ACS Flashcards
What are the signs and symptoms of acute coronary syndrome?
CV: Palpitations, tachycardia or bradycardia, abnormal BP, weakened/irregular pulse, pericardial friction rub
Pulmonary: Dry cough, SOB, Crackles, JVD, dyspnea, hypoxia
GI: N/V
Neurologic: weakness, cold perspiration, anxiety, restlessness, sense of doom, decreased LOC, unexplained fatigue
Right Coronary artery
- Feeds the RA (SA & AV nodes)
- Feeds RV and inferior LV
If occluded, an inferior wall MI of the LV will occur or a RV MI will occur
Left anterior descending artery (LAD)
- Feeds the anterior wall of LV and the RV
- Feeds the apical wall and anterior 2/3 of septum (Bundle of His)
Occlusion of this artery will cause Anterior wall MI, Septal wall MI (during a bundle block)
Left main coronary artery
Feeds the lateral wall and posterior wall (via the OM)
Occlusion will cause lateral wall MI and/or posterior wall MI
-clot in the left main stops blood flow to the LV, LA, RV
Acute coronary syndrome
Spectrum of acute myocardial ischemia and/or infarction- a continuum with differing severity
Includes:
- Unstable angina (UA)
- Non-ST elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI)
-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI)
*these three are indistinguishable based on s/s
How is chest pain from ACS different from chronic angina?
New-onset angina or rest angina not relieved by NTG or rest; lasts >20min; occurs while at rest or sleeping
Accelerating angina: more severe, prolonged, or easily provoked (worse than baseline)
*chest pain that lasts more than 15-20min and doesn’t improve is an indicative sign of ACS
ACS clinical presentation in women
Fatigue and sleepiness
Dizzy/faint
Hot, flushed,
Numbness in hands or fingers
Pain may be in high chest, throat/jaw, top of shoulders, left breast, between shoulder blades
How does a coronary artery plaque cause an MI?
When the plaque ruptures, platelets and T cells release creating a thrombus on the pre-existing plaque
Vasoconstriction
- to stop platelets form forming, aspirin is used
What causes a coronary artery plaque to rupture?
Inflammation or infection: arterial narrowing causes plaque destabilization or rupture and thrombus formation
Mechanical obstruction: Progressive atherosclerosis after PCI d/t clot formation
Dynamic obstruction: coronary spasm or vasoconstriction
Secondary: underlying CAD and increased myocardial O2 demand (fever, tachycardia, etc.) or decreased supply (hypotension, hypoxemia, anemia)
Why do some patients wake up with chest pain?
Circadian rhythm!
- physical, mental, and behavioral changes follow roughly a 24-hour cycle
-people are hypercoagulable between 0600-1200
What does Lead I view?
Lateral wall of the LV
What does lead II view?
Inferior wall of the LV
-used most for monitoring heart activity
-RCA is involved with SA node
What does lead III view?
Inferior wall of the LV
-straight up towards the left shoulder
What does lead avL view?
Inferior wall of the LV
What does lead avF view?
Lateral wall of the LV
-circumflex is the artery involved