Acute Coronary Syndromes 2 Flashcards
how does ischaemia turn into infarction?
atheroma in vessels, thrombosis can enlarge rapidly to block vessel, plaque surface or platelets detach and travel downstream to block vessels causing infarction
where does infarction occur in the heart?
coronary artery atheroma
where does infarction occur in the limb?
femoral, popliteal arteries
where does infarction occur in the brain?
carotid arteries
what happens when there is a blockage of a blood vessel?
all of the tissue distal to the blockage will be lost and suffer necrosis
what is the strategy for infarction?
reduce tissue loss from necrosis and prevent further episode
how do you reduce tissue loss from necrosis?
open blood flow to ischaemic tissue by thromolysis/angioplasty, bypass obstruction
how do you prevent a further infarction episode?
risk factor management and aspirin
what are short strokes called?
transient ischaemic attacks
what happens due to a stroke?
loss of function depending on brain region involved
what are the symptoms and signs of MI
pain, nausea, pale, sweaty, going to die feeling, silent MIs
what is the effect of an MI
death, functional limitation from reduced cardiac muscle action
what is used for MI diagnosis?
history, ECG findings, biomarkers
what is the primary care for MI?
aim to get patient to hospital alive, analgesia, aspirin and reassurance, basic life support
how does an MI sometimes result in cardiac arrest?
due to an arrhythmia from altered electrical conduction in the heart tissues
