BNF - Chapter 2 - Cardiovascular System (Part 2) Flashcards
What is cardiovascular disease (CVD)?
it is a term that describes a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels caused by atherosclerosis and thrombosis, which includes coronary heart disease, stroke, peripheral arterial disease, and aortic disease
Which groups is the risk of CVD greater in?
- Men
- Patients with a family history of CVD
- Certain ethnic backgrounds such as South Asians
- patients aged over 50 years and increases with age
- Patients aged 85 years and over are at high risk
What are some modifiable risk factors of CVD?
- Hypertension
- Abnormal Lipids
- Obesity
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Psychosocial factors such as depression, anxiety and social isolation
- Low physical activity
- Poor diet
- Smoking
- Excessive alcohol intake
Priority for a full formal risk assessment of CVD should be given to which patients?
- patients with an estimated 10-year risk of 10% or more.
After what age should patients have their estimate of CVD risk reviewed on an ongoing basis?
- Patients aged over 40 years
Instead, what does SIGN 2017 recommend on the frequency of CVD risk assessment?
CVD risk assessments are offered at least every 5 years to all patients aged 40 years and over with no history of CVD, familial hypercholesterolaemia, chronic kidney disease or diabetes and who are not receiving treatment to reduce blood pressure or lipids. As well as to patients with a first-degree relative who has premature atherosclerotic CVD or familial dyslipidaemia, regardless of their age.
Is a risk assessment with a calculator required in patients who are at increased or high risk of CVD?
Risk assessment with a calculator is not required in patients who are at increased or high risk of CVD. This includes those with established CVD, chronic kidney disease stage 3 or higher (eGFR <60 mL/minute/1.73 m2), albuminuria, or familial hypercholesterolaemia. In addition to these patients, NICE (2016) do not recommend the use of a risk calculator in patients with other hereditary disorders of lipid metabolism, or type 1 diabetes mellitus. Whereas SIGN (2017) do not recommend the use of a risk calculator in patients with diabetes mellitus aged 40 years and over, and in those aged under 40 years with diabetes mellitus who have either had it for more than 20 years, present with target organ damage (such as proteinuria, albuminuria, proliferative retinopathy, or autonomic neuropathy), or have other significantly elevated cardiovascular risk factors.
What are CVD risk assessment calculators used for?
They are used to predict the approximate likelihood of a cardiovascular event occurring over a given period of time
In which patient may CVD risk be underestimated in?
- patients with additional risk due to conditions or medications that can cause dyslipidaemia (e.g. antipsychotics, corticosteroids, or immunosuppressants).
- Patients who are already taking anti-hypertensives or lipid-regulating drugs or who have recently stopped smoking
Which Risk calculators are used in England and Wales?
QRISK 2 and JBS3
What conditions do these two risk calculators assess?
- CVD risk of coronary heart disease (Angina and myocardial infarction)
- stroke and TIA
What factors are taken into account in the risk calculators?
- Lipid profile
- systolic blood pressure
- Gender
- Age
- Ethnicity
- Smoking status
- BMI
- Chronic kidney disease (stage 4 or above)
- Diabetes mellitus
- Atrial fibrillation
- treated hypertension
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Social deprivation
- family history of premature CVD
What additional info does the updated QRISK 3 include?
It considers additional risk factors such as chronic kidney disease (stage 3 or above), migraine, corticosteroid use, systemic lupus erythematosus, atypical antipsychotics use, severe mental illness, erectile dysfunction, and a measure of systolic blood pressure variability.
What is the advantage of JBS3 calculator?
The JBS3 calculator is not only able to estimate short term (10-year) risk, but also lifetime risk of CVD events.
Which patients may benefit from a JBS3 calculator?
Patients with a 10-year risk of CVD of less than 10% may benefit from an assessment of their lifetime risk using the JBS3 tool, and a discussion on the impact of lifestyle interventions and, if necessary, drug therapy.
What is the ASSIGN cardiovascular risk assessment calculator?
It is tailored to the Scottish population and uses factors such as age, sex, smoking, systolic blood pressure, lipid profile, family history of premature CVD, diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, and social deprivation to estimate cardiovascular risk. Other risk factors not included in this CVD risk assessment calculator (such as ethnicity, BMI, atrial fibrillation, psychological wellbeing, and physical inactivity) should also be taken into account when assessing and managing the patient’s overall CVD risk.
What are all patients at any risk of CVD advised to make?
