CARDIO Flashcards
Define atherosclerosis
Build up of plaque in the intima of an artery
What can an atherosclerotic plaque cause?
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Gangrene
what are the risk factors for atherosclerosis?
- Family history
- Increasing age
- Smoking
- High serum cholesterol (LDL)
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
What are the constituents of an atheromatous plaque?
Lipid core
Necrotic debris
Connective tissue surrounded by foam cells
Fibrous cap
Lymphocytes
In which arteries would you most likely find an atheromatous plaque?
Peripheral and coronary arteries - circumflex, LAD and RCA
Focal distribution along the length
What histological layer of the artery may be thinned by an atheromatous plaque?
Media
What is the precursor for atherosclerosis?
Fatty streaks
What can cause chemoattractant release?
Endothelial cell injury
What is the function of chemoattractants?
Signal leukocytes and produce a concentration gradient
What is the function of leukocytes?
Leukocytes accumulate and migrate into vessel walls and release cytokines leading to inflammation
What inflammatory cytokines are found in plaques?
IL-1
IL-6
IFN-gamma
Describe the process of leukocyte recruitment
- Capture
- Rolling
- Slow rolling
- Adhesion
- Transmigration
What types of molecules are present during leukocyte recruitment?
- Chemoattractants
- Selectins (1-3)
- Integrins (3-5)
Describe the 5 steps of progression of atherosclerosis
- Fatty streaks
- Intermediate lesions
- Fibrous plaque/advanced lesions
- Plaque rupture
- Plaque erosion
At what age do fatty streaks begin to appear?
< 10 years old
What are the constituents of fatty streaks?
Foam cells and T lymphocytes within the intimal layer of the vessel wall
What are the constituents of intermediate lesions?
Foam cells
Smooth muscle cells
T lymphocytes
Platelet adhesion and aggregation
Extracellular lipid pools
What are the constituents of fibrous plaques?
Fibrous cap overlies lipid core and necrotic debris
Smooth muscle cells
Macrophages
Foam cells
T lymphocytes
What are fibrous plaques able to do?
Impede blood flow and they are prone to rupture
Why might a plaque rupture?
Fibrous plaques are constantly growing and receding
Fibrous cap has to be resorbed and redeposited in order to be maintained
If balance is shifted in favour of inflammatory condition, the cap becomes weak and the plaque ruptures
Thrombus formation and vessel occlusion
What the primary treatment for atherosclerosis?
Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI)
What is the major limitation of PCI?
Restenosis
How can restenosis be avoided following PCI?
Drug eluting stents –> anti-proliferative and drugs that inhibit healing
What drugs can patients be started on following a PCI?
Aspirin - antiplatelet
Clopidogrel/Ticagrelor - inhibit P2Y12 ADP receptors on platelets
Statins - cholesterol lowering
Anti-inflammatory drugs - Colchicine, canakinumab
What is the key principle behind pathogenesis of atherosclerosis?
It is an inflammatory process
Define atherogenesis
The development of an atherosclerotic plaque
Define angina
Type of ischaemic heart disease
It is a symptom of O2 supply/demand mismatch to the heart
What is the most common cause of angina?
Narrowing of the coronary arteries due to atherosclerosis
Give 5 possible causes of angina
- atheroma/stenosis of coronary arteries
- valvular disease
- aortic stenosis
- arrhythmia
- anaemia
How reduced does the diameter of an artery need to be before symptoms occur?
