Cardiac disorders Flashcards
How to calculate ASCVD risk (different factors)
Non modifiable factors: age, gender, ethnicity
Modifiable factors: cholesterol level, blood pressure
Making the hypertension diagnosis
Two or more BP measurements performed at least 1-2 minutes apart
- If elevated, BP reading should be checked again in office in 1-4 weeks to confirm diagnosis
- Can be diagnosed in single visit if evidence of HTN TOD
Symptoms of hypertensive emergency
- Headache
- SOB
- Epistaxis
- Flushing
- Dizziness
- Chest pain
- Hematuria
Important considerations before prescribing ACE inhibitors or ARBs to patients
- Monitor potassium levels (hyperkalemia risk)
- Contraindicated with bilateral renal artery stenosis (risk of acute renal failure)
- Avoid in pregnancy
Dihydropyridine CCB (nifedipine, amlodipine) contraindications
HFrEF
- Monitor for LE and pedal edema
ACC/AHA and JNC-8 target BPs for adults and elderly
Adults
- ACC/AHA - <130/80
- JNC-8 - <140/90
Elderly
- ACC/AHA - <130 systolic in adults 65+ years
- JNC-8 - <150/90 in adults 60+ years
How is postural hypotension defined?
- Fall in BP less than or equal to 20 mmHg systolic
- Less than or equal to 10 mmHg diastolic
- Or both within 3 minutes of standing upright
What is considered a hypertensive emergency?
BP exceeding 180/120 mmHg also associated with new or worsening TOD
- Evidence of new or worsening TOD prompts immediate admittance to ICU and IV antihypertensive medications
- Goal: reduce MAP by no more than 25% within first few minutes to an hour
- Once stable, attain BP of 160/100 within next 2-6 hours
- Normal BP achieved within 24-48 hours
What is acute coronary syndrome (ACS)?
Caused by atherosclerosis; results from imbalance in ability to supply myocardium with sufficient oxygen to meet demands
- Umbrella term for: STEMI, NSTEMI, unstable angina
STEMI vs NSTEMI
STEMI → transmural MI (full thickness necrosis of myocardium in region of MI), Q waves, total occlusion of coronary artery
NSTEMI → non transmural MI, no Q wave, subtotal occlusion
How is myocardial ischemia (MI) commonly described?
- Substernal compression or crush, pressure, tightness, heaviness, cramping, aching sensation, unexplained digestion, belching, epigastric pain
- Radiating pain to neck, jaw, shoulders, back, or one or both arms
- Dyspnea, N/V, diaphoresis
How does a MI present in women?
- Unusual fatigue
- Sleep disturbance
- SOB
- Indigestion
- Anxiety
- Diaphoresis
- Dizziness
- Chest pain or pressure
How would a MI present in geriatric patients (80+ years)?
- Confusion
- Dyspnea
- Cognitive impairment
- Chest pain
MI/ACS diagnostic testing (imaging and labs)
Imaging → ECG; others include chest x-ray, echo, nuclear scan, CT angiogram, coronary angiogram
Labs → troponin (increases rapidly within first 12 hours; remains elevated for 1-2 weeks), CK-MB, BNP
Initial therapy plans for patients presenting with ACS symptoms
- Administer NTG
- Provide supplemental oxygen (determine if adequate SpO2)
- Adequate analgesia with morphine sulfate (if not relieved by NTG)
- Beta blocker
- Aspirin (162 or 325) then maintenance with 81
- 12 lead ECG, collect cardiac marker labs, history
True/false: Clinical significant ST segment elevation dictates reperfusion therapy with the use of thrombolytic therapy, PCI, etc.
True - ST segment elevation >1 mm in contiguous leads
- Indicates acute coronary artery occlusion from thrombosis
- Best effect is therapies used within 6 hours of chest pain onset
How soon with a suspected STEMI or patient presenting with ischemic symptoms should PCI be performed? How long should they be on antiplatelet therapy for?
PCI recommended in presence of STEMI and ischemic symptoms of <12 hours
- After PCI, antiplatelet therapy (aspirin and clopidogrel) should be given for at least 12 months
Absolute contraindications for tPA therapy
- Prior intracranial hemorrhage
- Known structural cerebral vascular lesion (AV malformation)
- Known malignant intracranial neoplasm
- Ischemic stroke within 3 months EXCEPT acute ischemic stroke within 4.5 hours
- Suspected aortic dissection
- Active bleeding or bleeding diathesis (including menses)
- Closed head or facial trauma within 3 months
- Intracranial or intraspinal surgery within 2 months
- Severe uncontrolled HTN (unresponsive to therapy)