Should be advised to make lifestyle modifications that may include beneficial changes to diet (such as increasing fruit and vegetable consumption, reducing saturated fat and dietary salt intake), increasing physical exercise, weight management, reducing alcohol consumption, and Smoking cessation.
What often should a review to discuss lifestyle modification, medication adherence and risk factors be done?
An annual review should be considered to discuss lifestyle modification, medication adherence and risk factors. The frequency of review may be tailored to the individual.
Is aspirin recommended for the primary prevention of CVD?
No - Aspirin is not recommended for primary prevention of CVD due to the limited benefit gained versus risk of side-effects such as bleeding.
For Primary prevention what two pharmacological therapy can be used?
- Antihypertensive therapy
- Lipid-lowering therapy
Which patients should be given antihypertensive drugs as primary prevention?
- Antihypertensive drug treatment should be offered to patients who are at high risk of CVD and have a sustained elevated systolic blood pressure over 140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure over 90 mmHg. For
Before starting a lipid-lowering therapy for primary prevention of CVD what factors should be managed first?
All modifiable risk factors, comorbidities and secondary causes of dyslipidaemia (e.g. uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, hepatic disease, nephrotic syndrome, excessive alcohol consumption, and hypothyroidism) should be managed before starting treatment with a statin. Factors such as polypharmacy, frailty, and comorbidities should be taken into account before starting statin therapy.
To which patients is a low dose atorvastatin recommended to start in for primary prevention of CVD?
for patients who have a 10% or greater 10-year risk of developing CVD (using the QRISK2 calculator), and for patients with chronic kidney disease.
- Low-dose atorvastatin should be considered in all patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, and be offered to patients with type 1 diabetes who are either aged over 40 years, have had diabetes for more than 10 years, have established nephropathy, or have other CVD risk factors.
Patients aged 85 years and over may also benefit from low-dose atorvastatin to reduce their risk of non-fatal myocardial infarction. SIGN (2017) recommend low-dose atorvastatin for patients who are considered to be at high risk of CVD and not on dialysis.
How often should patients that are taking statins have a review?
Annual medication review, to discuss medication adherence, lifestyle modifications, CVD risk factors, and non-fasting, non-HDL cholesterol concentration (if testing deemed appropriate)
How long after initiating a statin should total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol concentration be checked?
After 3 months of starting treatment with a high intensity statin
What percent reduction in non-HDL cholesterol concentration should be aimed for?
Aiming for a reduction in non-HDL-cholesterol concentration of greater than 40% is recommended.
If a patient is intolerant to three different statins, then what should be sought?
Specialist advice
When can ezetimibe and bile acid sequestrants such as colestryamine and colestipol be considered for primary prevention?
In patients with an elevated CVD risk in whom statin therapy is contraindicated, and in patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia.
Are fibrates recommended for primary prevention?
NO but there are exceptions - patients with a combination of high CVD risk, marked hypertriglyceridaemia and low HDL-cholesterol concentration
What can be used if cholesterol removes above the target concentration despite other tolerated lipid-lowering therapy in patients at high risk of vascular events?
The use of PCSK9 inhibitors, such as alirocumab and evolocumab should be considered.
For secondary prevention of CVD which antiplatelet therapy should be used?
- Aspirin
- Alternatively, clopidogrel can be considered in patients who are intolerant to aspirin or in whom it is contraindicated
Which antiplatelet therapy is initiated for secondary prevention for stroke and TIA?
- Clopidogrel
- OR dipyridamole with aspirin
To patients who are in sinus rhythm
Which drug therapies are recommended for secondary prevention of CVD?
- Antiplatelet therapy
- Anti-hypertensive therapy
- Lipid-lowering therapy
For secondary prevention is a low or high dose statin offered?
Primary = low dose statin
Secondary = high dose statin (however, a lower dose can be used if patient is at an increased risk of side-effects or drug interactions)
Low dose atorvastatin with patients with established CVD and chronic kidney disease
Why is high dose simvastatin generally avoided?
- Due to the risk of myopathy, unless the patient has been stable on this regimen for at least one year.
a 40% reduction in non-HDL cholesterol or greater is recommended with satin treatment. What recommendation does JBS3 give instead?
A target non-HDL cholesterol concentration below 2.5mmol/L.
What consideration of psychological risk factors should be included when managing secondary prevention of CVD (Lipid-therapy)?