Diameter has to fall below 70%
Name 3 types of angina
- Stable angina
- Unstable angina
- Prinzmetal’s angina
Name 3 non-modifiable risk factors for angina
- Increasing age
- Family history
- Gender - Male
- ethnicity - south Asian
Give 5 modifiable risk factors for angina
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Hypercholesterolaemia
- Sedentary lifestyle/obesity
- Stress
- alcohol
Name 3 exacerbating factors for angina that effect the supply of O2
- Anaemia
- Hypoxaemia
- Polycythaemia
- Hypothermia
- Hyper/hypovolaemia
Name 3 exacerbating factors for angina that effect the demand of O2
- Hypertension
- Tachyarrhythmia
- Valvular heart disease
- Hyperthyroidism
- Cold weather
- Heavy meals
- Emotional stress
Briefly describe the pathophysiology of angina that results from atherosclerosis
On exertion there is increase O2 demand
Coronary blood flow is obstructed by an atherosclerotic plaque –> myocardial ischaemia –> angina
Briefly describe the pathophysiology of angina the results from anaemia
On exertion there is increased O2 demand
In someone with anaemia there is reduced O2 transport –> myocardial ischaemia –> angina
Briefly describe the pathophysiology of Prinzmetal’s angina
Occurs due to coronary artery spasm
Name 3 differential diagnoses for angina
- Pericarditis/myocarditis
- PE
- Chest infection
- Dissection of aorta
- GORD
How would you describe the chest pain in angina?
Crushing central chest pain that is heavy and tight - angina pectoris
What 3 things are used to assess whether it is typical angina, atypical pain or non-anginal pain?
- Have central, tight, radiation to arms, jaw and neck
- Precipitated by exertion
- Relieved by rest or GTN spray
3/3 = Typical angina
2/3 = Atypical pain
1/3 = Non-anginal pain
Give the clinical presentation of angina
- Crushing central chest pain
- Pain is relieved with rest or GTM spray
- Pain is provoked by physical exertion
- Pain may radiate to arms, neck or jaw
- Dyspnoea
- Nausea
What investigations might you do in someone you suspect to have angina?
- ECG - usually normal, sometimes ST depression, flat or inverted T waves
- Echocardiography
- CT angiography - high NPV and good at excluding disease (gold standard)
- Exercise tolerance test - induces ischaemia
- Invasive angiogram - tells you FFR (pressure gradient across stenosis)
- SPECT - radio labelled tracer taken up by metabolising tissues
How can angina be reversed?
Resting - reducing myocardial demand
Describe the primary prevention for angina
- Modify risk factors
- Treat underlying causes
- Low dose aspirin
Describe the secondary prevention of angina
- Modify risk facotrs
- Pharmacological therapies for symptom relief and to reduce the risk of CV events
- Interventional therapies (e.g. PCI)
Name 3 symptom reliving pharmacological therapies the might be used in someone with angina
- Beta blockers (e.g. atenolol, propranolol, bisoprolol)
- Nitrates (e.g. GTN spray)
- Calcium channel blockers (e.g. verapamil)
other medications include statins and aspirin
Describe the action of beta blockers
Beta 1 specific
Antagonise sympathetic activation and so are negatively chronotropic and inotropic
Myocardial work is reduced and so is myocardial demand = symptom relief
Give 3 side effects of beta blockers
- Bradycardia
- Tiredness
- Erectile dysfunction
- Cold peripheries
- nightmares
When might beta blockers be contraindicated?
DO NOT GIVE in asthma, heart failure/heart block, hypotension
and bradyarrhythmia
Describe the action of nitrates
Venodilators
Reduce venous return –> reduced preload –> reduced myocardial work and myocardial demand
Describe the action of Calcium channel blockers
Arterodilators
Reduce BP –> Reduce afterload –> reduced myocardial demand
What drugs that might be use in someone with angina or in someone at risk of angina to improve prognosis?
- Aspirin
- Clopidogrel - antiplatelet
- Atovostatin - Statin
- ACEi - ramipril
How does aspirin work?
Antiplatelet
Irreversibly inhibits COX –> reduced thromboxane 2 synthesis –> platelet aggregation reduced
What is a caution when prescribing aspirin?
Gastric ulceration
How does clopidogrel work?
Antiplatelet
P2Y12 inhibitor –> prevents platelet activation
What are statins used for?
To reduce the amount of LDL in the blood
What is revascularisation?
Used to restore coronary artery and increase blood flow
Name 2 types of revascularisation
- Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)
- Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)
Give the pros and cons of PCI
ADVANTAGES
1. Less invasive
2. Convenient and acceptable
3. short recovery and repeatable
DISADVANTAGES
1. High risk of restenosis
2. not good for complex disease
3. risk of stent thrombosis
what are the pros and cons of CABG?
