Cardio paces Flashcards
Classifying AF
Paroxysmal - recurrent episodes lasting longer than 30s but less than 7 days, self terminating
Persistent - lasting longer than 7 days or <7 days but requiring pharmacological/electrical cardioversion
Permanent- fails to terminate using cardioversion or is terminated but relapses within 24 hrs or long standing AF where cardioversion is not indicated or has not been attempted
Pathophysiology of AF
Rapidly firing foci cause propagating wavelets which lead to re-entrant circuits in the abnormal atrial myocardium. The AVN receives more electrical impulses than it can conduct whichleads to irregular ventricular rhythm
Investigations for AF
Bloods inc. FBC, all electrolytes and TFTS
ECG
echo
CXR
Clinical signs of aortic stenosis
Slow rising, low volume pulse
Narrow pulse pressure
Thrill in the aortic area
Crescendo/decrescendo ejection systolic murmur loudest in the aortic area during expiration and radiated to the carotids
Anaemia (chronic disease, angiodysplasia/Heyde syndrome)
Clinical findings of severe aortic stenosis
Soft and delayed A2
Delayed ejection systolic murmur
Fourth heart sound
High pitch
Evidence of cardiac failure
Differential diagnosis for systolic murmur
Aortic stenosis
Aortic sclerosis (shorter, softer, no radiation)
Mitral regurgitation ( pansystolic)
HOCM (young)
Pulmonary stenosis ( rare, young, >on inspiration)
VSD (post MI, high mortality)
Aetiology of aortic stenosis
-Degenerative and calcific (80% 70s and above)
- Bicupsid (presents younger 40s-60s)
- Rheumatic fever
Echo findings of severe aortic stenosis
- Peak gradient across the valve of > 64 or a mean gradient of > 40
- valve area <1
- Dimensionless index (ratio of LVOT velocity to aortic valve)
ECG findings of aortic stenosis
Left ventricular hypertrophy
LBBB
10% of patients who have a TAVI go on to have a pacemaker so important to know about re-existing conduction abnormalities
When to consider TAVI
75 or over unless technically not suitable ( bad PVD, bad coronary artery disease)
Or <75 and not suitable for surgery (chest radiation, previous sternotomy, chronic liver disease, pulmonary hypertension, LVSD)
Work up for valve replacement
Routine bloods
Lung function tests
Angiogram
For TAVI: TAVI CT
Complications of TAVI
Conduction abnormality requiring PPM
Damage to vasculature
Stroke
MI
Signs of prosthetic valve
- Midline sternotomy scar without evidence of vein harvesting scar
- AF
- Infective endocarditis signs
- Bruising suggesting warfarin use
- Audible and palpable prosthetic click
- PPM ( 10% of pts with aortic valve replacement require PPM due to damage to AVN)
- Metallic aortic valve will have a soft systolic murmur (AR or loud AS would be abnormal)
Pros and cons of metallic vs. tissue valve
Metallic: more durable, life long Warfarin
Tissue: no warfarin, less durable (10-15 yrs)
Complications of valve replacement
Thromboembolism
Bleeding on warfarin
Haemolysis
Infective endocarditis
- <2 months post op staph epidermis is from the skin
- late infections are strep viridans by haematogenous spread
AF particularly if MVR
What INR range for metallic valve
Does depend on valve type
Mitral ball socket valve requires higher INR: 3-4
Bileaflet mitral: 2.5-3.5
Bileaflet aortic: 2-3
Clinical signs of tricuspid regurgitation
Raised JVP with giant CV waves
Thrill left sternal edge
Pansystolic murmur loudest at the lower left sternal edge loudest on inspiration
Causes of tricuspid regurgitation
Congenital: Ebstein’s anomaly (tricuspid valve dysplasia with a more apical position to the valve
Acquired: IE, functional due to right ventricular dilatation ( most common), rheumatic fever or carcinoid syndrome (would be associated with nodular hepatomegaly and telangiectasia)
How does tricuspid regurgitation present?