- considered in patients with mood and anxiety disorders and comorbid CVD
- complex patients may require referral to mental health services
- SSRIs should be considered for treatment in patients with depression and coronary heart disease
What is heart failure?
Heart muscle is too weak, so heart cannot pump blood effectively around the rest of the body. So, the rest of the body does not receive the oxygen and supply of blood that it requires to meet its tasks.
Reduced cardiac output
What is heart failure characterised by which symptoms?
- Shortness of breath
- Persistent coughing or wheezing
- ankle swelling
- Reduced exercise tolerance and fatigue
These symptoms may be accompanied by signs such as elevated jugular venous pressure, pulmonary crackles, and pulmonary oedema
Which patients is the risk of heart failure greater in?
- Men
- smokers
- Diabetic patients
- increases with age
What is the most common cause of heart failure?
The most common cause of heart failure is coronary heart disease, however, patients of African or Afro-Caribbean origin are more likely to develop heart failure secondary to hypertension.
In addition to coronary heart disease what other conditions does it tend to co-exist with in patients?
In addition to coronary heart disease, heart failure often co-exists with other co-morbidities such as chronic kidney disease, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, obesity, diabetes mellitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
What are the complications of heart failure?
- Chronic kidney disease
- Atrial fibrillation
- Depression
- Cachexia
- Sexual dysfunction
- sudden cardiac death
What can heart failure be defined as (two types)?
- Reduced ejection fraction
- Preserved ejection fraction
Both conditions present with symptoms of heart failure
Why is it called reduced ejection fraction?
In heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, the left ventricle loses its ability to contract normally and therefore presents with an ejection fraction of less than 40%.
What is the difference in preserved ejection fraction?
In heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, the left ventricle loses its ability to relax normally therefore the ejection fraction is normal or only mildly reduced.
What tool is used to define the progression of chronic heart failure according to severity of symptoms and limitation to physical actvity?
The New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification tool
What non-drug treatment is advised for heart failure?
- make lifestyle changes
- smoking cessation
- reducing alcohol consumption
- increasing physical exercise where appropriate
- weight control
- dietary changes such as increasing fruit and vegetable consumption and reducing saturated fat intake.
What weight gain advice should be given (self-measurement)?
Patients should be encouraged to weigh themselves daily at a set time of day and to report any weight gain of more than 1.5–2.0 kg in 2 days to their GP or heart failure specialist.
Should salt and fluid intake be restricted in heart failure?
No they should only be restricted if these are high and a salt intake of less than 6g per day is advised.
Patients with dilutional hyponatraemia should only restrict their fluid intake.
What important information should patients be counselled on regarding salt substitutes?
Salt substitutes containing potassium should be avoided to reduce the risk of hyperkalaemia
To be able to get implantable cardioverter defibrillators and cardiac resynchronisation therapy what percentage of reduced ejection fraction is required?
Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction less than 35%.
Which drugs should be avoided in patients who have heart failure with reduced ejection fraction?
Rate limiting calcium-channel blockers (verapamil, diltiazem) and short acting dihydropyridines (nifedipine or nicardipine)
These reduce cardiac contractility
Can amlodipine be used in heart failure?
YEs it can be safely used with heart failure and angina
For heart failure with reduced ejection fraction - which choice of diuretics are used when required?
Diuretics are recommended for the relief of breathlessness and oedema in patients with fluid retention.
Loop diuretics such as furosemide, bumetanide, or torasemide are usually the diuretics of choice.
Which patients in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction may thiazide diuretics benefit?
may only be of benefit in patients with mild fluid retention and an eGFR greater than 30 mL/minute/1.73 m2
Which beta-blockers are licensed to be used in heart failure?
- Carvedilol
- Bisoprolol
- Nebivolol
Can ACE inhibitors be used for heart failure?
Yes it is given first line alongside a beta-blocker that is licensed for heart failure
What is first line treatment of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction?
ACE inhibitor with Beta-blocker (licensed one for heart failure)
What if a patient is already taking a beta-blocker from before for example due to hypertension?
- The beta-blocker should be switched to a beta-blocker licensed for heart failure
For chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, is an ACE inhibitor and beta-blocker started at the same time?
Clinical judgement should be used when deciding whether to start an ACE inhibitor or beta blocker first. The additional drug should only be initiated when the patient is stable on their existing treatment. Treatment should be initiated at a low dose and slowly titrated up to the maximum tolerated dose.