ADVANTAGES
1. Good prognosis after surgery
2. deals with complex disease
DISADVANTAGES
1. Very invasive
2. Long recovery time
3. risk of stroke or bleeding
Name 2 complications of angina
- Acute coronary syndromes
- Congestive cardiac failure
- Conduction disease
- Arrhythmia
What are acute coronary syndromes?
Encompasses a spectrum of acute cardiac conditions from unstable angina, NSTEMI and STEMI
What is the common cause of ACS?
Rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque and subsequent arterial thrombosis
What are uncommon causes of ACS?
- Coronary vasospasm
- Drug abuse
- Coronary artery dissection
- Thoracic aortic dissection
Briefly describe the pathophysiology of ACS
- Rupture/erosion of fibrous cap on plaque leading to platelet aggregation and thrombus formation
- In unstable angina the plaque has a necrotic centre and ulcerated cap and the thrombus results in partial occlusion
- In MI the plaque has a necrotic centre and the thrombus results in total occlusion
Describe type 1 MI
Spontaneous MI with ischaemia due to a primary coronary event
e.g. plaque erosion/rupture, fissuring or dissection
Describe type 2 MI
MI secondary to ischaemia due to increased O2 demand or
decreased supply such as in coronary spasm, coronary
embolism, anaemia, arrhythmias, hypertension or
hypotension
What is troponin a marker for?
Cardiac muscle injury
Why do you see increased serum troponin in NSTEMI and STEMI?
The occluding thrombus causes necrosis of cells and so myocardial damage causing troponin to be raised
Give 3 signs of unstable angina
- Cardiac chest pain at rest
- Cardiac chest pain with crescendo pattern
- No significant rise in troponin
Give 4 symptoms of MI
- Unremitting and usually severe central cardiac chest pain
- Pain occurs at rest
- Sweating, pale, grey
- Breathlessness
- Nausea and vomiting
Give 3 signs of MI
- Hypo/hypertension
- 3rd/4th heart sound
- Signs of congestive heart failure
- Ejection systolic murmur
Name 3 possible differential diagnoses of MI
- Pericarditis
- Stable angina
- Aortic dissection
- GORD
- Pneumothorax
What investigations would you do on someone you suspect to have ACS?
- ECG
- Blood tests - troponin levels and rule out anaemia
- Coronary angiography
- Cardiac monitoring for arrhythmias
- Chest x-ray
What might the ECG of someone with unstable angina show?
May be normal, or might show T wave inversion and ST depression
What might the ECG of someone with NSTEMI show?
May be normal or might show T wave inversions and ST depression
Might also be R wave regression, ST elevation and biphasic T wave in lead V3
What might the ECG of someone with STEMI show?
ST elevation in the anterolateral leads
After a few hours, T waves inlet and deep, broad, pathological Q waves develop
What would the serum troponin level be like in someone with unstable angina?
Normal
What would the serum troponin level be like in someone with NSTEMI/STEMI?
Significantly raised - troponin I and T
A raised troponin is not specific for ACS. In what other conditions might you see a raised troponin?
- Gram negative sepsis
- PE
- Myocarditis
- Heart failure
- Arrhythmias
Describe the initial management of ACS
MONA
M = morphine
O = oxygen (high flow)
N = nitrate (GTN spray)
A = aspirin 300mg (+clopidogrel 300mg/Ticagrelor 180mg if not high bleeding risk)
1st line = PCI within 12 hours and available
2nd line = thrombolysis (alteplase, streptokinase, retenase)
What is the treatment of choice for STEMI?
PCI within 120 minutes
if not, fibrinolysis - alteplase, streptokinase
What is the function of P2Y12?
It amplifies platelet activation
Give 2 potential side effect of P2Y12 inhibitors
- Bleeding
- Rash
- GI disturbances - ulceration
Describe the secondary prevention therapy for people after having a STEMI
- dual antiplatelet therapy - ASPIRIN and CLOPIDOGREL
- Statins - ATORVASTATIN
- beta-blocker PROPRANOLOL or CCB (verapamil) if BB are contraindicated
- ACE inhibitor - RAMIPRIL
What is involved in antithrombotic therapy?
