Cardio Flashcards
What is the microscopic anatomical difference between layers of elastic and muscular arteries?
elastic arteries contain MORE elastic tissue in the tunica media than muscular arteries
What are the location/boundaries of the pericardium?
Lies within the mediastinum; inferior wall of fibrous pericardium attaches to diaphragm
What is the structure of the pericardium?
3 layers (outermost to inner):
- Fibrous pericardium
- Parietal layer of serous pericardium
- Pericardial cavity
- Visceral layer of serous pericardium
What nerve innervates the pericardium?
Phrenic nerve
What is the most posterior part of the heart?
Left atrium
What is the most anterior part of the heart?
Right ventricle
What is the most commonly injured part of the heart in trauma?
Right ventricle
Enlargement of the left atrium can cause what pathologies?
Mitral stenosis; compression of esophagus (dysphagia), compression of L laryngeal nerve causing hoarseness (Ortner syndrome)
Where is the best place to listen to the mitral valve?
5th L ICS MCL (apex)
Where is the best place to listen to the tricuspid valve?
5th L ICS
Where is the best place to listen to the pulmonic valve?
2nd L ICS
Where is the best place to listen to the aortic valve?
2nd R ICS
Where is Erb’s point?
3rd L ICS
What are the murmurs associated with the mitral valve and how do they sound?
Mitral regurgitation (holosystolic)
Mitral valve prolapse - systolic (midsystolic click)
Mitral stenosis (diastolic)
What pathology are associated with the tricuspid valve? For murmurs, know systolic vs diastolic.
Tricuspid regurgitation (holosystolic)
Ventricular septal defect (holosystolic)
Tricuspid stenosis (diastolic)
What pathology are associated with the pulmonic valve? For murmurs, know systolic vs diastolic.
All systolic ejection murmurs
Pulmonic stenosis
Atrial septal defect
Flow murmur
What pathology are associated with the aortic valve? For murmurs, know systolic vs diastolic.
All systolic murmurs
Aortic stenosis
Flow murmur (physiologic murmur)
What pathology are associated with the erb’s point? For murmurs, know systolic vs diastolic.
Aortic regurgitation (diastolic)
Pulmonic regurgitation (diastolic)
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (systolic)
At erb’s Point we get High
What pathology are associated with S3?
EARLY diastolic pathology
Mitral regurgitation
HF
Volume overload
Can be normal
What pathology are associated with S4?
LATE diastolic pathology
Hypertrophy
Pressure overload
Extreme HTN
ALWAYS ABNORMAL
S4 Dose Have Pretty Extreme Appetite
What causes the sound you hear for S1?
What part of the heart cycle occurs after S1 and before S2?
Where is it loudest?
Mitral and tricuspid valves closing
Systole
Mitral area
What causes the sound you hear for S2?
What part of the heart cycle occurs after S2 and before the next S1?
Where is it loudest?
Aortic and pulmonic valves closing
Diastole
L upper sternal area
Explain the pathway of conduction throughout the heart
SA node > atria > AV node > IV septum/Bundle of His > L+R bundle branches > purkinje fibers > ventricles
Explain how contraction of the heart is stimulated
Contraction stimulated by conduction system; ion flow across cardiac muscle cells initiates action potent ion and leads to contraction
Then, heart resets and returns to baseline and it all repeats
Where in the heart conduction pathway does the signal slightly delay? Why?
AV node; this is the only place there is no fibrous barrier between atria and ventricles, less gap junctions; allows time for atria to empty blood into ventricles prior to contraction
Control of the conduction pathway!
How does the cardiac conduction pathway begin?
Self excitation of SA node; caused by leaky sodium and calcium ions inward and rising resting membrane potential
How are purkinje fibers able to instantaneously transmit cardiac impulse through ALL of ventricular muscle?
Higher permeability of gap junctions at intercalated discs
What would you call a pacemaker anywhere else besides SA node?