Can an ARB be considered if an ACE inhibitor is not suitable/ tolerated?
Yes it can
If first line treatment with ACE and beta blocker is not working for heart failure then what drug should be added next?
Consider adding an aldosterone antagonist such as spironolactone or eplerenone
If a patient is not tolerant to both ACE and ARB then which drug can be considered?
Hydralazine combined with a nitrate under the advice of a heart failure specialist
If symptoms still persist, then advice should be sought from a heart failure specialist to use which drugs?
- Amiodarone
- Digoxin
- Sacubitril with valsartan
- Ivabradine
- Dapagliflozin
Despite optimal treatment, for patients in sinus rhythm which drug can be used as an add-on therapy in worsening or severe heart failure?
- Digoxin
Although digoxin does not reduce mortality, it may decrease symptoms and hospitalisation due to acute exacerbations
Is routine monitoring of serum levels recommended in heart failure?
No
When should anticoagulation be considered in patients with heart failure?
- If they have a history of thromboembolism , left ventricular aneurysm or intracardiac thrombus.
- And they need to be in sinus rhythm
When initiating ACE or ARB which parameters should be monitored?
- Serum potassium and sodium
- renal function
- blood pressure
When on ACE or ARB, how often should blood pressure be checked?
- before starting treatment
- 1-2 weeks after starting treatment
- and at each dose increment
Once the target, or maximum tolerated dose is achieved, treatment should be monitored monthly for 3 months and then at least every 6 months and if the patient becomes acutely unwell.
When initiating a beta-blocker what should be assessed?
- heart rate
- blood pressure and symptom control
Should be assessed before starting treatment and after each dose increment
Who should patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction be treated by?
For the relief of fluid retention symptoms in chronic heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, what strength loop diuretic should be prescriebed?
- A low to medium dose loop diuretic should be prescribed
What is a symptom of advanced heart failure?
- Breathlessness and it may occur even with optimal management and in the absence of clinical pulmonary oedema.
Is long term oxygen therapy recommended in patients with heart failure?
- No although it may be considered in patients with heart failure and additional co-morbidities that would benefit from oxygen therapy such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
When can nebivolol be used for chronic heart failure?
For mild to moderate HF in patients over 75.
What is heart failure with reduced ejection fraction also known as?
Heart failure due to left ventricular systolic dysfunction. (LVSD)
In heart failure combination drug entresto can be used, what drug does this have and when is it used?
The combination of valsartan with sacubitril (Entresto), which is an angiotensin-II receptor blocker + Neprilysin inhibitor is a suitable alternative for patients stabilised on an ACE inhibitor or Angiotensin-II receptor antagonist
In chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction if patients cannot tolerate ACE i or ARB or it is CI, then which drug may be given?
Isosorbide dinitrate + hydralazine but it is poorly tolerated.
This combination may be considered in addition to standard therapy with an ACEI + Beta-blocker in patients who continue to remain asymptomatic particularly in Afro-Caribbean’s
If a patient with heart failure requires a diuretic but has poor renal function (less than 30mls/min/1.73m2) then which type of diuretic is preffered?
Loop diuretic and not thiazide like diuretic
What type of diuretic is Co-flumactone?
A potassium sparing diuretic - An aldosterone antagonist
What drugs is co-flumactone a combination of?
Spironolactone + Hydrochlorothiazide
What type of diuretic is eplerenone?
A potassium sparing diuretic - An aldosterone antagonist
What type of diuretic is spironolactone?
A potassium sparing diuretic - An aldosterone antagonist
What is the mechanism of action of phosphodiesterase type-3 inhibitors and their role in heart failure?
- they exert most of their effect on the myocardium it has positive inotropic properties and vasodilator activity
Give examples of names of drugs that are phosphodiesterase type-2 inhibitors?
- Enoximone
- Milrinone
What class of drug is first choice for treatment of hypercholesterolaemia and moderate hypertriglyceridemia?
Statins
What may Severe hypercholesterolaemia or hypertriglyceridaemia not adequately controlled with a maximal dose of a statin require?
- an additional lipid-regulating drug such as ezetimibe; should be supervised by a specialist
Are statins better at lowering LDL concentrations or triglyceride concentrations?
Statins are better at reducing LDL concentrations
Which drug is better than statins at reducing triglyceride levels?
Fibrates
If triglyceride levels remains high when on statin treatment, then which drug should be added?