Dual antiplatelet therapy = aspirin and clopidogrel
Anticoagulant = heparin
Give 5 potential complications of MI
- sudden death
- arrhythmias
- persistent pain
- heart failure
- mitral incompetence
- pericarditis
- cardiac rupture
- aneurysm
what conditions can be caused by a previous MI?
- Shock
- Heart failure
- Pericarditis
What is a DVT?
Blood clot within a blood vessel of the lower limb
What are the clinical features of DVT?
may be asymptomatic
pain in calf, often swollen, red, warm
tenderness
What are the causes of DVT?
- surgery
- immobility
- leg fracture
- oral contraceptive
- long haul flights
- malignancy
- genetic
- factor V leiden,
- antithrombin deficiency,
- protein c or s deficiency
- acquired - anti-phospholipid syndrome, lupus
What investigations might be done in order to diagnose a DVT?
- D-dimer (blood test) - look for fibrin breakdown products –> normal excludes DVT diagnosis (abnormal does NOT confirm)
- Ultrasound compression test of proximal veins - if you can’t squash the vein = clot
- doppler ultrasound
- venography
What is the treatment for DVT?
- LMW heparin
- Oral warfarin or direct acting oral anticoagulant (DOAC)
- Compression stockings
- Treat the underlying cause (e.g. malignancy or thrombophilia)
Name the types of DVT
- Spontaneous
- Provoked - incidence of recurrence is low if you remove the stimulus
Give 5 risk factors for DVT
- increased age
- pregnancy, OC
- trauma, surgery
- past DVT
- cancer
- obesity
- immobility
How can DVTs and PEs be prevented?
- Hydration
- Early mobilisation
- Compression sticking/pumps
- Low dose LMW heparin
What is low risk thromboprophylaxis treatment?
< 40 years
Surgery < 30 mins
Early mobilisation and hydration
No chemical
TED if surgical
What is high risk thromboprophylaxis?
Hip, knee, pelvis, malignancy, risk factors, prolonged immobility
All immobile medical, many surgical - Dalteparin s/c od
What might be the consequence of a dislodged DVT?
Pulmonary embolism
what are the clinical features of PE?
SYMPTOMS
1. Breathlessness
2. Pleuritic chest pain
3. signs/symptoms of DVT
SIGNS
1. Tachycardia
2. Tachypnoea
3. pleural rub
What investigations might be done to diagnose a patient with PE?
- ECG sinus tachycardia - to exclude cardiac cause
- Blood gases - to exclude respiratory causes
- D-dimer - normal excludes diagnosis
- CTPA spiral with contrast - gaps in dye if PE has occurred
- Ventilation/perfusion scan (used in pregnancy)
What is the treatment for a PE?
- LMW heparin,
- oral warfarin for 6 months
- DOAC - for outpatient with a relatively minor PE
- Treat cause if possible
- surgery for massive clot - embolectomy
If a patient can not be placed on anticoagulation following a PE, what alternative treatment should be considered?
IVC filter - prevents more clot travelling from the leg to the lungs
Define thrombosis
Blood coagulation inside a vessel
How would you describe an arterial thrombus?
Platelet rich (a ‘white thrombosis’)
How would you describe a venous thrombosis?
Fibrin rich (a ‘red thrombosis’)
What are the potential consequences of an arterial thrombosis?
- Coronary circulation = MI
- Cerebral circulation = Stroke
- Peripheral circulation = Peripheral vascular disease (e.g. gangrene)
What investigations would you do to diagnose an arterial thrombosis?
MI = history, ECG, cardiac enzymes
Stoke = History and examination, CT/MRI scan
PVD = History and examination, ultrasound, angiogram
What is the treatment for arterial thrombosis?
- Aspirin
- LMW heparin
- Thrombolytic therapy: streptokinase tissue plasminogen factor
- Treat risk factors
What are the potential consequences of a venous thrombosis?
