ACS & AMI Flashcards
what does an acute MI result from?
lack of oxygen supply to the working myocardium
what regional infarcts due to?
lack of blood flow occurring when an epicardial artery is blocked by atheroma or thrombus, or other obstructions
when does a heart attack occur?
a heart attack occurs when the flow of blood to the heart is blocked
how is the flow of blood to the heart most often blocked?
by a build-up of fat, cholesterol and other substances, which form a plaque in the arteries that feed the heart
what can the interrupted blood flow result in?
damage or destroying of the heart muscle
how many cases of MI occur annually approximately?
1.5 million
what are the MI characteristic ECG changes?
large peaked T waves
ST elevation
negative T waves
pathologic Q waves develop
how is a diagnosis of MI created?
by integrating the history of the presenting illness and physical examination with ECG findings and cardiac markers
what does a coronary angiogram allow?
visualisation of narrowing or obstructions on the heart vessels, and therapeutic measures can follow immediately
state 3 manifestations which ischaemic complications of MI can lead to
angina
reinfarction
infarct extension
state 5 manifestations mechanical complications of Mi can lead to
heart failure cardiogenic shock mitral valve dysfunction aneurysms cardiac rupture
state 4 manifestations arrhythmic complications of MI can lead to
atrial arrhythmias
ventricular arrhythmias
sinus node dysfunction
atrioventricular node dysfunction
what is thrombolytic therapy?
it is the use of drugs that dissolve blood clots basically
what is the major side effect of thrombolytic therapy?
bleeding
haemorrhage
what is the function of thrombolytic drugs?
they dissolve clots quickly
how do thrombolytics help?
they help to restart blood flow to heart and help to prevent damage to the heart muscle
describe aspirin therapy of MI
aspirin therapy reduces the clumping action of platelets - possibly preventing a heart attack, aspirin interferes with your blood’s clotting action
when can aspirin be used as acute therapy
following:
acute coronary syndrome
thrombotic stroke
Kawasaki’s disease
what does aspirin decrease
mortality and recurrence of cardiovascular events
what are the diagnostic methods of MI
electrocardiograms
blood tests
coronary angiography
what is the treatment of MI
percutaneous coronary intervention
thrombolysis
state the medication for MI
aspirin
nitroglycerin
heparin
what is the use of low dose aspirin
it is a blood thinning medicine and prevents the formation of blood clots
what does low dose aspirin help prevent?
heart attacks and strokes in people at high risk of them
what is a weakness of low dose aspirin?
some people have serious side effects after taking low dose aspirin
what are side effects of low dose aspirin
red, blistered and peeling skin coughing up of blood blood in your urine, faeces or vomit yellow skin or eyes painful joints in the hands
state the role of beta blockers in the prevention of angina
they tend to decrease cardiovascular events
what are ACE inhibitors used for?
secondary prevention of MI
what do ACE inhibitors do?
they prevent the formation of the active peptide, angiotensin II, therefore, they reduce cardiac preload and after load without causing reflex tachycardia