Fenofibrate
What is familial hypercholesterolaemia?
FH is an inherited condition that is passed down through families ad is caused by one or more fault genes. It is caused by a genetic mutation that means your liver is unable to remove excess ‘bad’ cholesterol, known as LDL.
Patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia are at high risk of what??
Premature coronary heart disease
What should be offered for familial hypercholesterolaemia?
Life long lipid modifying therapy an advice on lifestyle changes
What is the first lin therapy for familial hypercholesterolemia?
A high-intensity statin, defined as the dose at which a reduction in LDL-cholesterol of greater than 40% is achieved
What should the dose of statin be titrated to?
The dose of the statin should be titrated to achieve a reduction in LDL-cholesterol concentration of greater than 50% from baseline
What drug should be considered in patients with primary heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia who have CI to or are intolerant of statins?
Ezetimibe as monotherapy
When is a combination of statin and ezetimibe recommended?
if the maximum tolerated dose of a statin alone fails to provide adequate control of LDL-cholesterol, or a switch to an alternative statin is being considered.
Can statin and fibrates be given together?
The combination of a statin with a fibrate carries an increased risk of muscle-related side-effects (including rhabdomyolysis) and should be used under specialist supervision.
Can statin be given together with gemfibrozil?
No - he concomitant administration of gemfibrozil with a statin increases the risk of rhabdomyolysis considerably—this combination should not be used.
Which monoclonal antibodies can be used for primary heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia if maximum tolerated lipid-lowering therapy fails?
- Alirocumab and Evolocumab
Which statins are considered high-intensity statins, including the doses?
Atorvastatin - 20mg, 40mg, 80mg
Rosuvastatin - 10mg, 20mg and 40mg
simvastatin - 80mg
Which statins are considered medium-intensity statins, including the doses?
Atorvastatin - 10mg
Fluvastatin - 80mg
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Simvastatin 20mg, 40mg
Which statins are considered low-intensity statins, including the doses?
Fluvastatin - 20mg, 40mg
Pravastatin - 10mg, 20mg
Simvastatin - 10mg
What is the MAO of bile acid sequestrants?
- Bile acid sequestrants act by binding to bile acids, preventing their reabsorption;
- this promotes hepatic conversion of cholesterol into bile acids; the resultant increased LDL-receptor activity of liver cells increases the clearance of LDL-cholesterol from the plasma
Can bile acid sequestrants be used in breastfeeeding?
- can but should be used with caution as although the drugs are not absorbed, they may cause fat-soluble vitamin deficiency on prolonged use.
Give examples of bile acid sequestrants?
- Colesevlam
- Colestipol
- Colestryamine
(HINT- ‘Cole’)
What class of drug does ezetimibe belong to?
Cholesterol absorption inhibitors (Lipid-modifying drugs)
What is the mechanism of action of ezetimibe?
- it inhibits the intestinal absorption of cholesterol. If used alone it has modest effect on lowering LDL-cholesterol, with little effect on the other lipoproteins
What is the MAO of fibrates?
Fibrates act by decreasing serum triglycerides; they have variable effect on LDL-cholesterol.
Give examples of fibrates?
Bezafibrate
Ciprofibrate
Fenofibrate
Gemfibrozil
Can fibrates be used in pregnancy?
No - manufacturers says avoid
Which nicotinic acid derivatives can be used for lipid-modifying therapy?
- Acipimox
- Nicotinic Acid
What is the drug action of statins?
Statins competitively inhibit 3-hydroxy-3-mthylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase, an enzyme in cholesterol synthesis, especially in the liver.
Which side effect should be reported with statins?
Muscle toxicity - likelihood increases with high doses.
What is the differences between myopathy, myositis and rhabdomyolysis?
Myopathy is a general term referring to any disease that affects the muscles that control voluntary movement in the body.
Myositis is the name for a group of rare conditions. The main symptoms are weak, painful or aching muscles. This usually gets worse, slowly over time.
Rhabdomyolysis is the breakdown of muscle tissue that leads to the release of muscle fiber contents into the blood. These substances are harmful to the kidney and often cause kidney damage.
What signs and symptoms should patients look out for who are taking statins that could indicate interstitial lung disease?
- Dyspnoea -(shortness of breath)
- Cough
- Weight loss
When on statins can you get pregnant?
No (discontinue 3 months before attempting to conceive). Decreased synthesis of cholesterol possible affects fetal development