Cardiology Flashcards
What is the definition of stable angina pectoris?
Mismatch of myocardial oxygen supply and demand results in recurrent transient episodes of chest pain due to myocardial ischaemia
What is the aetiology of stable angina pectoris?
Atheromatous plaque, coronary artery vasospasm (Prinzmetals)
What is the clinical presentation of stable angina pectoris?
Chest pain (heavy or tight, central pain which can radiate up the neck and down the arm, occurs upon exertion, and is relieved by rest or medication), breathlessness
What are the investigations of stable angina pectoris?
o ECG: Normal
o Coronary angiography: luminal narrowing
What is the treatment of stable angina pectoris?
Lifestyle modifications, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, aspirin, statins, ACE inhibitors, sublingual GTN spray, PCI, and CABG
What is the definition of unstable angina pectoris?
Prolonged angina at rest, new onset of severe angina, angina that is increasing in frequency, longer in duration, or lower in threshold
What is the aetiology of unstable angina pectoris?
Non-occlusive thrombus formation on an atheromatous plaque
What is the clinical presentation of unstable angina pectoris?
Heavy or tight, central chest pain with a crescendo pattern, which increases in frequency and severity, retrosternal chest pain which radiates to the jaw, arm or neck, dyspnoea, fourth heart sound (S4)
What are the investigations of unstable angina pectoris?
o ECG: Normal or transient ST-segment depression
o Cardiac biomarkers: normal
o Coronary angiography: luminal narrowing
What is the treatment of unstable angina pectoris?
o Hospital: Oxygen, nitrates, morphine, beta blockers, aspirin
o Confirmed unstable angina: lifestyle modifications, aspirin, heparin, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, statins, ACE inhibitors, sublingual GTN spray
What is the definition of non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI)?
Necrosis of cardiac tissue due to prolonged myocardial ischaemia
What is the aetiology of non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI)?
Rupture of an atherosclerotic with subsequent arterial thrombosis which results in transient occlusion of a major coronary artery or near complete occlusion of a minor coronary artery
What is the clinical presentation of non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI)?
o Males: Chest pain (tightness, heaviness, aching, burning, pressure, or squeezing which is most often retrosternal and can radiate to the left arm but may also radiate to the lower jaw, neck, both arms, back, and epigastrium, where it may mimic heartburn)
o Females: Middle/upper back pain or dyspnoea
What are the investigations of non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI)?
o ECG: non-specific ST-T wave or ischemic changes
o Cardiac biomarkers: elevated troponin and creatine kinase
o Coronary angiogram: occlusion or near occlusion of the artery
What is the treatment of non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI)?
o Initial: 300mg Aspirin
o Hospital: morphine, oxygen, nitrates, aspirin and ticagrelor, PCI
o Long-term: lifestyle modifications, aspirin, clopidogrel, anti-coagulation (fondaparinux or heparin), ACE inhibitor, beta blocker
What is the definition of ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)?
Necrosis of cardiac tissue due to prolonged myocardial ischaemia
What is the aetiology of ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)?
Rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque and subsequent arterial thrombosis in a major coronary artery
What is the clinical presentation of ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)?
Chest pain (diffuse, severe chest pain that can occur at rest or with exertion, is heavy in nature, located centrally with radiation to the left arm or jaw, and lasts for at least 20 minutes), dyspnoea, pallor, diaphoresis, cardiogenic shock
What are the investigations of ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)?
o ECG: ST elevation in two or more leads and tall T waves
o Cardiac biomarkers: elevated troponin and creatine kinase
o Plasma glucose: elevated
o Coronary angiogram: thrombus with occlusion of the artery
What is the treatment of ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)?
o Initial: 300mg Aspirin
o Hospital: morphine, oxygen, nitrates, aspirin and ticagrelor, PCI, thrombolysis (streptokinase)
o Long-term: lifestyle modifications, aspirin, clopidogrel and an anti-coagulant (fondaparinux or heparin), ACE inhibitor, beta blocker
What is the definition of heart failure?
Cardiac output is inadequate to deliver blood and oxygen at the rate the body needs to meet metabolic demands
What is the aetiology of heart failure?
o Left ventricular heart failure: systolic failure (IHD, myocardial infarction, dilated cardiomyopathy), diastolic failure (ventricular hypertrophy, aortic stenosis, constrictive pericarditis, tamponade, restrictive cardiomyopathy, and obesity)
o Right ventricular failure: pulmonary stenosis, pulmonary hypertension (cor pulmonale), pulmonary embolism, COPD
What is the pathophysiology of heart failure?
Myocardial failure leads to a reduction in blood ejected which increases the ventricular load and causes hypertrophy. Hypertrophy increases the myocardial demand and leads to ischemia, patchy fibrosis, stiffness, and reduced contractibility. The ventricles stretch and dilate, increasing the force required to maintain the cardiac output. The myocytes become damaged and weakened, reducing the cardiac output. The decreased cardiac output activates the RAAS and leads to sodium and water retention and thus fluid build-up.
What is the clinical presentation of heart failure?