Deep vein thrombosis
Pulmonary embolism
Name 4 causes of a venous thrombosis
Circumstantial
- surgery
- immobilisation
- malignancy
Genetic
- factor V Leiden
- antithrombin deficiency
- protein C or S deficiency
Acquired
- Anti-phospholipid syndrome
How does heparin work?
Inhibits thrombin and factor Xa
Indirect thrombin inhibitor - binds to antithrombin and increased its activity
How do you monitor heparin?
Activated partial thromboplastin time
Aim ratio: 1.8-2.8
Why is LMW heparin often used instead of normal heparin?
Smaller molecule, less variation in dose and renally excreted
How does warfarin work?
Inhibits production of vitamin K dependent clotting factors (2, 7, 9, 10)
Prolongs the prothrombin time
What is warfarin an antagonist of?
Vitamin K
Why is warfarin difficult to use?
Lots of interactions
Needs almost constant monitoring
Teratogenic
How is warfarin measured?
Using International Noramlised Ratio (derived from prothrombin time)
Usual target = 2-3
Higher range = 3-4.5
How does Direct Acting Oral Anticoagulant (DOAC) work?
Directly acts on factor 2 (thrombin) or 10
No blood test or monitoring needed just given od or bd
How much serous fluid is there between the visceral and parietal pericardium?
50 ml
What is the function of the serious fluid between the visceral and parietal pericardium?
Lubricant and so allows smooth movement of the heart inside the pericardium
What is the function of the pericardium?
Restrains the filling volume of the heart
Describe the aetiology of pericarditis
- Viral (common) - e.g. enteroviruses, adenoviruses
- Bacterial - e.g. mycobacterium tuberculosis
- Autoimmune - e.g. Sjören syndrome
- Neoplastic
- Metabolic - e.g. uraemia
- Traumatic and iatrogenic
- Idiopathic (90%)
- dressler’s syndrome
Define acute pericarditis
Acute inflammation of the pericardium with or without effusion
Give 5 symptoms of pericarditis
- CHEST PAIN - severe, sharp and pleuritic (worse on inspiration/lying flat - relieved by sitting forward)
- Dyspnoea
- Cough
- Hiccups
- Skin rash
Describe the chest pain in acute pericarditis
Severe, sharp, pleuritic, rapid onset, can radiate to arm (trapezius ridge)
Why might someone with pericarditis have hiccups?
Due to irritation to the phrenic nerve
What is the major differential diagnosis of acute pericarditis?
Myocardial infarction
Name 3 differential diagnoses for acute pericarditis
- MI
- Angina
- Pneumonia
- Pleurisy
- PE
- GORD
- pneumothorax
What investigations might you do on someone who you suspect to have pericarditis?
- ECG - diagnostic
- CXR
- Bloods - FBC, ESR and CRP, Troponin
- Echocardiogram - usually normal, rule out silent pericardial effusion
What might the ECG look like in someone with acute pericarditis?
- Saddle shaped ST elevation
- PR depression
What does a raised troponin in acute pericarditis suggest?
Myopericarditis
How can acute pericarditis be clinically diagnosed?
Patient has to have at least 2 of the following:
1. Chest pain
2. Friction rub
3. ECG changes
4. Pericardial effusion
What is the treatment for pericarditis?
- Restrict physical activity until symptoms resolve
- NSAID or aspirin
- Colchicine - reduces recurrence (SE = nausea and diarrhoea)
- Treat the cause
What is pericardial effusion?
Abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pericardial cavity
It commonly accompanies an episode of acute pericarditis
What is a complication of pericardial effusion?
Cardiac tamponade
Why does chronic pericardial effusion rarely cause tamponade?
Parietal pericardium is able to adapt when effusion accumulate slowly and so tamponade is prevented
Briefly explain the pathophysiology of cardiac tamponade
Accumulation of pericardial fluid –> increase in intra-pericardial pressure –> poor ventricular filling –> decrease in CO
What are the signs of Cardiac tamponade?