Ectopic pacemaker
Explain the effect parasympathetic stimulation on the heart conduction pathway
Vagal n stimulation at SA/AV nodes > releases Ach at vagal endings, increasing permeability of membrane to K+ ions > increases membrane negativity (hyperpolarization) > tissue less excitable
Decreased SA node rhythm > decreased HR
Decreased excitability of AV junctional fibers b/w atrial muscle and AV node > slows transmission of cardiac impulses to ventricles
Explain the effect sympathetic stimulation on the heart conduction pathway
Sympathetic nerves most concentrated in ventricular muscle
NE released at nerve endings > stimulate beta-1 adrenergic receptors > increases cardiac rhythmicity and conduction > increased rate of SA node > increased rate of conduction and level of excitability throughout heart > increased force of contraction (esp ventricles)
Increased heart force + HR
What does the P wave of the cardiac cycle represent?
Atrial depolarization; followed by atrial contraction
What does the QRS complex of the cardiac cycle represent?
Ventricular depolarization; followed by ventricular contraction
What does the T wave of the cardiac cycle represent?
Ventricular repolarization; slightly before isovolumic relaxation, ventricles remain contracted until end of T wave
What does the R-R interval of the cardiac cycle represent?
Rate of one single cardiac cycle/heartbeat
What does the P-R/P-Q interval of the cardiac cycle represent?
Depolarization of atria to start of ventricle contraction
What does the Q-T interval of the cardiac cycle represent?
Depolarization and repolarization of ventricles
What would inversion of a T wave on an EKG indicate?
Ischemia or recent MI
What would a pathological U wave on an EKG indicate?
Hypokalemia
What does a long QTI predispose pts to? What is it caused by?
Torsades de pointes VTACH (wide QRS) > caused by drugs, low K or Mg, congenital abnormalities
Compare AV node fibers vs sinus nodal fibers
SA node fibers have less negative resting membrane potential, caused by leaky sodium and calcium ions > fast sodium channels blocking from opening due to higher resting membrane potential > slower action potential overall
Where does the myocardial action potential occur?
All cardiac myocytes, except those in SA and AV nodes
Briefly explain overview of myocardial action potential?
Depolarization (more positive membrane) > AP plateaus > repolarization (more negative membrane)
Describe phase 0 of the myocardial action potential
Depolarization
Fast Na channels open
Slow Ca channels open
Describe phase 1 of the myocardial action potential
Initial repolarization
Fast Na channels close
Fast K channels open
Slow Ca channels still open
Describe phase 2 of the myocardial action potential
Plateau
Fast K channels close
Slow Ca channels still open, increasing influx balance leaving K more and more
Calcium influx triggers: Ca release from sarcoplasmic reticulum + myocyte contraction via excitation-contraction coupling
Describe phase 3 of the myocardial action potential
Rapid repolarization
Slow Ca channels close
Slow K channels open
Describe phase 4 of the myocardial action potential
Resting membrane potential
High potassium permeability through leaky potassium channels
NaK ATPase and NaCa (Na in Ca out) exchanger at work
Where does the pacemaker action potential occur?
SA and AV nodes
Describe phase 0 of the pacemaker action potential
Opening of Ca channels causes upstroke
fVNaC permanently inactivated > slow conduction velocity used by AV node to prolong transmission from A > V
Describe phase 3 of the pacemaker action potential
Inactivation of Ca channels
Activation of K channels
> K efflux
Describe phase 4 of the pacemaker action potential
Slow spontaneous diastolic depolarization from funny current
Slow/mixed Na/K influx > accounts for automaticity of SA and AV nodes (slope determines HR) > Ach/adenosine will decrease HR, catecholamines will increase HR
What system controls HR and strength?
ANS
What is the basis of regulation of the cardiac cycle?
Intrinsic cardiac pumping regulation in response to changes in volume of blood flowing into the heart
What determines the amount of blood pumped into the heart each minute?
Venous return
What is the Frank-Starling Mechanism?
Ability for the heart to adapt to increasing volumes of blood
More heart muscle is stretched during filling > greater contraction force > greater quantity of blood pumped into aorta
Explain sympathetic stimulation and its role in ANS control of the heart
Increased CO > increases HR and force of contraction > increases volume of blood pumped and ejection pressure
Explain parasympathetic stimulation and its role in ANS control of the heart
Deceased CO >
minor decrease of contraction strength
major decrease of HR
vagal nerve fibers distributed more to atria than ventricles
Explain the effect of potassium ions on heart function
Excess extracellular K > dilated, flaccid heart > slow HR
Excess K could also block conduction of electrical impulse from atria to ventricle
Why?
