Cardiac Learning Objectives Flashcards
Be able to describe the presenting features of cardiac failure
- poor weight gain
- tachypnoea / tachycardia
- heart murmur
- poor feeding
- recurrent chest infections
Be able to consider the differential diagnosis of cardiac failure
neonates: hypoplastic L heart, critical aortic valve stenosis
infants: VSD, ASD, large persistent PDA, severe CoA, interruption of aortic arch
older children: eisenmenger syndrome, rheumatic heart disease, cardiomyopathy
Outline the initial management of a child with cardiac failure
- position at a 45 degree angle
- oxygen (except in L-to-R shunt)
- good diet
- diuretics
- captopril
- B-blocker
- digoxin
- prostaglandin (duct dependent)
List the key features that distinguish innocent from pathologic murmur
(5 Ss) innoSent = aSymptomaptic, Soft blowing, Systolic, L Sternal edge
Describe the features of a venous hum
- above R clavicle + over R jugular vv
- disappears on occlusion
- may disappear if pt is supine / turns head
Following CVS examination, be able to diagnose common murmurs
SYSTOLIC: \+ ejection @ ULSE: sASD @ LSE; ToF PANSYSTOLIC: @ apex: pASD & VSD (louder) CONTINUOUS: PDA
List the epidemiology, features and management of common types of acyanotic heart disease e.g. VSD/ASD/AS/PS
left-to-right shunts inc. ASD, VSD & PDA
ASD:
secundum = centre of atrial septum involving foramen ovale
partial / primum = communication between septum & AV valves – can cause regurgitation
VSD:
small (<3mm) = asymptomatic; panystolic murmur @ LLSE
large (>3mm) = heart failure; soft pansystolic / no murmur (if v large), loud P2
PDA (open after 1 month): continuous murmur, bounding / collapsing pulse
Describe the anatomy and murmur characteristics of Atrioventricular Septal Defect (AVSD)
“blue & breathless^
no murmur but diagnosed antenatally / with echo
often associated w/ Down’s
cyanosis @ birth or heart failure at 2-3/52
Outline the presenting features clinically, on ECG and CXR of AVSD
Echo shows wall and valvular defects
ECG shows superior axis
Outline from fetal circulation to later presenting features and the management of Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA).
PDA results in a low diastolic pressure, due to blood flowing back into the pulmonary artery
There may be heart failure presenting as breathlessness
List the key presenting features clinically, on ECG, CXR and echo of VSD/ASD
ASD:
- CXR may show cardiomegaly, enlarged pulmonary arteries and increased pulmonary vascular markings
- ECG
o Secundum ASD partial RBBB with right axis deviation due to RVH
o pAVSD ‘superior’ QRS axis (-ve aVF) occurs because there is a defect close to AVN, so the displaced node conducts to the ventricles superiorly
VSD:
- CXR as in ASD
- ECG = biventricular hypertrophy by 2 months old
Outline the basic medical and surgical management of VSD/ASD.
ASD: Significant ASDs (causes RV dilation) will require treatment undertaken about 3-5yrs old in order to prevent right heart failure and arrhythmias later in life o Secundum ASD = cardiac catherisation with insertion of an occlusion device o pAVSD = surgical correction
VSD:
- Small VSD: these lesions will close spontaneously and is investigated via the disappearance of the murmur = prevention of bacterial endocarditis is also vital using good dental hygiene
- Large VSD
o Manage heart failure = diuretics & captopril
o Additional calorie input
o Surgery 3-6months old
Presenting features and diagnosis of coarctation of the aorta
- common in Turner’s
Clinical features:
o 1st day examination is normal
o Sick baby, with severe heart failure after 48 hours (duct closes)
o Absent femoral pulses
o Severe metabolic acidosis - Cardiomegaly from heart failure and shock may be seen on CXR, but ECG will be normal
Be aware of the association with bicuspid AV and common syndromes
Turner's Marfan's VSD PDA CoA
Be aware of the surgical management for CoA
- Prostaglandins and drugs may be used to manage the heart failure
- Angioplasty +/- stenting may be used to correct the area - sometime open surgery is needed and techniques include resection & anastomoses, a bypass graft or a more tailored reconstructive approach
- Balloon angioplasty only buys time