Aquifer 1 - Chest Pain Flashcards
List five broad categories of potential causes of chest pain.
Cardiac GI Pulmonary Musculoskeletal Psychogenic
Name 5 cardiac etiologies of chest pain
Angina: stable, unstable, or atypical / variant (eg Prinzmetal’s)
Acute MI
Cocaine-induced
Pericarditis
Aortic dissection
Valvular heart disease
Arrythmia
Name 4 GI etiologies of chest pain
Esophageal disease (GERD, esophagitis, esophageal dysmotility)
Biliary disease (cholecystitis, cholangitis – typically RUQ with radiation to shoulder, may be referred to chest)
Peptic ulcer disease
Pancreatitis
Name 6 pulmonary etiologies of chest pain
Pneumonia Spontaneous pneumothorax Pleuritis Pulmonary embolism Pulmonary hypertension/cor pulmonale Pleural effusion
Name 5 MSK/neuro etiologies of chest pain
Costochondritis Rib fracture Myofascial pain syndromes Muscular strain Herpes zoster
Name 3 psychiatric etiologies of chest pain
Panic disorders
Hyperventilation
Somatoform disorders
What is the management of possible acute coronary syndrome?
Aspirin
ECG
Troponins
What is acute coronary syndrome?
Any group of Sx consistent with acute myocardial ischemia
So, MI (STEMI or NSTEMI) or unstable angina
In what proportion of patients may an initial ECG be non-diagnostic? What is done as a result?
Half
Serial ECGs
When should cardiac biomarkers be done?
Initial workup
If negative, also at 6h
If negative, also at 12h
Why are troponins particularly good biomarkers?
Very sensitive for MI within last 24h
In which ACS patients would supplemental oxygen be given?
NSTE-ACS and one of:
- arterial oxygen saturation less than 90%
- respiratory distress
- other high-risk features of hypoxemia.
What are the STEEEP goals for medicine?
Safe, Timely, Effective, Efficient, Equitable, and Patient-Centered
What history should be elicited from patients with suspected ACS?
Assoc Sx: nausea, diaphoresis, SOB
Cardiac risk factors
Distinguish ischemic from non-ischemic pain
Remember ACS can present with atypical Sx
Name 5 cardiac risk factors (7 listed)
Smoking HTN Dyslipidemia DM PMHx or FHx of CAD peripheral arterial disease stroke
Name 5 symptoms commonly associated with ACS
SOB diaphoresis Belching, nausea, indigestion dizziness, syncope weakness, fatigue
What proportion of patients who come to the ED with an MI have the “classic” severe substernal chest pressure.?
25%
Name 5 terms pt often use to describe cardiac chest pain (many listed)
Squeezing tightness pressure crushing constriction strangling burning heart burn fullness band-like sensation knot in chest lump in throat heavy weight on chest like a bra too tight
What are the features of cardiac chest pain?
Diffuse discomfort, difficult to localize; not one specific spot
Radiation: shoulders, arms, neck & throat, lower jaw & teeth (not upper jaw), epigastrium, sometimes back
Exertional; relieved by rest or nitro
What components of the physical exam are important for acute chest pain?
Vital signs for tachycardia, hypotension, or hypertension.
Cardiac exam for murmur, S3 or S4 gallop, auscultation and palpation of pulses.
Chest pain and pericardial rub suggest ….
Pericarditis
Chest pain and lung crackles suggest …
heart failure
Chest pain and fever, crackles, and decreased breath sounds suggest …
pneumonia
Chest pain and unilateral leg swelling and/or tenderness suggest …
DVT/PE
Chest pain and RUQ tenderness suggest …
acute cholecystitis
Chest pain and epigastric discomfort on palpation suggest …
GERD
Chest pain and chest wall tenderness suggest …
trauma, costochondritis, and other muscular causes of chest pain
Could also be ACS
Chest pain and Pulse and BP differential from side to side suggest …
significant peripheral arterial obstruction - including aortic dissection!
Chest pain and diastolic heart murmur suggest …
Aortic dissection
Refresh: Guidelines for good summary statements
1) Include accurate information and not include misleading information.
2) Facilitate understanding of the primary problem and appropriately narrow the differential diagnosis through the inclusion of pertinent key features. (The aim is to frame understanding of the primary problem rather than to report all information indiscriminately.)
3) Express key findings in qualified medical terminology (e.g., heart rate of 180 beats/minute is tachycardia); synthesize details into unifying medical concepts (e.g., retractions + hypoxia + wheezing = respiratory distress).
4) Use qualitative terms that are more abstract than patient’s signs; these are often binary in nature (e.g., acute vs. chronic; constant vs. intermittent).
What is the pretest probability for CAD in a patient who is male in his late 40’s presenting with exertional substernal chest pain
over 90%
What proportion of pt with PE have abnormal ECG?
70%
Two most common abnormalities are nonspecific: sinus tachycardia and nonspecific ST and T-wave changes
What uncommon findings on ECG suggest PE?
S1Q3T3 (S wave in lead one, Q wave in lead three and inverted T-wave in lead three)
transient right bundle branch block
T-wave inversions in V1-V4.
What is stable angina?
symptoms have been occurring chronically and are predictable with exertion. It is thought to be caused by a stable atherosclerotic plaque.
predictable pattern of chest discomfort that usually occurs with exertion or extreme emotion. It is relieved by rest or nitroglycerin in less than 5-10 minutes.
What is unstable angina?
chest pain occurs at rest, is new, is increasing in frequency, or when its onset is triggered with a lower level of exertion.
Caused by an unstable plaque that has ruptured and caused a non-occlusive thrombus.
Unstable angina is an acute coronary syndrome (along with non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction and ST segment elevation myocardial infarction) and requires emergency care.
What is acute MI?
results from rupture of an unstable plaque with subsequent occlusive coronary artery thrombosis and myocardial necrosis.
How is MI differentiated from unstable angina?
Based on whether troponins increase
No troponin increase = no MI
What are the criteria for acute MI?
Rise and fall of troponin or creatine kinase myocardial band (CK-MB) plus ONE of the following:
- Symptoms consistent with myocardial ischemia
- Electrocardiogram changes indicating myocardial ischemia (ST-segment elevation or depression)
- New pathologic Q waves
- Findings on percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)
What is a STEMI?
acute MI in which the ST segment on the ECG shows elevation typical of myocardial ischemia.
When should STEMI be suspected / triaged?
Any patient who presents with a clinical history consistent with acute MI and has a new left-bundle branch block should be triaged as ST-elevation MI (STEMI).
What is the active management of unstable angina?
SL nitroglycerin Beta blocker Aspirin Heparin Angiography with PCI Statin (high intensity)