Beck’s triad:
1. low BP but high HR
2. Increased JVP
3. Quiet S1 and S2
- Pulsus paradoxus = pulses fade on inspiration
- Kussmaul’s sign = rise in jugular venous pressure with inspiration
What is the treatment of cardiac tamponade?
Pericardiocentesis (drainage)
What is chronic constrictive pericarditis?
Calcification thickens the pericardium and affects cardiac effusion
What is the treatment for chronic constrictive pericarditis?
Surgical excision of thickened pericardium
Name 3 major predictive markers for complications for pericarditis
- Fever >38 degree
- Subacute onset
- Large pericardial effusion
- Cardiac tamponade
- Lack of response to aspirin or NSAIDs after at least 1 week of therapy
What is haemopericaridum?
Direct bleeding from vasculature through the ventricular wall following MI
What can cause myocarditis?
Viral infection
Give 5 risk factors for peripheral vascular disease
Smoking
Diabetes
HTN
Sedentary lifestyle
Hyperlipidaemia
History of CAD
Age (>40)
what are the treatments for peripheral vascular disease?
Control risk factors:
- Smoking cessation
- Regular exercise
- Weight reduction
- BP control, DM control
- Statin
Antiplatelet therapy:
- Aspirin/clopidogrel
What is critical ischaemia?
Blood supply is barely adequate for life
No reserve for an increase in demand
Very severe, cells are dying
O2 is always low, even at rest
Give 4 signs of critical ischaemia
- Rest pain
- Classically nocturnal
- Ulceration
- Gangrene
What can cause acute ischaemia?
Embolism/thrombosis
Give 6 symptoms of acute ischaemia
- Pain
- Pale
- Paralysis
- Paraesthesia
- Perishing cold
- Pulseless
Give 2 examples of acute ischaemia
- Stroke
- MI
What might you do if you are unable to do a PCI for a STEMI?
Thrombolysis
Name a drug that can be used for thrombosis in the treatment of a STEMI
Streptokinase
What are channelopathies?
Inherited arrhythmias caused by ion channel protein gene mutations
Structurally normal heart but abnormality on an ECG
Name 2 channelopathies
- Long QT syndrome
- Short QT syndrome
What is the commonest symptom of channelopathies?
Recurrent syncope
What is familial hypercholesterolaemia?
Inherited abnormality of cholesterol metabolism
LDL receptor affected
Define heart failure
Inability of the heart to deliver blood and thus oxygen at a rate that is commensurate with the requirements of the body
what are the different categories of heart failure?
- Systolic failure = ability of heart to pump blood around the body is impaired
- Diastolic failure = inability of ventricles to relax and fill fully
- Acute failure = New onset acute or decompensation of chronic.
- Chronic heart failure = Develops/progresses slowly and arterial pressure is well maintained until late
what are the risk factors for heart failure?
- > 65 y/o
- African descent
- Men
- Obesity
- Previous MI
Why are men more commonly effected by heart failure than women?
Women have ‘protective hormones’ meaning they are less at risk of developing HF
Describe the pathophysiology of heart failure
When the heart fails, compensatory mechanisms attempt to maintain CO
As HF progresses, these mechanism are exhausted and become pathophysiological
What are the compensatory mechanisms in heart failure?
- Sympathetic system
- RAAS
- Natriuretic peptides
- Ventricular dilation
- Ventricular hypertrophy
Explain how the sympathetic system is compensatory in heart failure and give one disadvantage of sympathetic activation
Improves ventricular function by increasing HR and contractility = CO maintained
BUT it also causes arteriolar constriction which increases afterload and so myocardial work
Explain how the RAAS system is compensatory in heart failure and give one disadvantage of RAAS activation
Reduced CO leads to reduced renal perfusion, this activates RAAS –> increased fluid retention so increased preload
BUT it also causes arteriolar constriction which increase afterload and so myocardial work
Give 3 properties of natriuretic peptides that make them compensatory in heart failure
- Diuretic
- Hypotensive
- Vasodilators
What are the 3 cardinal symptoms of heart failure?
- SOB
- Fatigue
- Peripheral oedema
what are the clinical signs of left heart failure?