Pulsation sensation in the neck
Signs of right heart failure eg. Peripheral oedema and ascites
Investigations for tricuspid regurgitation
CXR: prominent right heart border due to enlarged right atrium
ECG: p-pulmonale, RVH
Echo
Treatment of tricuspid regurgitation
Diuretics, b blocker, ACEi
Valve repair or annuloplasty
Clinical signs of mitral regurgitation
AF, low volume pulse
Displaced apex beat
Thrill at apex
Pansystolic/ mid to late systolic murmur loudest at the apex radiating to the axilla loudest in expiration
May have raised JVP but this is normally related to co-existing TR
Causes of mitral regurgitation
Congenital
Dilated left ventricle
Calcification
Fibrosis
BE
Rheumatic
Connective tissue disorder
Post - MI
Amyloidosis
Investigating MR
ECG: p- mitrale, AF, prev. infarction
CXR: cardiomegaly, enlargement of the left atrium and pulmonary oedema
Echo
Treatment for MR
If mild to mod- monitor with 2 yearly Echo.
Need to intervene early
Intervention guided by severity, symptoms, pulmonary hypertension and left ventricular function.
Mitral clip
Valve repair
Valve replacement
Signs of mitral valve prolapse
Young, tall patient
Associated with connective tissue disease (Marfans) and HOCM
Late systolic murmur with early systolic ejection click
Murmur accentuated by standing from a squatting position or straining
Evidence of severe mitral regurgitation
AF
Thrusting displaced apex beat
Palpable thrill
Pansystolic murmur
Echo findings both direct and indirect (LV impairment)
Aetiology of Marfans
Caused by mutations in the fibrillin-1 gene:
75% of mutations are autosomal dominant
25% of cases are spontaneous mutations and are associated with older paternal age
Pathophysiology of Marfans
Mutation in the FBN1 gene result in the production of abnormal fibrillin protein. This causes mechanical instability and loss of elasticity of connective tissues.
This results in aortic dilatation.
Investigating Marfans
Echo
CT or USS abdo
CXR for pneumothoracices
Slit lamp eye examination to assess for subluxed/dislocated lens or raised IOP
Fibrillin- 1 blood test
Management of Marfans
Surveillance of aortic roof size with annual echo
Surgical management of aortic root dilatation
B blockers and angiotensin receptor blocker to slow aortic root dilatation
Genetic counselling
Clinical signs of pulmonary stenosis
Raised JVP with giant A waves
Right parasternal heave
Thrill in the pulmonary area
Ejection systolic murmur loudest in the pulmonary area on inspiration
Radiates to infraclavicular region
Widely split second heart sound
Functional tricuspid regurgitation
Associated syndromes with pulmonary stenosis
- Tetralogy of Fallot ( PS, VSD, overriding aorta, and RVH)
- Noonans
- Carcinoid tumour ( the secreted mediators cause right- sided heart valve fibrosis causes tricuspid regurgitation and/or pulmonary stenosis)
Signs of noonans disease
Pulmonary stenosis
HOCM
Septal defects
Short stature
Learning difficulties
Pectus excavatum
Proptosis
Ptosis
Strabismus
Characteristic facial features
Clinical signs of Marfans
Tall with long extremities
Arachnodactyly ( can encircle their wrist with their thumb and little finger)
Hyperextendible joints
High arched palate
Pectus carinatum or excavatum
Scoliosis
Aortic regurgitation
Mitral valve prolapse
Coarctation
Inguinal hernia
Signs of ehlers danlos
Fragile skin
Hyperextensible skin
Joint hypermobility
Mitral valve prolapse
Evidence of surgery from aneurysmal rupture or bowel perforation
It is autosomal dominant
Conditions associated with a VSD
Edwards
Patau
Down’s
Turner
Holt Oram
Fetal alcohol syndrome
Tetralogy of Fallot ( right ventricular hypertrophy, overriding aorta, VSD, pulmonary stenosis)