Cardio Flashcards
What is the intrinsic rate of the SA node?
60 - 100 BPM
What is the intrinsic rate of the AV node?
40 - 60 BPM
What is the intrinsic rate of the ventricular cells?
20 - 45 BPM
What is the intrinsic rate of the ventricular cells?
20 - 45 BPM
Describe the impulse conduction pathway
SAN -> AVN -> Bundle of His -> Bundle branches -> Purkinje fibres
One small box on ECG = ?
0.04 seconds
(40 milliseconds)
One large box on ECG = ?
0.20 seconds (horizontally)
0.5 mV (vertical)
Cardiac output (L/min) =
Stroke volume (L) x HR (BP)
Define total peripheral resistance
The total resistance to slow in systemic blood vessels from start of aorta to vena cava
What vessels provide the most resistance?
Arterioles
What is Starling’s Law?
Force of contrition is proportional to end diastolic length of cardiac muscle fibres
i.e. more ventricle fills, harder it contracts
What is S1?
Mitral and tricuspid valve closure
What is S2?
Aortic and pulmonary valve closure
What is S3?
In early diastole during rapid ventricular filling
Normal in children and pregnant women
Associated w/ Mitral Regurg and heart failure
What is S4?
“Gallop” in late diastole
Produced by blood forced into stiff hypertrophic ventricle
Associated w/ LV hypertrophy
Key presentation of peripheral arterial disease
6 Ps
Pain
Pulseless
Pallor
Perishingly cold
Paraesthesia
Paralysis
Symptoms of PAD
Intermittent claudication
Ix PAD
Colour Duplex USS - shows vessels and blood flow within
Ankle Brachial Pressure Index (ABPI) -
highest ankle systolic pressure / highest brachial systolic pressure
Normal = 1 - 1.2
PAD = ≤ 0.9 (below 0.4 is severe - rest pain)
If thinking of intervention,
MRI/CT angiography - identify stenosis and quality of vessels
Tx PAD
Lifestyle changes - to minimise risk of MI and relieve symptoms
e.g. stop smoking, treat HTN, lower cholesterol, improve diet, exercise
Anti-platelet therapy - Clopidogrel (P2Y12-i)
If severe :
percutaneous transluminal angioplasty or surgery
Describe the stages of chronic limb ischaemia
stage 1 - asymptomatic
stage 2 - intermittent claudication
stage 3 - rest pain/nocturnal pain
stage 4 - necrosis/gangrene
Complications of PAD
Acute limb ischaemia
∴ loss of limb
Key presentation of peripheral venous disease (DVT)
Red, swollen, warm limb
Dull achy contact pain
Ix DVT
Wells score - to assess likelihood
If DVT likely - venous ultrasound
If DVT unlikely - D-dimer first
GS : Venous ultrasound
If unavailable, CT scan
Tx DVT
If proximal, ANTI-COAG! for 3 months (unless CI)
DOACs, warfarin, heparin
Apixaban, rivaroxaban
If distal, check local protocol.
In UK, start anticoag unless ↑ risk of bleeding or if DVT < 5cm
What type of patients will need a tailored approach of treatment for DVT?
Pregnant, cancer, renal impairment patients
Complications of DVT
Pulmonary embolism
If a DVT patient present with marked swelling, significant pain and cyanosis, what should you suspect?
Phlegmasia cerulea dolens
IMMEDIATE TREATMENT - life and limb threatening !!!
Which artery? Hip/buttock pain
Aortic or iliac artery
Which artery? Thigh pain
Common femoral artery
Which artery? Upper 2/3rd of calf pain
Superior femoral artery
Which artery? Lower 2/3rd of calf pain
Popliteal artery
Which artery? Foot pain
Tibial or peroneal artery
Other signs/symptoms of PAD
Bruit - ‘Whooshing sounds’ when stethoscope over iliac arteries
Buerger’s test
Absent pulses
Ulcer’s don’t fully heal
Define HTN
Clinical BP - 140/90
At home - 135/85
Causes of 1st degree heart block
LEV’s disease (aka Lenegre’s)
IHD - scar tissue from myocyte death
Myocarditis
Hypokalaemia
AVN blocking drugs e.g. beta blockers, CCBs, Digoxin
Define 1st degree Heart Block
Delayed AV conduction but still makes it to ventricles
Prolonged PR interval > 0.22s
Key presentation of 1st Degree Heart Block
ASYMPTOMATIC!
no treatment required
Describe 2 places where electrical energy can be blocked
- AVN or Bundle of His = AV block
- Lower conduction system = BBB
Causes of 2nd Mobitz Type 1 heart block
AV node blocking drugs e.g. BB, CCB, Digoxin
Inf. MI
Define 2nd Mobitz Type 1 Heart Block
Atrial impulses fail to reach the ventricles
Progressive PR interval prolongation until beat is ‘dropped’ and P wave fails to conduct
PR wave then returns to normal
Key presentation of 2nd Mobitz Type 1 heart block
Light-headedness, dizziness, syncope
Causes of 2nd Mobitz Type 2 heart block
Block at intra-nodal level
Ant. MI
Mitral valve surgery
SLE, Lyme disease
Rheumatic fever
Key presentation of 2nd Mobitz Type 2 heart block
Dyspnoea, postural hypotension, chest pain, syncope
Describe 2nd Mobitz Type 2 heart block
PR interval is CONSTANT (NO PROLONGATION)
QRS intervals widened and dropped
State the causes of 3rd degree Heart Block
Structural heart disease
IHD e.g. acute MI
HTN
Endocarditis, Lyme disease
Describe 3rd degree heart block
COMPLETE dissociation between atria and ventricles i.e. P waves completely independent of QRS complex
What is a Narrow-complex escape rhythm?
QRS complex less than 0.12 seconds
Implies block originates in Bundle of His ∴ region of block lies more proximally in AV node
Tx 3rd degree heart block
IV atropine
Permanent pacemaker insertion
Tx 2nd degree heart block
If severe enough, permanent pacemaker insertion
What is Broad-complex escape rhythm?
QRS > 0.12 s
Block indicated to be Below His, more distal in His-Purkinje system
What can often occur with Broad-complex escape rhythm B?
Dizziness, Blackouts
Causes of Right Bundle Branch Block
PE
IHD
Atrial-ventricular septal defect
Causes of Left Bundle Branch Block
IHD
Aortic valve disease
Describe Right Bundle Branch Block
Right bundle no longer condutcs
∴ ventricles don’t receive impulses at same time, spread from left to right instead
∴ late activation of RV
How is a RBBB seen on an ECG?
Deep S wave in leads 1 and V6
Tall late R wave in lead V1
RF for PE
Age
DVT
Surgery within last 2 months
Bed rest > 5 days
Previous venous thromboembolic events
FHx
Why is there a difference in treatment between proximal and distal DVTs?
Proximal has a chance of PE, stroke etc
Bigger risk
Describe Virchow’s triad
- Vessel injury
- Venous stasis
- Activation of clotting system
Ix PE
ABCDE assessment
PERC rule if doesn’t meet PERC (PE rule-out criteria), use Wells score
D-dimer
GS : CT pulmonary angiography
Tx PE
Anticoag= - rivaroxaban, LMWH
Start O2 if sats < 90%
Thrombolysis - if massive clot
Key presentation of PE
If small - asymptomatic
If large - pleuritic pain + other symptoms
If massive - sudden death
Dyspnoea (↑ RR)
Syncope
Dizziness
Leg pain - DVT
Complications of PE
Respiratory alkalosis (due to ↑ RR)
Infarction