- Pulmonary crackles
- S3 and S4 and murmurs
- Displaced apex beat
- Tachycardia
- fatigue
what are the clinical features of right HF?
- Raised JVP
- Ascites
- peripheral oedema
what are the clinical features of heart failure?
SOFA PC
- shortness of breath
- orthopnea
- fatigue
- ankle swelling
- pulmonary oedema (due to backflow from decreased CO; produced cough with pink frothy sputum)
- cold peripheries
Raised JVP
End respiratory crackles
What investigations might you do initially do in someone who you suspect has HF?
- ECG
- CXR
- BNP - brain natriuretic peptide
What 4 signs might you see on a CXR taken from someone with HF?
ABCDE
A - alveolar oedema (bat wing shadowing)
B - Kerley B lines
C - cardiomegaly
D - dilated upper lobes
E - effusions (pleural)
You have done an ECG, CXR and blood tests on a patient who you suspect might have HF. These have come back abnormal. What investigation might you do next?
An echocardiogram - may reveal cause
what is the management for chronic HF?
1st line = ACEi, beta blocker
2nd = ARB + nitrate
3rd = cardiac resynchronization or digoxin
4th = diuretics (furosemide)
5th = aldosterone antagonist (spironolactone)
Give an example of an ACEi that is commonly used in HF
Ramipril
Name 3 BB that are used in treatment of HF
- Propranolol
- Bisoprolol
- Atenolol
- Carvedilol
what is the treatment for acute HF?
OMFG
- oxygen
- morphine
- furosemide
- GTN spray
What might you give to someone with hypertension if they are ACE inhibitor intolerant?
Angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) - losartan, valsartan, candesartan
How can chronic HF be prevented?
Stop smoking
Eat more healthy
Exercise
Avoid large meals
Vaccinations
Treat underlying cause - dysarrhythmias or valve disease
What is the treatment for acute HF?
LOON
Loop diuretic = furosemide
Oxygen
Opioid = diamorphine
Nitrates = GTN spray
and Monitor ECG
What is the clinical definition of hypertension?
BP > 140/90 mmHg
Name 4 conditions that hypertension is a major risk factor for
- Stroke
- MI
- HF
- Chronic renal failure
- Cognitive decline
- Premature death
On average, by how much does having high blood pressure shorten life?
5-7 years
What are the blood pressure readings for someone to be diagnosed with Stage 1 hypertension?
Clinic BP = 140/90
ABPM = 135/85
What are the blood pressure readings for someone to be diagnosed with Stage 2 hypertension?
Clinic BP = 160/100
ABPM = 150/95
What are the blood pressure readings for someone to be diagnosed with severe hypertension?
Systolic BP = >180
Diastolic BP = >110
Name the 2 types of hypertension
- Essential (primary) hypertension
- Secondary hypertension
What causes essential hypertension?
Unknown cause - multifactorial involving:
- genetic susceptibility
- Excessive sympathetic nervous system activity
- Abnormalities of Na+/K+ membrane transport
- High salt intake
- Abnormalities in renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system
Give 5 causes of secondary hypertension
ROPE
R - renal disease
O - obesity
P - pregnancy
E - endocrine (Conn’s, Cushing’s, pheochromocytoma)
most common = primary hyperaldosteronism - Conn’s syndrome
Name 3 endocrine disease that can cause secondary hypertension
- Conn’s syndrome - hyperaldosteronism
- Cushing’s syndrome - excess cortisol –> increase BP
- Phaemochromocytoma - adrenal gland tumour, excess catecholamines –> high BP
Name 5 risk factor for hypertension
Modifiable:
- alcohol intake
- sedentary lifestyle
- diabetes mellitus
- sleep apnoea
- smoking
Non-modifiable:
- Increasing age
- family history
- ethnicity - afro-Caribbean
What is the clinical presentation of hypertension?
Usually asymptomatic
Found on screening
Why might you examine the eyes of someone with hypertension?
Very high BP can cause immediate damage to small vessels –> seen in the eyes –> retinopathy
What investigations might you do in someone with hypertension?