Decreases resting membrane potential (less neg), decreases intensity of AP, decreased heart muscle contraction
Explain the effect of calcium ions on heart function
Excess intracellular Ca causes opposite effects of potassium
Excess leads to spastic contraction
Why?
Ca initiates the cardiac contractile process
Decreased Ca leads to cardiac weakness like the effects of high K
Where do the coronary arteries lie and where do they supply blood to?
CA and their branches lie in the epicardium and supply blood to the myocardium
During which heart phase do the coronary arteries fill?
Diastole
Describe the branching pattern of the coronary arteries
Aortic root > RCA + LCA
RCA > R marginal
RCA + LCA > PDA
LCA > LAD (widow)
LCA > circumflex > L marginal
What CA supplies blood to the SA node?
RCA
What CA supplies blood to the right ventricle?
RMA
Where does the LAD artery supply blood to?
Anterior 2/3 IV septum, anterior LV
Where does the circumflex artery supply blood to?
LA and posterior walls of LV
Where does the PDA supply blood to?
AV node, posterior 1/3 AV septum
Explain the branching of the aorta below the diaphragm
Inferior phrenic, celiac trunk (foregut), middle suprarenal arteries, renal arteries, SMA (midgut), testicular arteries, IMA (hind gut), lumbar arteries, common iliac arteries
What are the major lower extremity veins?
Anterior tibial, posterior tibial, peroneal veins, lower popliteal fossa, popliteal vein, superficial femoral vein
Explain the anatomy of the femoral and saphenous veins
Deep femoral v is lateral, joins superficial femoral and great saphenous in femoral canal, common femoral vein
In what pathologies would a high pulse pressure be present?
Hyperthyroid, aortic regurgitation, aortic stiffening, OSA, exercise
In what pathologies would a low pulse pressure be present?
Aortic stenosis, cardiogenic shock, cardiac tamponade, HF
What would cause high contractility?
B1R stim, increased intracellular Na/Ca
What would cause low contracility?
B1 blocker, HF, acidosis, hypoxia, NDHPCCB
What medication class would decrease preload?
Venous vasodilator (nitroglycerin, ACEis, ARBs)
What determines the amount cardiac muscles can contract in preload?
End diastolic volume
What determines afterload?
End systolic volume
What blood vessels have the highest total cross sectional area and lowest velocity?
Capillaries
Explain capillary fluid exchange
Cap pressure pushes fluids out, interstitial pressure pushes fluid in
Plasma osmotic and oncotic pressure pulls fluid in, interstitial fluid osmotic pressure pulls fluid out
What are starling forces and what do they determine?
Contraction force is proportional to preload; hearts ability to change contractions and SV in response to venous return. SV increase with increase in amount of blood that fills ventricles (EDV)
Starling forces determine fluid movement through cap membrane
Explain the acute effects of early exercise on the CV system.
CO maintained by increased HR and SV
Explain the adaptive effects of late exercise on the CV system.
CO maintained by HR only (as SV plateaus)
As HR increases > less filling time > decreased CO > diastole is shortened
Explain the function and biochem of atrial natiuretic peptide
Released from atrial myocytes in response to increased blood volume and atrial pressure
Caused vasodilation and decreased Na in the renal/medullary collecting duct
Dilates afferent renal arterioles and constricts efferent arterioles to promote diuresis
Explain the function and biochem of brain natriuretic peptide
Released from ventricular myocytes in response to increased tension
Longer half life than ANP
Used to Dx HF
Explain the function and biochem oF LDL
Transports cholesterol made in the liver to the tissues
Explain the function and biochem of HDL
Scavenges cholesterol from tissues and back to liver for disposal
Explain the unique relationship between the cardiovascular and pulmonary system
Pulmonary vasculature is the only one that vasoconstriction under hypoxia, so the well ventilated areas are perfused
Other areas of the body, hypoxia causes vasodilation
What is pulmonary HTN?
