Acute Coronary Syndrome Flashcards
Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is an umbrella term for which three conditions?
- Unstable angina (UA)
- Non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI)
- ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)
What does angina refer to?
Chest pain
What is the difference between stable and unstable angina
Stable angina - is chest pain on exertion as the demands of oxygen by the heart increases. Pain goes away at rest.
Unstable angina - is chest pain even at rest.
What is the key characteristic of acute coronary syndrome?
ACS is characteristed by the occlusion or reduction in blood supply through a coronary artery to myocardial tissue
How occluded are the coronary arteries for ST elevation myocardial infaraction (STEMI) to occur?
Total occlusion of a coronary artery
What occludes the coronary arteries in ST elevation myocardial infaraction (STEMI)?
A thrombus
What has to happen for a thrombus to form?
Thrombus is formed when an atherosclerotic plaque rupture
What is the difference between Ischaemia and Infarction?
Ischaemia: refers to the reduction/lack of blood flow to the tissue, which can cause angina type symptoms
Infarction: refers to the cellular changes that can occur as a result of reduced/no perfusion to the tissue.
Define Bundle branch block
Bundle branch block is when electrical impulses travel through the ventricles is slower than is normal because of a block in the coronary arteries.
This causes slower depolarisation of the ventricles.
When a thrombus totally occludes the coronary artery which is the features that may be evident on an ECG?
ST elevation
OR
New left bundle branch block (LBBB)
What are the two key features that are indicative of ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)?
ST elevation on ECG or new LBBB
AND
Rise in troponin levels
When does troponin rise?
Troponin is an indicator of cardiac tissue damage.
Rises when there is ischaemic present
When a thrombus forms in a fast flowing artery it is made up mostly of what?
Platelets.
Hence anti-platelet medications such as aspirin, clopidogrel and ticagrelor are the mainstay of treatment.
How occluded are the coronary arteries for non ST elevation myocardial infaraction (NSTEMI) to occur?
Occurs when there is partial occlusion of a coronary artery causing ischaemia and infarction
What are the ECG changes associated with heart tissue ischaemia?
T waves and/or ST changes
What are the modifiable risk factors associated with the developing of atherosclerosis?
- High cholesterol
- Hypertension
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Obesity
What are the non-modifiable risk factors associated with the developing of atherosclerosis?
- Age
- Family history
- Male sex
- Premature menopause
Fill in the blanks
What are the clinical features of acute coronary syndrome
Symptoms
- Chest pain > 15 minutes: central crushing or pressing pain +/- radiation to neck and/or left arm
- Shortness of breath
- Sweating
- Nausea and vomiting
- Palpitations
Signs
- Pale
- Clammy
- Tachycardia
- Cardiac failure (e.g. pulmonary oedema, hypotension)
Define a silent MI?
This is the presence of an MI without any signs or symptoms
This typically occurs in elderly patients or those with significant co-morbidities e.g. diabetes mellitus
What are the ECG changes associated with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)?
ST segment elevation in leads consistent with an area of ischaemia
ANR / OR
New Left Bundle Branch Block
What are the ECG changes associated with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI)?
ST segment depression in a region
Deep T Wave inversion
Pathological Q Waves
Name the inferior leads of an ECG?
Leads II, III and aVF
What leads are associated with the Anterolateral area of the heart?
Leads:
I
aVL
V3-6
What leads are associated with the anterior aspect of the heart?
Leads V1-4
What leads are associated with the lateral aspect of the heart?
Leads I, aVL, V5-6
What leads are associated with the inferior aspect of the heart?
II, III, aVF
Leads II, III and avF is associated with which kind of MI?
Inferior MI
Leads V1-4 is associated with which kind of MI?
Anteroseptal MI
Leads I, avL and V5-6 are assoicated with which kind of MI?
Lateral MI
Which artery is usually affected in an inferior MI
Typically the right coronary artery that is affected.
Which leads are associated with a Posterior MI
No ST elevation on routine ECG
However may be seen as ST depression
Which artery is usually affected in an Anteroseptal MI
Left anterior descending artery
Which artery is usually affected in an Lateral MI
The left circumflex artery
For Inferior MI which:
a) Artery is affected?
b) Which leads will have the ECG changes present?
a) Right coronary artery
b) Leads II, III and avF
For Anteroseptal MI which:
a) Artery is affected?
b) Which leads will have the ECG changes present?
a) Left anterior descending artery (LAD)
b) V1- V4
For Lateral MI which:
a) Artery is affected?
b) Which leads will have the ECG changes present?
a) Left circumflex artery
b) Leads I, avL, V5 and V6)
Which artery supplies the inferior wall of the heart?
Right coronary artery