1. ACS Flashcards
When a coronary artery gets occluded, all of the myocardium _______ to the blockage becomes ________.
- distal
- ischemic
Why does a fibrous cap form over the plaque?
To prevent blood cells and proteins from interacting with the plaque.
Activated platelets actively circulate throughout body. (T/F)
False: inactivated platelets
Why do platelets clot on plaques?
They “think” the vessel is/ is going to bleed.
In unstable angina, to what degree is the vessel occluded by the thrombus?
incomplete occlusion
A sign of unstable angina is that pain occurs ________.
at rest
What is the difference between unstable angina and NSTEMI?
NSTEMI creates myocardial necrosis which is indicated by elevated troponin levels
What labs are used to diagnose NSTEMI?
- cardiac troponin T or I assay
- creatine kinase myocardial band
Acute myocardial infarction is associated with EKG ___________ elevation.
ST segment
A _______ is caused by total coronary occlusion which causes __________.
- STEMI
- severe necrosis
necrosis spanning the whole muscle
trans-mural
MI severity is proportional to what?
troponin levels
Why is the ST segment elevated in a severe MI?
The ion channels are not functioning properly enough to make a normal action potential. Could be a result of insufficient ATP.
Describe the progression of myocardial tissue necrosis.
- vessel occlusion
- insufficient myocardial profusion
- tissue necrosis
- arrhythmias develop
- ventricular fibrillation
- heart stops
Describe stable angina pain.
- deep, poorly localized chest or arm discomfort
- rarely described as pain: often described as strangling or suffocating feeling
Stable angina pain is associated with what behaviors?
- physical exertion
- emotional stress
What measures should be taken to relieve stable angina pain?
- 5 – 15 minutes of rest
- sublingual nitroglycerin
In a patient with stable angina, worsening or more frequent pain is associated with what?
more extensive ischemia and could lead to MI
Unstable angina is defined as having at least one of these 3 features:
- occurs at rest usually lasting more than 20 minutes (if not interrupted by NG
- definite pain that has not occurred previously
- occurs with an advancing pattern
What pathophysiological processes are responsible for unstable angina?
- plaque rupture with non-occlusive thrombus
- coronary vasoconstriction from vasospasm
- inflammation and/or infection
What are the 3 treatment objectives for UA/NSTEMI?
- stabilize the acute coronary lesion
- treatment of residual ischemia
- long-term secondary prevention
What are the anti-thrombotic therapies for UA/NSTEMI?
- ASA
- heparin
- glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors
- ADP antagonists
Anti-thrombotic therapies reverse existing clots. (T/F)
False: they prevent further thrombosis and allow endogenous fibrinolysis to dissolve the thrombus
Anti-thrombotics are continued long-term for what reason?
reduce the risk of developing future events
What are the anti-ischemic therapies for UA/NSTEMI?
- beta-blockers
- nitrates
- calcium antagonists
How do anti-ischemic therapies treat UA/NSTEMI?
reducing oxygen demand and improving blood flow
After stabilizing the acute event, what atherosclerotic risk factors should be addressed?
- hypercholesterolemia
- HTN
- smoking
Why are ACEIs used in UA/NSTEMI?
- reduce ventricular remodeling after infarction
- prevents further muscle damage
What dose of ASA should be given during CV event?
162 - 325mg chewed
What is the dose range of typical long-term ASA therapy?
75 - 360 mg/day
What are CIs for ASA therapy?
- aspirin allergy
- active bleeding
- known platelet disorder