Shortness of breath, fatigue, peripheral oedema
What are the investigations of heart failure?
o BNP: elevated
o Echocardiogram: structural and functional abnormalities
o Chest X-ray: alveolar oedema (bat wing shadowing), Kerley B lines, cardiomegaly, dilated upper lobe vessels, effusions
What is the treatment of heart failure?
o Acute: ventilation, IV diuretics, IV inotropes and vasopressors, IV nitrates
o Chronic: lifestyle modifications, diuretics, ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, aldosterone antagonists, ARB, hydralazine and nitrate, digoxin
What is the definition of hypertension?
An elevated blood pressure, ≥140/90 mmHg
What is the aetiology of hypertension?
o Primary: no identifiable cause
o Secondary: primary aldosteronism, phaeochromocytoma, Cushing’s syndrome, acromegaly
What is the clinical presentation of hypertension?
Asymptomatic, headache
What are the investigations of hypertension?
o Blood pressure: ≥140/90 mmHg
o 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM): ≥135/85 mmHg
What is the treatment of hypertension?
o <55, not of Afro-Caribbean origin, type II diabetes: ACEi or ARB -> CCB -> thiazide-like diuretic
o >55, Afro-Caribbean origin: CCB -> ACEi or ARB -> thiazide-like diuretic
o Resistant hypertension: Spironolactone, alpha blocker, beta blocker
What is the definition of sinus bradycardia?
Heart rhythm slower than 60 bpm
What is the aetiology of sinus bradycardia?
Drugs, infection, hypothyroidism, hypothermia
What is the clinical presentation of sinus bradycardia?
Asymptomatic, dizziness, syncope, fatigue, exercise intolerance, shortness of breath, jugular venous distention
What are the investigations of sinus bradycardia?
ECG: regular rhythm, narrow QRS, rate < 60 bpm
What is the treatment of sinus bradycardia?
o < 40 bpm and acutely symptomatic: IV atropine
o < 40 and persistently symptomatic: pacemaker
What is the definition of sinus tachycardia?
Heart rhythm faster than 100 bpm
What is the aetiology of sinus tachycardia?
Physiological (exercise, excitement, anxiety), pathological (hyperthyroidism, pulmonary embolism, fever, pain, anaemia, hypovolaemia, drugs)
What is the clinical presentation of sinus tachycardia?
Asymptomatic, palpitations, dizziness
What are the investigations of sinus tachycardia?
ECG: regular rhythm, narrow QRS, rate > 100 bpm
What is the treatment of sinus tachycardia?
o Acute: adenosine, digoxin, atenolol, verapamil, amiodarone, carotid massage (if haemodynamically stable)
o Long-term: Beta blockers, non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (diltiazem, verapamil)
What is the definition of atrial flutter?
Macro re-entrant atrial tachycardia with atrial rates usually above 250 bpm, but up to 320 bpm
What is the aetiology of atrial flutter?
Structural or functional conduction abnormalities
What is the clinical presentation of atrial flutter?
Worsening heart failure or pulmonary symptoms, jugular venous pulsations with rapid flutter waves
What are the investigations of atrial flutter?
ECG: P waves at around 300 bpm in a saw-tooth pattern, more P waves than QRS complexes
What is the treatment of atrial flutter?
Beta blockers, cardioversion, catheter ablation of the re-entrant circuit
What is the definition of atrial fibrillation?
Supraventricular tachyarrhythmia which is characterised by uncoordinated atrial activity
What is the aetiology of atrial fibrillation?
Ischaemic heart disease, hypertension, heart failure, valvular disease, diabetes, thyroid disorders COPD, obstructive sleep apnoea
What is the pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation?
Dilation of the atria with fibrosis and inflammation causes a difference in refractory periods within the atrial tissue and promotes electrical re-entry that results in atrial fibrillation
What is the clinical presentation of atrial fibrillation?
Asymptomatic, palpitations, chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, syncope
What are the investigations of atrial fibrillation?
ECG: irregularly irregular rhythm, absent P waves, absence of isoelectric baseline, fibrillatory waves
What is the treatment of atrial fibrillation?
Rhythm control (beta blockers, digoxin), rate control (amiodarone, flecainide)
What score assess the risk of thrombosis in atrial fibrillation?
CHA2DS2-VASc
What is the definition of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome?
Congenital myocardial fibres capable of conducting electrical impulses connect the atrium to the ipsilateral ventricle
What is the clinical presentation of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome?
Atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain
What are the investigations of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome?
ECG: short PR interval, wide QRS complex, delta wave (slurring of the QRS upstroke)
What is the treatment of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome?
Vagal manoeuvre, adenosine, radiofrequency ablation of accessory pathway
What is the definition of ventricular tachycardia?
Wide complex tachycardia that originates from one of the ventricles, at a rate of 100 bpm or greater
What is the pathophysiology of ventricular tachycardia?
An ectopic focus in the ventricle depolarises with high frequency and spreads excitation through the abnormal pathway which leads to a wide QRS complex as the pathway is a less organised system
What is the clinical presentation of ventricular tachycardia?
Asymptomatic, tachycardia, hypotension