- 24 hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring –> confirm diagnosis
- ECG and Bloods –> identify secondary causes
- urinalysis - protein, albumin:creatine ratio, haematuria
- blood tests - serum creatinine, eGFR, glucose
- fundoscopy - retinal haemorrhage, papillodema
- ECG - left ventricular hypertrophy
What is the treatment target for hypertension for the following:
a) People aged <80?
b) People aged >80?
a) < 140/90 mmHg
b) < 150/90 mmHg
What are the 2 main types of treatment for hypertension?
- Lifestyle modifications - reduce salt, loss weight, reduce alcohol
- Drug therapy = ACD
Describe the pharmacological intervention for someone with hypertension
- ACEi - ramipril (or ARB - candesartan if ACEi contraindicated)
- Calcium channel blocker - amlodipine, diltiazem, verapamil
- Diuretics - bendroflumethethizaide, furosemide
What other pharmacological interventions might you give to someone with hypertension (except ACD)?
Beta blockers - bisoprolol
statins - simvastatin
Will anti-hypertensives make someone feel better?
No, usually treating hypertension doesn’t relive symptoms except headache
If you gave someone 1 BP tablet by how much would you expect their blood pressure to decrease?
1 tablet = 10 mmHg reduction in BP
What is cor pulmonale?
Right sided heart failure caused by chronic pulmonary arterial hypertension
Write an equation for BP
BP = CO x TPR
Name 2 systems that are targeted pharmacologically in the treatment of hypertension
- RAAS
- Sympathetic nervous system
Give 4 functions of angiontensin II
- Potent vasoconstrictor
- Activated sympathetic nervous system - increased NAd
- Activates aldosterone - Na+ retention
- Vascular growth, hyperplasia and hypertrophy
Give 3 ways in which the Sympathetic nervous system (NAd) leads to increased BP
- Noradrenaline is a vasoconstrictor = increase TPR
- NAd has positive chronotropic and inotropic effects
- It can cause increase renin release
In what diseases are ACE inhibitors clinically indicated?
- Hypertension
- Heart failure
- Diabetic nephropathy
Name 3 ACE inhibitors
- Ramipril
- Enalapril
- Perindopril
- Trandolapril
- Lisinopril
what are the side effects of ACE inhibitors?
- Hypotension
- Hyperkalaemia
- Acute renal failure
- Teratogenic
- cough - from build up of kinin
You see a patient who is taking ramipril. They say that since starting the medication they have had a dry and persistent cough. What might have caused this?
ACE inhibitors lead to a build up of kinin
One of the side effects of this is a dry and chronic cough
What are ARBs?
Angiotensin II receptor blockers
At which receptor do ARB’s work?
AT-1 receptor - prevent angiotensin II binding
In what diseases are ARBs clinically indicated?
- Hypertension
- Heart failure
- Diabetic nephropathy
Name 3 ARBs
- Candesartan
- Valsartan
- Losartan
A patient with hypertension has come to see you about their medication. You see in their notes that ACE inhibitors are contraindicated. What might you prescribe them instead?
An ARB
e.g. candesartan
Give 4 potential side effect of ARBs
- Hypotension
- Hyperkalaemia
- Renal dysfunction
- Rash
Contraindicated in pregnancy
In what diseases are calcium channel blockers clinically indicated?
- Hypertension
- IHD
- Arrhythmia
Name 2 calcium channel blockers
- Amlopipine
- Felodipine
- Diltiazem
- Verapamil
Name 2 dihydropyridines and briefly explain how they work
Class of CCBs
Amlodipine and felodipine
Arterial vasodilators
Name a calcium channel blocker that acts primarily on the heart
Verapamil
Negatively chronotropic and inotropic (reduce HR and force of contraction)
Name a CCB that acts on the heart and on blood vessels
Diltiazem
On what channels do CCB work?
L type Ca2+ channels
Give 3 potential side effects that are due to the vasodilatory ability of CCBs
- Flushing
- Headache
- Oedema
- Palpitations
Give 2 potential side effects that are due to the negatively chronotropic ability of CCBs
- Bradycardia
- Atrioventricular block
- Postural hypotension