Cardio Flashcards
Suspected heart failure patients should have BNP levels. If BNP levels are high/raised, what should be arranged:
Specialist assessment and transthoracic echo (TTE) within:
1. 2 weeks - if BNP is HIGH
2. 6 weeks - if BNP is RAISED
New York Heart Association NYHA Heart failure classification
1. Class I
2. Class II
3. Class III
4. Class IV
- No symptoms - no limitation
- Mild symptoms - slight limitation on exercise
- Moderate symptoms - marked limitation on exercise
- Severe symptoms - symptoms at rest and unable to carry out exercise.
What 4 types of medication can exacerbate heart failure
- Pioglitazone (thiazolidinediones)
- Verapamil
- Flecainide (class I anti-arrhythmics)
- NSAIDs/steroids - except aspirin
Chronic heart failure mainstay of treatment
- ACE inhibitors and B-blockers
- Aldosterone antagonist - spironolactone or eplerenone
- SGLT-2 inhibitors (canagliflozin, dapagliflozin, empagliflozin) if reduced EF %
- Initiated by specialists: ivabradine, hydralazine with nitrate, sacubitril-valsartan, digoxin, cardiac resynchronisation therapy
COPD and heart failure patients have what vaccines
- Annual influenza vaccine
- One-off pneumococcal vaccine
Three cyanotic (right to left shunt) congenital heart diseases
- Tetralogy of fallot (VSD, pulmonary stenosis, RVH, overriding aorta) - 1-2 months
- Transposition of great arteries - at birth
- Tricuspid atresia
Turner’s syndrome is associated with which congenital heart defect
Coarctation of the aorta
People with what valvular disease should avoid ACE inhibitors
Aortic stenosis
- can result in hypotension
What are 5 contraindications of ACE inhibitors
- Pregnancy/breastfeeding
- Hereditary angioedema
- Aortic stenosis
- Renovascular disease
- Hyperkalaemia >5.0
What are acceptable changes after increasing/starting ACE inhibitors in:
(a) % in serum creatinine
(b) potassium level
(a) 30% increase in serum Cr
(b) 5.5 potassium
2 common side effects of metformin
GI side effects
Lactic acidosis
4 common side effects of sulfonylureas e.g. glimepiride, glipizide
Hypoglycaemia
Increased appetite and weight gain
SIADH
Liver dysfunction (cholestatic)
4 common side effects of glitazones e.g. pioglitazone
Weight gain
Fluid retention
Liver dysfunction
Fractures
Rare but important side effect of DPP4 inhibitors (gliptins) e.g.
Pancreatitis
A 33-year-old woman is prescribed varenicline to help her quit smoking. What is the mechanism of action of varenicline?
Nicotinic receptor partial agonist
n.b. this is contraindicated in pregnancy + breastfeeding
Management of venous ulceration (typically seen above medial malleolus) if ABPI is normal (0.9-1.2)
- Compression bandages - 4 layer
- Oral pentoxifylline (peripheral vasodilator)
There is little evidence from hydrocolloid dressings, intermittent pneumatic compression, USS therapy, growth factors.
Small evidence supporting flavinoids
Which 6 medications can precipate digoxin toxicity
Amiodarone
Quinidine
Verapamil
Diltiazem
Spironolactone
Ciclosporin
PDE 5 inhibitors e.g. sildenafil is contraindicated by which 2 medications
Nitrates
Nicorandil
Causes of raised prolactin - the p’s
pregnancy
prolactinoma
physiological: stress, exercise, sleep
PCOS
primary hypothyroidism (and acromegaly)
phenothiazines, metoclopramide, domperidone
Patients after an MI are started on what 4 classes of drugs
- Dual antiplatelet therapy
- ACE inhibitors
- B-blockers
- Statins
Patients who have had ACS are started on dual antiplatelet therapy. What DAPT is given for those post-ACS who were medically managed?
Aspirin
Ticagrelor - stop after 12 months
Patients who have had ACS are started on dual antiplatelet therapy. What DAPT is given for those post-ACS who had PCI?
Aspirin
Prasugrel or ticagrelor - stop after 12 months
Supraventricular tachycardia acute treatment
- Vagal manoeuvres - valsalva and carotid sinus massage
- IV adenosine
6mg -> 12mg -> 18mg - If asthmatic, give verapamil instead
- Electrical cardioversion
Prevention of supraventricular tachycardia episodes treatment
B-blockers
Radiofrequency ablation
What medication combined with verapamil is contraindicated
B-blockers
This can cause profound bradycardia and asystole
CHA2DS2VaSc score
Treat if males = 1
Females = 2
Congestive HF = 1
HTN = 1
Age >75=2 or >65=1
Diabetes = 1
Stroke/TIA/VTE = 2
Vascular disease = 1
Sex = 1
What score does the CHA2DS2VASc score need to be to consider/start anticoagulation
0 = no treatment
1 = males, consider anticoagulation
2 = offer anticoagulation
If a CHA2DS2VASc score suggests there is NO need for any anticoagulation, what investigation should be done to help
Transthoracic echo
To exclude vascular heart disease. This is an absolute indication for anticoagulation
What scoring system is used to assess bleeding risk
ORBIT system
ORBIT scoring system assesses bleeding risk (used to use HAS-BLED score). What are the 5 variables
- Hb <130 or Hct <40% for males; Hb <120 or Hct <36% for females = 2
- Age >74 yo= 1
- Bleeding Hx = 2
- Renal impairment eGFR <60 = 1
- Treatment with antiplatelets = 1
Statins should be given to patients with a 10-year cardiovascular risk QRISK score of
10% or more
Primary prevention for statins - what are the criteria and what is the dose of statin
QRISK score >10%
Or T1DM (if diagnosed over 10 years ago or older than 40)
Or CKD eGFR <60
Give 20mg atorvastatin OD
Secondary prevention for statins - what are the criteria and what is the dose of statin
Ischaemic heart disease
Cerebrovascular disease
Peripheral arterial disease
Give atorvastatin 80mg OD
TIA and stroke for lifelong maintenance antiplatelet choice
Clopidogrel
2nd line if not tolerated:
aspirin + dipyridamole
Peripheral arterial disease lifelong maintenance antiplatelet choice
Clopidogrel
2nd line if not tolerated:
aspirin ONLY
Acute antiplatelet management for TIA/ischaemic stroke
300mg aspirin
followed by 75mg clopidogrel OD (or 2nd line aspirin + dipyridamole)
Blood pressure target for <80 yrs in clinics
<140/90
Stage 1 hypertension
> 140/90
or home >135/85
Stage 2 hypertension
> 160/100
or home >150/95
Stage 3/severe hypertension
> 180 systolic; or
120 diastolic
Low salt diet for hypertension is advised. What grams of salt per day are recommended
Aim for less than 6g per day
Ideally 3g
Patients less than 55 years old or with T2DM with HTN are offered what drug first…
ACE inhibitor/ ARB
Patients greater than 55 years old or Afro-Carribbean are offered what drug first…
CCB
Angina patients are treated with what 4 main groups of medication
- Aspirin
- Statins
- CCBs
- B-blockers
(then can consider long-acting nitrates, ivabradine, nicorandil, ranolazine)
If a patient with angina is taking CCB + b-blockers, or not tolerating one and needs another medication/or needs another before PCI/CABG, what other 4 meds can be added on?