Increased pressure in pulmonary vasculature ONLY; elevated mean pulmonary artery pressure > 20 mmHg at rest
Explain the pathogenesis of pulmonary HTN and what it can lead to
Increased pulmonary vascular resistance > increased right ventricular pressure > increased right ventricular hypertrophy > right HF
What are the different possible causes of pulmonary HTN?
Idiopathic, inherited, drug induced, connective tissue disease
HD/HF (most common)
Lung disease and/or hypoxemia
Chronic thromboembolism
RF for pulmonary HTN
CHF, MI, chronic anemia, COPD/lung disease, chronic thromboembolism, pulmonary arterial HTN (genetic, idiopathic), lung fibrosis
Complications of pulmonary HTN
Arteriosclerosis, medial hypertrophy, intimal fibrous of pulmonary arteries, right HF
Clinical characteristics of pulmonary HTN
PLEXIFORM LESIONS (complex vascular formations originating from remodeled pulmonary arteries, like a spider vein in the lungs)
Fatigue, dyspnea, syncope, peripheral edema, palpitations, chest pain on exertion
Medial hypertrophy of muscular and elastic arteries
What is the most common type of systemic HTN and its causes?
1st degree: multi factorial
Increased CO: increased HR, contractility (exercise, anxiety), increased preload (amount of blood filling heart), decreased afterload
Increased TPR: amount of blood circulating and diameter of BVs
What is the most common cause of second degree systemic HTN?
Renal/renovascular disease
What is seen microscopically in pulmonary HTN?
Smooth muscle proliferation occurs due to decreased apoptosis; genetic connection to BMPR2 gene
RF for systemic HTN
Increased age, obesity, DM, physical inactivity, excess salt, excess alcohol, smoking, fhx
AA > caucasians > Asian
Complications of systemic HTN
CAD, HF, left ventricular hypertrophy, a fib, aortic dissection, aortic aneurysm, stroke, CKD, retinopathy
What defines a hypertensive crisis, hypertensive urgency, and hypertensive emergency?
Crisis: 180/110
Urgency: 180/120+ with NO sx end organ damage
Emergency: 180/120+ with evidence of end organ damage (encephalopathy, stroke, retinal hemorrhage, MI, HF, kidney injury)
Sx of systemic HTN
Commonly asymp
Fundoscopic exam showing hypertensive retinopathy (not required for dx)
What is congestive heart failure?
Cardiac pump dysfunction leads to congestion of the heart, decreased CO, and low perfusion
Types of left sided CHF
Systolic dysfunction: HF with reduced EF, increased EDV, decreased contractility
Diastolic dysfunction: HF with preserved EF, normal EDV, decreased compliance (increased EDP)
Etiology/causes of L CHF
Ischemic HD
HTN
Aortic and mitral valvular diseases
Myocardial disease
Common causes of R CHF
Left HF
Pulmonary HTN
Cor pulmonale - isolated right HF due to pulmonary causes
RF for CHF
Old age, CAD, HTN, DM, valvular heart disease, tobacco, obesity
Complications of L CHF
A fib, stroke/thrombosis, hypoxic encephalopathy, coma, death, right HF
Shared clinical characteristics of both types of CHF
S3 heart sounds, rales, JVD, pitting edema
L CHF clinical characteristics
S3, rales, JVD, pitting edema
pulmonary edema (increased pulmonary venous pressure > pulmonary venous distention and transduction of fluid) > HF CELLS IN LUNGS
Orthopnea (SOB when supine)
Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
Dyspnea, orthopnea, fatigue
R CHF clinical characteristics
S3, rales, JVD, pitting edema
Congestive hepatomegaly (increased central venous pressure > increased resistance to portal flow) > NUTMEG LIVER on cadaver exam
Dyspnea, orthopnea, fatigue
what is angina pectoris?
Chest pain due to ischemic myocardium secondary to coronary artery narrowing or spasm, no myocyte necrosis
Different types of angina pectoris
Stable angina
Vasospastic/variant
Unstable angina
Stable angina definition
most common
usually secondary to atherosclerosis (>70% occlusion)
triggered by: atherosclerosis, activity, BP, HR
Vasospastic/variant angina definition
occurs at rest secondary to CA spasm
triggered by: cocaine, alcohol, triptans
Unstable angina definition
Thrombosis with incomplete coronary artery occlusion
Triggered by: atherosclerosis, activity, BP, HR
RF for stable and unstable angina
HTN, HLD, tobacco, MI RF
RF for vasospastic/variant angina
Tobacco use
Clinical characteristics of stable angina
Pain on exertion, resolves with rest
No ECG changes
Are troponin levels elevated in any forms of angina?
