acute coronary syndromes and angina Flashcards
describe the pathogenesis behind acute coronary syndromes
Atherosclerosis:
- damage to endothelium
- lipids infiltrate
- macrophages engulf oxidised lipids and become foam cells
- macrophages release cytokines and inflam process
- smooth muscle cells respond and migrate from media to intima
- Fibrosis occurs around lipids leading to fibrotic cap surrounding lipid core - plaque
Plaque ruptures, platelets aggregate and thrombus forms –> ischaemia
compare STEMI, NSTEMI and angina in terms of pathogenesis, markers and ECG changes
Angina = partial occlusion, no infarction, no troponin
ECG changes = none/ ST depression when symptomatic
NSTEMI = occlusion with only part of myocardial wall infacted, troponin increase
ECG changes = ST depression
STEMI = ischaemia across the full width of the myocardial wall, troponin greatly increased
ECG changes = ST elevation in corresponding leads
what are the signs and symptoms of MI
- Central crushing chest pain which can radiate up neck to jaw and down left arm for >20min, progressively getting worse and not relieved by GTN
- palpitations
- feeling of impending doom / anxiety
- sympathetic drive - sweat, cold/clammy, tachypnoea, tachycardia, pallor, N+V
signs of heart failure
- Breathlessness
- Raised JVP
- crackles
- signs of shock - syncope, hypotension
old people and diabetics can present with back pain or no pain at all
list the non modifiable risk factors in developing MI
- genetic predisposition - familial hyperlipidaemia
- male
- old
- ethnicity
list the modifiable risk factors for developing MI
- Smoking
- T2DM
- hyperlipidaemia
- Hypertension
extra:
obesity, alcohol, stress, lack of exercise
which coronary artery is affected and what section of heart if ST changes are seen in..
a) V1, V2, V3, V4
b) V1, V2
c) I, aVL, V5, V6
d) II, III, aVF
e) aVR and V1
a) anterior (LAD)
b) septal (LAD)
c) left lateral (left circumflex)
d) inferior (RCA)
e) right atrium (RCA)
explain the coronary artery vasculature and describe which regions each vessel supplies
LAD = septum, LV + RV left circumflex = left atria, LV left marginal = LV RCA = RA, RV, SAN/AVN Right marginal = RV
describe in detail ECG changes that can be associated with STEMI
Initially:
tall T wave
ST elevation
Days later: Inverted T flattened R Pathological Q reversal of ST elevation to normal
can also get reciprocal changes (ST depression) in other leads dependant on anastomoses associated features: New LBBB bradycardia heart block
Describe ECG changes seen in NSTEMI
ST Depression
T wave inversion
what defines a pathological Q wave
> 25% of QRS and >1 small square
or >2 small squares
describe the difference between transmural and sub-endocardial myocardial injury
Transmural - full thickness ischaemia and necrosis as seen in STEMI - get ST elevation
Sub-endocardial = partial thickness ischaemia and necrosis - get ST depression
what investigations would you order in someone with suspect ACS?
Bloods - FBC (anaemia), U&E (HyperK+), LFT (baseline for drugs)
Cardiac Troponin levels, CK levels, AST levels, lactate dehydrogenase
ECG - monitor changes in what leads
CXR - complications e.g. pul oedema
Glucose and lipids for risk factors
ECHO - for complications
explain the reason for the following investigations in ACS..
- FBC
- LFT
- Urea and electrolytes
- glucose and lipids
FBC = anaemia
LFT = baseline for drugs (statin), Ticagrelor (antiplatelet) is contraindicated in hepatic impairment
U+E = HyperK+ and other disturbances
glucose and lipids to monitor risk factor levels
what are the markers of myocardial infarction? state when then peak and fall?
Troponin I + T
Rises in the first 3 hours, peaks at 24hours before gradually falling
other markers inc: CK, AST, lactate dehydrogenase
how can troponin distinguish between MI, angina and myocarditis ?
Angina = no troponin MI = lots of troponin rising and falling again quickly myocarditis = low level troponin over long period
what CXR changes may you see with MI?
shadowing over lung if pulmonary oedema present
widened mediastitum
cardiomegaly
describe the emergency treatment for STEMI
ABCDE approach - call help, establish peripheral access
12-lead ECG and take bloods on admission
ROMANCE mnemonic
R = reassure
O = O2 (only give if hypoxic as vasoconstricts if hyperoxic)
M = morphine IV and cyclizine (antiemetic)
A = Aspirin 300mg
N = nitrates (GTN) 2puffs or sublingual tab
C = Clopidogrel
E = enoxaparine (LMWH)
state two options for definitive treatment after STEMI
PCI or thrombolysis
what is PCI?
Access through femoral artery back via aorta to coronary artery
dye injected to see where thrombus is
balloon inflated at area and stent placed in coronary artery to allow the blood flow to pass
Anticoagulants needed for prophylaxis:
- Bivalirudin
- Ticagrelor
- Clopidogrel
what are the complications of PCI?
can detached thrombus leading to emboli
reperfusion arrhythmia (reactive hyperaemia)
bleeding
what is Thrombolysis?
administering drugs which mimic the work of tPa to break down clots
- Alteplase/Reteplase
Converts plasminogen to plasmin
Plasmin can then break down fibrin
what are the indications for thrombolysis
if can be given within 12 hours of the first onset of chest pain + any of:
- > 1mm in 2 consecutive limb leads
- > 2mm in 2 consecutive chest leads
- new LBBB
- posterior infarct