Cardiac Flashcards
What is afterload?
The pressure the heart must overcome to eject the blood from its ventricle. (Corresponds to the systolic blood pressure). As afterload increases (the force required to pump blood from the heart) cardiac output decreases.
What is myocardial ischaemia?
When the hearts oxygen and nutrients demand exceeds the amount that can be supplied by the arteries, usually due to stenosis or a build up of plaque. This can result in chest pain and usually occurs during exercise or periods of increased preload or afterload.
Why does GTN help myocardial ischemia?
It reduces cardiac workload. It does this by causing venous dilation and therefor peripheral venous pooling. Venous pooling results in a decrease in pressure in these vessels and therefore decreases venous return, ventricular filling and cardiac out put. This decreased cardiac output causes less work for the heart and therefore less oxygen is required by cardiac tissues.
What is the maximum dose of GTN?
0.8mg (2 sprays) every 2-5 minutes with reassessment of vitals
How does GTN reduce cardiogenic pulmonary oedema?
Venous dilation.
Venous dilation causes peripheral pooling of blood. This reduces the amount of blood returning to the heart from the veins and reduces preload. This then reduces the amount of blood being pumped into the pulmonary blood vessels, decreasing the pressure within them.
How does GTN reduce cardiogenic pulmonary oedema?
Aterial dilation
Dilation of arteries/arterioles reduces total peripheral resistance and therefore afterload. Because peripheral resistance has decreased the heart can more easily eject blood into the systemic circulation decreasing the volume and pressure within the pulmonary vessels.
What are the contraindications of GTN?
Systolic BP of less than 100mmHg
HR of less than 40bpm
HR of greater than 130bpm
What are the contraindications of GTN?
Right ventricular infarct
Poor Perfusion
Dysrhythmia
Erectile dysfunciton
What are the function of platelets (thrombocytes)?
Transport of chemicals important to the clotting process. By releasing enzymes and other factors platelets help initiate and control the clotting process.
The formation of a temporary patch in the walls of damaged blood vessels by clumping together to form a plug.
Active contraction after clot formation had occurred. Platelets contain filaments of actin and myosin. Once the clot has formed these filaments contract to reduce the size of the break in the vessel wall.
What factors are released in response to endothelial damage (to initiate clotting)?
Adrenaline
Serotonin
Thromboxane A2
Platelet activating factor
What does acute coronary syndrome (ACS) refer to?
NSTEMI
STEMI
unstable angina
It is almost always associated with rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque and partial or complete thrombus (blood clot) in the infarct related artery.
How does aspirin work?
Acts on cyclo-oxygenase-1 to reduce the amount of prostaglandins and therefore the amount of throboxane A2 produced. This reduces platelet activation and aggregation.
What is the clinical presentation of myocardial ischaemia?
Chest pain, described as a pressure or heavy sensation. Brought on or made worse by exertion.
Who are at risk of a silent MI?
Diabetics and the elderly.
May present with shortness of breath, fatigue, weakness, non-specific unwellness or light headedness.
What dose of aspirin do we give for MI?
300mg once
chewable
do not dissolve in water.
What is the P wave?
Represents the depolarisation of the atria.
What is the PR interval?
Measured from the beginning of the P wave to the beginning of the QRS complex. Normal PR interval is 0.12-0.20 seconds.