No
Clinical characteristics of vasospastic angina
Pain at rest secondary to coronary artery spasm
Transient ST elevation on ECG
Clinical characteristics of chronic ischemic heart disease
Enlarged heavy heart with L ventricular hypertrophy and dilation
Obstructive ordinary atherosclerosis
Scars from healed infarcts
Complications of chronic ischemic heart disease
Leading cause of death worldwide
Progressive CHF leading to heart transplant
Clinical characteristics of unstable angina
Pain on mild extortion or at rest
Possible ST depression/T-wave inversion on ECG
What is chronic ischemic heart disease
Progressive onset of HF over many years due to chronic ischemic myocardial damage
What is myocardial ischemia
Imbalance between supply (perfusion) and demand of heart for oxygenated blood
Etiology of chronic ischemic heart disease
Reduced blood flow to obstructive atherosclerotic lesions in coronary artery, usually preceded by MI
Progression of CAD
Pathogenesis of chronic ischemic heart disease
Long and slow onset w/o sx
Syndrome of ischemic heart disease are late manifestations of coronary atherosclerosis
Appears post infarction due to functional decompensation of hypertrophied non infarcted myocardium
RF of chronic ischemic heart disease
HLD, HTN, MI, tobacco use, alcohol use, sedentary lifestyle, age, SAD diet
What is a myocardial infarction
Death of cardiac muscle due to prolonged severe ischemia
Most common cause of myocardial infarction
Rupture of coronary artery atherosclerotic plaque
Commonly occluded arteries with MIs
LAD > RCA > circumflex
Pathogenesis of MI
Initial event > sudden change in plaque > intraplaque hemorrhage, erosion, ulceration, rupture, fissuring
When exposed to subendothelial collagen and necrotic plaque contents, platelets adhere, become active, release granule contents, and aggregate to form microthrombi
Vasospasm is stimulated by mediators released from platelets
TF activates, activates coagulation pathway, increases bulk of thrombus, occludes complete lumen > leads to ischemia and myocyte death occurring at the location of the anatomical region supplied by artery in question
Biochem of MI
Loss of blood flow > cessation of aerobic metabolism within seconds
Inadequate production of ATP > accumulation of lactic acid
STEMI characteristics
Transmural
Full thickness
ST elevation, pathological Q waves
NSTEMI characteristics
Subendothelial
Subendocardium (inner 1/3)
ST depression
What is seen on microscopy at 0-24 hours, 1-3 days, 3-14 days, and 14+ days post MI
0-24 hrs: wavy fibers, coagulative necrosis, dark eosinophilic stripes
1-3 days: coagulative necrosis, neutrophils showing acute inflammation
3-14 days: macrophages, granulation tissue
14+ days: scar complete
RF for MI
Age, genetics, males, post menopausal women (drop in estrogen), atherosclerosis
Complications of MI
If caught late: necrosis of cardiac myocytes > chronic IHD, CHF, death
DARTH VADER: death, arrhythmia, rupture, tamponade, HF, valve disease, aneurysm, dressers, embolism, recurrence/regurgitation
Complications of MI by time frame (0-24 hours, 1-3 days, 3-14 days, 2+ weeks)
0-24 hours: ventricular arrhythmia, HF, cardiogenic shock
Vinny has constipation for 24 hours
1-3 days: postinfarction fibrinous pericarditis
3-14 days: cardiac tamponade, mitral regurgitation, LV, pseudoaneurysm
2+ weeks: dressier syndrome, HF, arrhythmia, ventricular aneurysm
Clinical characteristics MI
Elevated bio markers (CK-MB, troponins)
Chest/arm/back/neck/jaw pain
Trouble breathing
Lightheadedness
Diaphoresis/cold sweats
N/V
Severe chest pain
Malaise, fatigue
Aortic stenosis - S or D?
S
Aortic regurgitation / insufficiency - S or D?
D
Mitral stenosis - S or D?
D