Cardiology 1 Flashcards
What is a channelopathy?
A genetic disorder in which the electrical activity of the heart is abnormal, but the heart is structurally normal.
When do symptoms first appear in channelopathies?
30-40 years
What is the cause of Brugada syndrome, a type of channelopathy?
Cardiac sodium channelopathy (SCN5A gene)
Autosomal dominant inheritance but can be a new mutation.
How does Brugada syndrome cause arrhythmias?
Abnormally slow conduction in the heart - decreased flow of Na+ ions changes the AP, slowing conduction.
“Short circuits” form, causing wavebreak and causing re-entry (U-turns).
What are the symptoms of channelopathies?
May be asymptomatic Syncope Sudden cardiac death Palpitations Chest pain Breathlessness or dizziness
How is syncope caused by a channelopathy?
Brief arrhythmias revert to a normal rhythm spontaneously OR vasovagal syncope.
In Brugada syndrome, when do arrhythmias occur?
At rest
Following a heavy meal
Fever/alcohol
When vagus nerve is activated
How is Brugada syndrome diagnosed?
Genetic testing
ECG with or without flecainide (provocation test):
Brugada sign: coved ST segment elevation >2mm in >1 of V1-V3 followed by a negative T wave
What must Brugada sign be associated with to diagnose channelopathies?
One of:
- Documented VF or polymorphic VT
- FH of SCD<45 years
- FH of similar ECG
- Syncope
Which arrhythmias may be caused by a Brugada syndrome?
Ventricular fibrillation
Polymorphic ventricular tachycardia
AV nodal re-entrant tachycardia
Sinus node dysfunction
As part of the treatment of Brugada syndrome, what triggers must be avoided?
Fever Alcohol and drugs Dehydration Tricyclics, anaesthetics, sodium channel blockers (flecainide) CCBs
What is the main treatment of Brugada Syndrome?
Implantable cardiac defibrillator
If not appropriate - quinidine
What is a normal QT interval?
<440ms (two large squares)
What are the risks of prolonged QT syndrome?
Delayed repolarization of the heart following a heart beat increases the risk of toursades des pointes episodes
What are the congenital causes of LQTS?
Cardiac ion channel mutation:
Jervell and Lange Nielson syndrome
Romano-Ward syndrome
What are the acquired causes of LQTS?
Low Ca/K/Mg Drugs: amiodarone, TCAs, SSRIs MI 3rd degree heart block Fasting and bradycardia
What are the subtypes of LQTS?
Potassium channel: risk of SCD when patient is startled or awoken suddenly
Sodium channel: risk of SCD when patient is sleeping
What are the symptoms of LQTS?
Syncope and palpitations as a result of polymorphic VT
Nausea, pallor, dyspnoea, chest pain
What is seen on the ECG in LQTS?
QTc>440m/s
Toursades des points
Degeneration into sustained VT or VF
What is the treatment of congenital LQTS?
Propanolol (unless bradycardic)
Pacing
ICD
Why is propranolol contra-indicated in acquired LQTS?
Bradycardia can precipitate toursades.
What is the treatment of toursades des pointes?
IV magnesium sulphate
Temporary atrial pacing to increase HR and reduce QT
Correct predisposing factor e.g. QT prolonging drug
IV isoprenaline
Define cardiomyopathy.
Myocardial disorder in which the heart muscle in structurally and functionally abnormal without coronary artery disease, hypertension, valvular, or congenital heart diseases.
How can cardiomyopathies present?
Heart failure
Arrhythmias
SCD
Thromboembolism
What is the most common form of cardiomyopathy?
Dilated cardiomyopathy
What is the hallmark of dilated cardiomyopathy?
Left or both ventricles are dilated with impaired systolic function
What are the causes of dilated cardiomyopathy?
Idiopathic
Familial
Alcoholic
What is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?
Left or right sided hypertrophy leading to LV outflow obstruction
What is affected in restrictive cardiomyopathy?
Diastolic filling
What is the pathophysiology of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy?
Fatty and fibrous replacement of ventricular myocardium
Prolonged isometric training may result in athlete’s heart which may have features of…
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
What is seen on CXR in cardiomyopathy?
Cardiomegaly
What is seen on ECG in cardiomyopathy?
T wave inversion
ST changes
LVHT
What investigation differentiates between the different types of cardiomyopathy?
Transthoracic echo
What are the aims of treatment in cardiomyopathy?
Symptomatic
Treat heart failure
Prevent thromboembolism
What is the treatment of cardiomyopathies?
BB
Verapamil
ICD
Cardiac Tx
What are the indications for amiodarone in cardiomyopathy?
Massive LVHT
Family history SCD
Unexplained syncope
VT
What is infective endocarditis?
Infection of the endocardium, cardiac valves, intrathoracic vessels and prostheses.
What are the effects of infective endocarditis?
Valvular insufficiency
Systemic emboli
What are the two factors required for development of infective endocarditis?
Bacteraemia
Abnormal cardiac endothelium
Name three risk factors that cause bacteraemia and therefore infective endocarditis.
Poor dental hygiene - s.viridans
IV drug use - s.aureus
Cardiac surgery - s.epidermis
Name some causes of abnormal cardiac endothelium.
Valvular disease including replacement
Structural heart disease
Hypertrophic CMY
What are the most common organisms in infective endocarditis?
S.aureus
S.viridans
What are the symptoms of infective endocarditis?
Fever
New/changing murmur
CCF
Pleuritic or back pain