cardio Flashcards
what is pericarditis
inflammation of the pericardium - the sac which surrounds the heart
aetiology of pericarditis
- viral – cosackies, mumps, EBV, CMV, varicella, rubella, HIV, Parvo-19
- MI + Dressler’s, aortic dissection, uraemia, SLE, IBD
clinical features of pericarditis
- Classic triad of pericardial rub, chest pain, ECG changes
- Retrosternal/ precordial pleuritic chest pain worse lying flat or inspiration, coughing,
- Pain relieved by sitting forward, radiate to trap/ neck/ shoulder.
- Fever.
- Dry cough.
what are the pericarditis specific ECG changes
PR depression, widespread saddle ST elevation
Ix and Mx of pericarditis
ECG
- Refer to cardiology if tamponade pericardiocentesis
- If bacterial pericardiocentesis + systemic Abx (vancomycin + ceftriaxone)
- Treat cause
- NSAID + PPI
- Colchicine – used to prevent further pericarditis
what is accelerated hypertension
recent inc in BP to over > 180 and > 110 + papilloedema or retinal haemorrhage
clinical features of accelerated HTN
papilloedema
retinal haemorrhages
signs of end-organ damage - headache, fits, N+V, visual disturbances, chest pain, bleeding due to DIC, microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia
Investigation and treatment of accelerated HTN
medical emergency
same day referral for pt with accelaterd HTN with papilloedema/retinal haemorrhage
aim - reduce BP steadily over 24-48 hours - IV nitroprusside, labetalol or nifadipine
what is pericardial effusion
collection of fluid in the pericardial space
what are the different types of pericardial effusion?
transudate - fluid pushed through capillaries due to high pressure within them
exudate - fluid that leaks around the cells of capillaries due to inflammation
haemopericardium - blood
causes of pericardial effusion
pericarditis MI AKI/CKD malignancy nearby autoimmune conditions
clinical features of pericardial effusion
- Depend on speed and size of effusion
- Chest pain: relieved by sitting up and leaning forward and intensified by lying down.
- Light-headedness and syncope
- Palpitations
- Cough
- SOB
- Anxiety
- Beck’s triad of pericardial tamponade: hypotension, muffled heart sounds, jugular venous distention.
- Pulses paradoxus (significant drop in BP on inspiration)
ix and Mx of pericardial effusion
echo -diagnostic
refer to cardiology
treating underlying cause
pericariocentesis
what are the 2 shockable rhythms?
pulseless ventricular tachycardia
ventricular fibrillation
what are the 2 non-shockable rhythms?
pulseless electrical activity
asystole
what is the sequences of action in cardiac arrest
discover a patient unresponsive and not breathing normally –> call for help –> CPR 30:2 –> attach defib pads + airwya mx + IV access –> assess rhythm (pause CPR for rhythm analysis and pulse check)
what are the reversible causes of cardiac arrest
4Ts
- tamponade
- thrombosis
- tension pneumothorax
- toxins
4HS
- hypothermia
- hypoxia
- hypovolaemia
- hypo/hyperkalaemia/metabolic
what is acute left ventricular failure
- Left ventricle is unable to adequately move blood through the left side of the heart and out of the body.
- This causes a backlog of blood that increases the amount of blood in the left atrium, pulmonary veins and lungs.
- As the vessels in these areas are engorged with blood due to increased volume and pressure, they leak fluid and are unable to reabsorb fluid from the surrounding tissues.
- This causes pulmonary odema where the lung tissues and alveoli become full of interstitial fluid
- This results in lack of gas exchange and desaturation.
aetiology of acute left ventricular failure
iatrogenic - aggressive IV fluids in frail people with impaired left ventricular function
sepsis
MI - think if flash pulmonary oedema
arrythmias
clinical features of acute left ventricular failure
- rapid SOB
- looking unwell
- dry cough - due to irritation of pleura
- inc RR
- reduce O2 sat
- tachycardia
- 3rd HS
- bilateral pulmonary basal crackles
- hypotensions in severe cases
- cold and clammy due to peripheral shutdown
signs of underlying causes
- chest pain in ACS
- fever in sepsis
- palpitation in arrrythmias
if RHS failure as well
- raised JVP
- peripheral oedema
ix for acute left ventricular failure
ECG - arrythmias and ischaemias
ABG - low o2, high co2
bloods - FBC, U&Es, LFT, CRP, BNP, Trop
CXR - pulmonary oedema pictures - Kerley B line, cardiomegaly, dilated upper lobe vessels, pleural effusions
ECHO - main measure of left ventricular function is ejection fractions, <40 = LHeart failure
management for acute ventricular failure
A-E approach
PODMAN
Position pt - sit up oxygen Diuretics - furosemide 40mg IV + fluids restrction morphine - consider anti-emetics - consider nitrites - consider
other consideration
- nitrate (must have SBP > 90) - for MI, severe HTN, aortic regurg or mitral stenosis
- IV opiates to act as vasodilator
- CPAP if dyspnoea and acidaemia
- inotropes - those with potentially reversible cardiogenic shock
what are some causes of secondary hypertension
renal disease - glomerulonephritis, pylonephritis, PCKD)
endocrine disease - Cushing’s, Conn’s, acromegaly, hyperPTH, pheochromocytoma, hyperthyroidism
other
- pregnancy
- steriods
- coarctation
- OCP
what is chronic cardiac failure?
the ability of the heart to maintain the circulation of blood is impaired as a result of a structural or functional impairment of ventricular filling or ejection