45 - cardiac arrest / sudden death , 46 chest pain, 54 - palps Flashcards
Lifestyle factors to prevent cardiac disease
smoking cessation, salt and sat. fat reduction, increase physical activity, weight loss, stress, alcohol consumption reduction.
How do statins work?
Statins inhibit HMG-CoA and reduce the body’s synthesis of cholesterol
When to use statins for prevention
T1/2DM? CKD?
. If lipids 5+, work out cardiovascular risk and see if statins are appropriate.
T1DM: If 40+, 10+ of DM, renal involvement or other CVD factors
T2DM: if 10% risk daily
CKD: If eGFR is 30ml or more but 40% reduction of non-HDL not achieved.
Drugs all Pts post MI
ACE-inhibitor, aspirin, clopidogrel, betablocker and a statin.
Hypertension Mx
A: 55+ or Black Carribbean: Amlopidine
A2: ACE inhibitor or ARB if under 55.
B: Combine the two
C: Add thiazide diuretic.
D: Specialist care.
causes of pulsless arrest
Hs and Ts
Hypoglycaemia Hypvolemia Hypoxia Hydrogen ions Hyper/hypokalemia Hypothermia
Toxins Tamponade Tension pneumothorax Thrombus trauma
Normal ECG
Rythm
rate
axis
Rhythm: sinus
Rate: 60-100bpm
Heart Axis: -30 and 90 degrees
What does the p wave indicate
atrial conduction
What does QRS indicate
ventricular conduction
How long does PQ interval have to be for heart block?
0.2s or 5 small squares
What condition can give very short PQ
WPW
What does QT indicate
speed of ventricular repolarisation
How long QT before classes as prolonged?
450ms / 11 small squares
left / right axis deviation using leads I II and AVF
Left: If +ve in I and –ve in II and aVF
(LEAVING each other)
Right: If –ve in I and aVF is +ve
(REACHING)
What is atherosclerosis?
What are complications?
Arterial wall thickening as it is infiltrated by foam cells (a type of WBC) and cholesterol (LDL).
Eventually smooth muscle proliferation occurs with calcium and other mineral deposits entering the lesion.
Usually asymptomatic for decades until the arteries gradually narrow (stenosis).
The fibrous cap may rupture and produce a thrombus
What is angina
chest pain caused by ischemia from obstruction or spasm of coronaries
What is in GTN spray
Nitroglycerin
What is classes as unstable angina
Any of:
crescendo : worsening
onset at rest
>15 mins
ACS Mx
Sit ‘em up and give oxygen if sats lower than 94%
Obs
12 lead ECG
FBC, U and E, cardiac enzymes,
GTN (if haemodynamically stable)+ IV morphine 2.5mg
Evidence suggests labetalol has better long term outcomes than GTN
Aspirin 300mg
Some ECG changes in MI
ST elevation: STEMI
ST depression. May indicate Posterior MI if no accompanying elevation (reciprocal changes)
T wave inversion
P wave changes (may indicate LV problems, along with SOB)
Q waves indicate scar formation and take time to develop.
Mx of STEMI
Thrombolysis/PCI within 2 hours for best results.
tPa (altepase) , LMWH
Mx of NSTEMI
As with unstable angina.
Aspirin and clopidogrel.
GTN/Beta blocker if haemodynamically stable
Statins.
Angiography (out patient if low risk)
Normal path of heart conduction
SAN -> AVN -> L/R bundle branches and purkinje fibres
ECG features of WPW
Short PR , Broad QRS with a delta wave
Mx of WPW
ablation
What is a stokes adams attack?
fainting due to asystole
Features of stokes adams
Dizzy, angina, SOB
Cause of stokes adams? Mx?
Caused by sarcoid, amyloid, Chagas. Anything scarring the SAN.
Needs a pacemaker.
Types of heartblock
1: PR longer than 0.2 seconds (5 squares)
2: 1: Wenckebach: PR interval progressively lengthens until a dropped QRS resets it
2: 2: Mobitz II: fixed ratio of impulses not propagated. Ie, one in every three.
3: complete. SAN impulse does not pass through to ventricles. P to P and R to R regularity, but PR variability.
ECG changes in brugada
(ST elevation in V1-3 + RBBB
Sudden death syndrome in which conditions
Long QT
brugada
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
What cause premature ventricular contractions?
Are they safe?
Often benign. May be felt as palpitations or skipped beats.
Type of ectopic
[Increased risk of sudden death]
Many causes: drugs, MI, cardiomyopathy, stress, endocrine