2. Cardiovascular Flashcards
Patients with aortic outflow obstruction from supravalvular aortic stenosis develop LVH and can have exertional angina due to what?
Subendocardial ischemia with increased myocardial OXYGEN DEMAND during exercise.
Can also have coronary artery stenosis
What causes isolated systolic HTN in the elderly?
Increased stiffness or dec elasticity of the arterial wall.
Note: tx = lifestyle modification and primary HTN pharm
What is the best next step in management when an aortic dissection (intense chest and neck pain that radiates to interscapular area and PMH of HTN) is suspected?
Transesophageal echo - excellent sensitivity and specificity for aortic dissection, and is preferred in patients with hemodynamic instability or renal insufficiency
Note: Cr may be elevated and aortic regurg can be seen with aortic dissection
Describe mobitz type I second degree AV block.
Impaired AV node conduction
Increasing PR interval leading to non-conducted P wave and dropped QRS complex.
Mobitz II: PR interval constant with intermittent nonconducted P waves
What is the MCC of isolated AR in young adults?
Congenital bicuspid aortic valve - best heard w/diaphragm along L sternal border at the 3rd and 4th intercostal spaces when sitting up and leaning forward and holding in full expiration.
Describe first degree AV block. Management?
Delayed impulse transmission from the atria to the ventricles –> prolongation of the PR interval on an ECG to more than 200 msec
management - observation
A small pulsatile mass in the groin area is most likely what?
Femoral artery aneurysm
Note: popliteal artery aneurysms are also common and can be assoc with AAA
What can cause SOB, “pounding” heart esp while lying on L side?
Aortic regurg - inc LVEDV, wide pulse pressure, “water hammer” pulse, and LV enlargement. LLD position brings enlarged LV closer to chest wall, causing pounding sensation and inc awareness of heart beat
Patients initially diagnosed with HTN should have a detailed hx and PE. In addition, what 4 basic tests should be performed?
- UA for occult hematuria and urine protein/creatinine ratio
- Chemistry panel
- Lipid panel
- Baseline ECG
What common medication in women can cause hypertension?
OCPs
Discontinuing it can correct HTN in most patients.
Severe hypocalcemia can present how on ECG?
QT-interval prolongation
How do you treat torsades de pointes in hemodynamically stable vs unstable patients?
Stable - IV magnesium sulfate
Unstable - immediate defibrillation
How can you differentiate between peripheral edema due to cardiac vs liver disease by physical exam?
Hepatojugular reflux
Cardiac - elevated JVP and positive hepatojugular reflux.
Liver - reduced or normal JVP and neg hepatojugular reflux
What can present with bilateral midfield lung opacities, and cause serious arrhythmia, cardiomyopathy, HF, and sudden cardiac death?
Cardiac sarcoidosis
What should you suspect in patients with unexplained CHF, proteinuria, and LVH in the absence of hx of HTN?
Amyloid cardiomyopathy (type of restrictive cardiomyopathy) Amyloidosis is a multisystem disease that also manifests with proteinuria, hepatomegaly, pulm nodules, etc.
Elevated BNP and audible 3rd heart sounds are signs of what?
Increased cardiac filling pressures - noted in patients with CHF d/t LV systolic dysfunction
BNP - natriuretic hormone released from ventricular myocytes in response to high ventricular filling pressures and wall stress in patients with CHF.
Acute mediastinitis can occur following cardiac surgery - fever, chest pain, leukocytosis, mediastinal widening on CXR. Management?
Drainage, surgical debridement, prolonged abx
Patients with cardiac myxomas can develop what constitutional, systemic, and cardiovascular sx?
Constitutional: fatigue, fever, wt loss
Systemic embolization: TIA, ischemic stroke, acute embolic arterial occlusion
CV sx: mitral valve disease
How can positive pressure mechanical ventilation cause sudden cardiac death in a patient with hypovolemic shock?
Increases intrathoracic pressure –> acute loss of right ventricular preload and loss of cardiac output
In patients with mitral stenosis, what causes development of atrial fibrillation?
Significant left atrial dilatation
Pulseless electrical activity (PEA) or asystole should be managed how?
uninterrupted CPR and vasopressor therapy to maintain adequate cerebral and coronary perfusion.
Note: defibrillation or synchronized cardioversion has no role in management
What abnormal heart sound can be heard during the acute phase of MIs?
Fourth heart sound (atrial gallop) - due to LV stiffening and dysfunction induced by MI
What are possible early complications of operation on the abdominal aorta (eg AAA repair)?
Bowel ischemia and infarction (1-7% incidence). Presents with abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea
Patient with history and RF for coronary artery disease and Atypical presentation of acute coronary syndrome: abdominal pain, nausea/vomiting should be first tested how?
ECG Other tests (eg abdominal US, amylase, lipase, GI endoscopy) should be done after bc they evaluate less immediately life-threatening conditions.
Acute digoxin toxicity = (GI sx) and possible weakness and confusion
Chronic digoxin toxicity = less severe GI sx but more neuro sx (lethargy) and visual changes.
How does amiodarone, verapamil, quinidine, and propafenone cause digoxin toxicity?
Increase serum levels of digoxin.
What are the guidelines for AAA screening?
USPSTF recommends screening a male active or former smokers aged 65-75 years with a one-time abdominal US to eval for AAA
Dobutamine has what physiologic effects on the heart?
Inotropic agent for B1 receptors and weak B2 and A1 receptors.
Inc contractility –> improved EF, dec LV end SYSTOLIC vol, and improves sx of decomp HF
What is the MCC of pediatric myocarditis (fever, lethargy, signs of HF)?
viruses - tends to occur after a viral prodrome. Monitor in ICU bc risk of acute decompensation and fatal arrhythmias.
Note: acute rheumatic fever can cause myocarditis but is uncommon in kids <3 bc they have fewer epithelial cell attachment sites for strep pharyngitis to occur.
What should you suspect in patients with acute renal failure, livedo reticularis, nausea, abd pain, and history of atherosclerosis and recent coronary angiogram?
Cholesterol emboli
Can occur after recent arteriography or cardiac catheterization
Patients with aortic dissection involving the ascending aorta (type A) can have retrograde extension of the tear resulting in what? Sx include sudden onset of worsening chest pian, hypotension and pulmonary edema
Tear involves aortic valve –> Aortic regurgitation (decrescendo diastolic murmur)
What is the strongest predictor of AAA expansion and rupture?
Active smoking
Note: current indications for operative or endovascular repair include aneurysm size >5.5cm , rapid rate of aneurysm expansion (>0.5cm in 6mo or >1 cm per year), and presence of sx regardless of size
What is the MCC of sudden cardiac arrest int he immediate post-infarction period in patients with acute MI?
Reentrant ventricular arrhythmias
What anatomic site is the most likely origin of afib?
Ectopic foci within the Pulmonary veins
What pharm can help manage hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?
neg inotropic agents (bb, verapamil, disopyramide)
inotrope = agent that modifies the force or speed of contraction of muscles.
AV block in a patient with infective endocarditis is suspicious for what?
Perivalvular abscess extending into the adjacent cardiac conduction tissues.
Aortic valve endocarditis and IV drug abuse are assoc with inc risk of periannular extension of endocarditis
How do you treat vasospastic angina?
CCB (diltiazem/amlodipine)
How can you differentiate tricuspid regurg from other murmurs?
Holosystolic murmur that Inc in intensity with inspiration
IV drug user
How does fibromuscular dysplasia cause headaches and hypertension?
Causes internal carotid artery stenosis and secondary HTN due to renal artery stenosis