of cutaneous conditions
Crandall syndrome

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