Long-acting nitrates
Ivabradine
Nicorandil
Ranolazine
What CCB is used in a patient with angina if they are taking:
(a) CCB monotherapy
(b) dual therapy of CCB with b-blockers
(a) Rate limiting CCB e.g. Verapamil
(b) Long-acting e.g. Amlodipine
NICE advises that patients who take STANDARD-release isosorbide mononitrate twice daily should use what dosing interval to prevent tolerance?
Asymmetric dosing interval
Ensures a daily nitrate-free time of 10-14 hours OVERNIGHT
ejection systolic murmur
Increases with Valsalva manoeuvre and decreases on squatting
what condition is this
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
n.b. sometimes there may be a pansystolic murmur
Echocardiogram findings for HOCM
Mitral regurg (MR)
Systolic anterior motion (SAM) of the anterior MV leaflet
Asymmetric hypertrophy (ASH)
MR SAM ASH
4 ECG findings with HOCM
LVH
Progressive T wave inversion
Deep Q waves
Atrial fib
Warfarin prevents activation of vitamin K by affecting with clotting factors
2, 7, 9, 10
Protein C
Which mechanical heart valve replacements need a higher INR for warfarin
Mitral valves > aortic valves
What are the target INR for VTE and AF with warfarin (n.b. DOACs are now first line)
VTE = 2.5
Recurrent VTE = 3.5
Atrial fib = 2.5
4 factors that may potentiate warfarin
- Liver disease
- P450 inhibitors
- Cranberry juice
- NSAIDs
B-blockers are now not used as much to reduce hypertension. What is the reason for this
Less likely to prevent stroke
Potential impairment of glucose tolerance
What is the inheritance pattern of HOCM
Autosomal dominant
If severe airway obstruction (unable to speak, SOB, wheezy) and is conscious, what should you do
5 back-blows
5 abdo thrusts
Repeat
If unconscious: call 999 and start CPR
Atrial fib in acute stroke patients - when should anticoagulation be started
Give antiplatelets for 2 weeks
Then start anticoagulation after
What medications are used to control the rate in atrial fib?
B-blockers
CCB e.g. diltiazem
If one drug is not enough add on:
B-blocker
Diltiazem
Digoxin
Patients cannot drive after MI for 4 weeks but do not need to tell the DVLA. They can drive after 1 week if had PCI and which 3 criteria are met …
If PCI is done and:
- No other urgent PCI planned (within 4 weeks)
- LVEF >40%
- No other condition
Thiazide diuretics can cause what electrolyte disturbance
Hypercalcaemia
Hyponatraemia
Hypokalaemia
n.b. low levels of calcium in urine
5 causes of aortic stenosis
- Calcification
- Bicuspid aortic valve
- William’s syndrome
- Post-rheumatic disease
- HOCM
Patients with aortic stenosis, if they are asymptomatic then surgery is considered if they also have what 2 other criteria
Asymptomatic BUT:
Valvular gradient >40
LV systolic dysfunction
Three options for aortic valve replacement surgeries
Surgical AVR
Transcatheter AVR
Balloon valvuloplasty
If somebody with aortic stenosis ESM murmur, syncope etc - what is the most important initial investigation
ECHOCARDIOGRAM
Blood pressure target (> 80 years, clinic reading)
150/90
How long can patients not drive after CABG
4 weeks
Patients who are on antiplatelet and happen to get atrial fib and need anticoagulant, what happens to these meds
SWITCH antiplatelet to anticoagulant
(Patients with VTE and PCI have different options)
Patients who have PCI/post-ACS, what antiplatelet and anticoagulation dual therapy is given for atrial fib
- Triple therapy = 2 antiplatelets + 1 anticoagulant for 4 weeks to 6 months after the event
- Then decrease to dual therapy = 1 antiplatelet and 1 anticoagulant to complete 12 months
If a patient on antiplatelets develops a clot, what antiplatelet and anticoagulation therapy is given
Anticoagulants for 3-6 months
Then calculate ORBIT score - low risk of bleeding can continue antiplatelets
Intermediate or high risk can stop antiplatelets