Acute Medicine Core Conditions Flashcards
What is ACS?
Acute coronary syndrome
What does ACS refer to?
Symptoms resulting from acute myocardial ischaemia. It refers to an NSTEMI, STEMI and unstable angina
ACS is divided into two groups, what are they?
- STEMI
2. NSTEMI and unstable angina
What is the difference between an NSTEMI and unstable angina?
An NSTEMI will have biochemical changes, e.g. raised troponin, whereas unstable angina will not have a rise in enzymes
What is the initial management of ACS?
- All patients with suspected ACS should be placed on ECG monitoring and be an environment with defibrillation capacity
- Give 300mg aspirin and 300mg clopidogrel (though some evidence indicates 600mg loading dose of clopidogrel achieves quicker platelet inhibition)
Why should IM injections be avoided in someone with ACS?
As this would cause a rise in creatinine kinase and there is a risk of bleeding with thrombolysis/anticoagulation
What is the immediate assessment of someone with ACS? (9)
- Rapid examination (to exclude hypotension/identify and treat acute pulmonary oedema)
- Secure IV access
- 12-lead ECG
- High-flow O2 (if sats are low)
- Diamorphine 2.5-10mg IV PRN
- Anti-emetic (metoclopramide 10mg IV)
- GTN spray 2 puffs (unless hypotensive)
- Take bloods - FBC/U&Es, glucose, cardiac enzymes, lipid profile
- Portable CXR (assess cardiac size, pulmonary oedema)
What conditions may mimic the pain of ACS? (7)
- Pericarditis
- Dissecting aortic aneurysm
- Pulmonary embolism
- Oesophageal reflux
- Biliary tract disease
- Perforated peptic ulcer
- Pancreatitis
In addition to ST elevation on an ECG, what other ECG finding is treated exactly the same as a STEMI?
Left bundle branch block
What is the typical presentation of a STEMI? (5)
- Chest pain (similar to angina but greater severity)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sweating
- Breathlessness
- Distress
* the pains may be atypical - epigastric or radiate through to the back
When are people more likely to suffer silent (painless) MIs? (3)
- Diabetic patients
- Elderly patients
- Hypertensive patients
What are the presenting features of a silent STEMI? (5)
- Breathlessness (acute pulmonary oedema)
- Syncope (from arrhythmias)
- Acute confusional states (mania/psychosis)
- Diabetic hyperglycaemic crises
- Hypotension/cardiogenic shock
What treatment is more urgent in patients with STEMI compared to NSTEMI/UA?
Reperfusion (PCI) - all patients with STEMI should be admitted to CCU
What factors are associated with a poor prognosis in people experiencing a STEMI? (7)
- Age >70
- Previous MI
- Anterior MI or RV infarction
- Hypotension at presentation
- DM
- Mitral regurgitation
- Ventricular septal defect
How is a STEMI diagnosed?
- History
- ECG
- Biochemical markers
What height does the ST elevation need to be to fulfil criteria for thrombolysis?
> 2mm in chest leads or >1mm in limb leads
If there is ST elevation in leads V1-V4/5, where has the STEMI occurred?
Anteriorly
If there is ST elevation in leads II, III and aVF, where as the STEMI occurred?
Inferiorly
ST elevation in V5 - V6 and/or I aVL, where has it occurred?
Laterally
ST elevation in II, III aVF, V5-6, where has it occurred?
Inferolateral
Which cardiac troponins are highly sensitive and specific markers of cardiac injury? (2)
TnI and TnT
What are troponins a measure of?
Myocyte damage
What are the causes of raised troponins other than MI? (6)
- Sepsis
- Myocarditis/pericarditis
- PE
- Cardiac failure
- Renal failure
- Stroke
In addition to dual antiplatelets, morphine, nitrates and oxygen, what else is given to patients with a STEMI?
- Beta-blockers - can limit infarct size and reduce mortality
- ACE inhibitors (within first 24 hours of presentation)
What are the contraindications for giving beta-blockers post-STEMI? (4)
- HR <60 or SBP <100mmHg
- Heart failure
- Airway disease
- Large inferior MI involving right ventricle