Cardio Flashcards
Describe cardiac tamponade
An accumulation of fluid in the pericardial cavity that reduces cardiac function
Describe the classic clinical features of cardiac tamponade
Beck’s triad:
- hypotension
- raised JVP
- muffled heart sounds
What are the characteristic features of Tetralogy of Fallot?
- right ventricular hypertrophy
- VSD (ventricular septal defect)
- misaligned/overriding aorta
- pulmonary stenosis
What are the features of left sided heart failure?
ABCDE
- alveolar oedema
- Kerley B lines
- cardiomegaly
- dilated upper lobe vessels
- pleural effusion
Also..
- dyspnoea
- reduced ejection fraction
- pulmonary stenosis
What hormone is used to diagnose heart failure? Where is it released from?
BNP (b type natriuretic peptide)
Released from the ventricles (mainly left)
Higher levels = worse prognosis
Describe the pathology of Wolff-Parkinson White
Congenital accessory pathway between the atria and ventricles
Causes atrioventricular re entry tachycardia
No slowing of conduction… therefore, AF can very quickly deteriorate to VF
What the the ECG changes seen in Wolff-Parkinson white?
- delta waves (wide QRS complex, with a slurred uptake)
- short PR interval
- axis deviation to the opposite side of the accessory pathway…
What can cause an ejection systolic murmur that is louder on expiration?
- aortic stenosis
- hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy
What can cause an ejection systolic murmur that is louder on inspiration?
- pulmonary stenosis
- atrial septal defect
What kind of murmur does VSD cause?
Pan systolic murmur, harsh in character
Describe the murmur heard in mitral / tricuspid regurgitation
Pan systolic
High pitched, ‘blowing’ in character
What causes late systolic murmur?
- mitral valve prolapse
- coarctation of the aorta
Describe the murmur heard in aortic regurgitation
Early diastolic, high pitched, ‘blowing’ in character
Describe the murmur heard in pulmonary regurgitation
“Graham-steel murmur”
Early diastolic, high pitched, ‘blowing’ in character
Describe the murmur heard in mitral stenosis
Mid-late diastolic
‘Rumbling’ in character
What are the clinical feature of right sided heart failure?
- fatigue
- raised JVP !!
- pitting oedema
- ascites
Describe the first and second line pharmacological treatment of angina
1 = beta blocker OR cardioselective CCB (verapamil, diltiazem)
2 = beta blocker AND non-cardioselective CCB (nifedipine)
dont combine β blocker with a cardioselective CCB as can cause a systole
Describe the immediate management of STEMI
- dual anti platelets: aspirin + clopidogrel/Ticagrelor/prasugrel
- anticoagulation, via unfractioned heparin
- PCI
Describe the first and second line pharmacological management of chronic heart failure
1st line = ACEi + βblocker
2nd line = add an aldosterone antagonist (mineralcorticoid receptor antagonist) e.g. spironolactone)
In pts who are on medication for chronic heart failure, including ACEi and aldosterone antagonists, what do you need to monitor?
Potassium levels! Both drugs can cause hyperkalaemia
In a pt presenting with high blood pressure for the first time, who is 60 years old and has T2DM, what is your first line pharmacological treatment option?
ACEi or ARB.
Any pt with T2DM should be on this treatment plan instead on CCP, despite their age
In a pt presenting with hypertension for the first time, who is 40 and of Afro-carribbean descent, what is your first line treatment option?
CCB!
No matter the age, pts of Afro-Caribbean descent with hypertension should be put on CCB
At what treatment line can thiazide-like diuretics be introduced for pts with hypertension?
Second line
At what line can Spironolactone be introduced for hypertensive pts?
4th line
At what line can β blockers be introduced for hypertensive pts?
4th line
Stroke prevention in a pt with a metallic heart valve replacement. What drug is preferred?
Warfarin.
DOACs less effective if metallic heart valve in place
What is the pharmacological management of pericarditis ?
NSAIDs + colchicine
Describe the Pathophysiology of aortic stenosis
Narrowing of the aortic valve, either due to degeneration calcification or the presence of a bicuspid aortic valve.
Describe the clinical features of aortic stenosis
- ejection systolic murmur, louder on expiration
- slow rising pulse
- soft/absent S2
- S4
What would be seen on CXR in mitral stenosis?
An enlarged left atrium
What would be heard on auscultation in mitral stenosis?
- Mid/late diastolic murmur, louder on expiration
- loud S1
What are the initial investigations required in suspected infective endocarditis?
- FBC
- blood cultures
- urinalysis
- ECG
Give 3 medical primary care interventions for ischaemic heart disease
- aspirin
- statins
- antihypertensives
Give 3 lifestyle primary care interventions for ischaemic heart disease
- smoking cessation
- dietary advice
- encourage regular exercise
What are the signs / symptoms of a STEMI? (9)
- central, crushing chest pain
- N/V
- light headed / dizzy
- SOB
- sweating
- anxiety / feeling of dread
- palpitations
- pallor
- hypotensive
Describe the effects of RAAS activation
(7)
- anterior vasoconstriction
- increased sympathetic activity
- increased tubular reabsorption of Na+ and Cl-
- increased tubular excretion of K+
- ADH secretion, causing increased H20 retention
- aldosterone secretion, causing increased Na+ retention
- overall, salt and water retention increase the blood pressure !!
What are 6 modifiable risk factors of STEMI?
- smoking
- hypertension
- diabetes
- obesity
- physical inactivity
- poor diet
what are 4 non-modifiable risk factors of STEMI?
- advanced age
- male sex
- family history of coronary artery disease
- previous history of coronary artery disease
Describe the ECG changes seen in 1st degree heart block
Prolonged PR interval
Describe the ECG changes seen in 2nd degree heart block, Mobitz type I
Progressive prolongation of the PR interval, followed by a dropped QRS complex
Describe the ECG changes seen in 2nd degree heart block, Mobitz type II
Intermittently non-conducted P waves.
Non preceded by prolonged PR interval OR followed by shortened PR interval
Describe the ECG changes seen in 3rd degree heart block
No association between P waves and QRS complex…
Atrial rate ~100bpm
Ventricular rate ~40bpm
Define embolism
Blocked vessel caused by a foreign body e.g. blood clot, gas bubble
Define thrombosis
Formation of a blood clot in a blood vessel, obstructive blood flow
Define infarction
Death of heart muscle due to reduced or absent blood supply
Define ischaemia
Restricted blood supply to tissues, causing oxygen shortage and therefore reduced cell function