ACS + MI Flashcards
What is Acute coronary syndrome (ACS)?
encompasses unstable angina, non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).
typically manifests as sudden, new-onset angina, or an increase in the severity of an existing stable angina.
What is Acute coronary syndrome (ACS)?
encompasses unstable angina, non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).
typically manifests as sudden, new-onset angina, or an increase in the severity of an existing stable angina.
Epidemiology of ACS
- STEMI = 5/1000 per annum in UK
- M>F
RFs for ACS
- Age (>65 years of age)
- Male
-
Family history of premature coronary heart disease
Smoking
Diabetes
HT
Obesity
Drugs
Atherosclerotic plaque formation
- Thefirst stageof atherosclerotic plaque formation involves the accumulation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the inner layer of the blood vessel
- Leukocytes adhere to the endotheliumand gain entry into theintima, where they combine with the lipids to becomefoam cells
- Artery remodellingandcalcification, alongside the presence offoam cells, causes atherosclerotic plaques to form
- Rupture of a plaquecauses platelet activation, thrombus formation and coronary artery occlusion. (The thrombus is mainly made up of platelets)
- This results in ischaemia and infarction
What happens in unstable angina and NSTEMI
Occlusion is partial
What happens in STEMI
Occlusion is complete
STEMI, ischaemia is initially just subendocardial, but eventually becomes transmural.
Signs of ACS
- Hypotension or hypertension
- Reduced 4th heart sound
- Signs of heart failure: e.g. increased JVP, oedema; **red flag symptom
- Systolic murmur: if mitral regurgitation or a ventricular septal defect develops
Symptoms of ACS
- Shortness of breath
- Sweating and clamminess
- Nausea and vomiting
- Palpitations
-
Anxiety: often described as a ‘sense of impending doom’
Chest pain
Primary investigations for ACS
First line: ECG - perform every 10 minutes
Troponin:for a STEMI and NSTEMI, troponin levels will begin to elevate 4-6 hours after injury and will remain elevated for roughly 10 days. In unstable angina, there isnoelevation in troponin.
ECGs for ACS
Thyroid function tests
HbA1C and fasting glucose
FBC
U&Es
LFTs
CXR
Immediate management for unstable angina + NSTEMI
Oxygen
Analgesia: Morphine & Sublingual glyceryl nitrate
Dual antiplatelets: Aspirin + Prasugrel, ticagrelor or clopidogrel
Anticoagulation: Fondaparinux + unfractionated heparin
BBs
MONA: Morphine oxygen nitrates aspirin
STEMI immediate management
Oxygen
Analgesia: Morphine & Sublingual glyceryl nitrate
Dual antiplatelets: Aspirin + Prasugrel, ticagrelor or clopidogrel
What is a PCI
first-line method of revascularisation; insertion of a catheter via the radial or femoral artery to open up the blocked vessels using an inflated balloon (angioplasty), and a stent may also be inserted
Symptom onset within 12 hours AND access to PCI within 2 hours for STEMI management
PCI
- Anticoagulation and further antiplatelet therapy
- Unfractionated heparinand aglycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor
- Bivalirudinmay be used as an alternative to unfractionated heparin