Cardiology Flashcards
Commonest site for atrial myxomas?
Left atrium (75%)
Symptoms of atrial myxomas?
Systemic – SOB, fatigue, WL, pyrexia of unknown origin
Emboli
Mitral valve obstruction
AF
Type of murmur with atrial myxomas?
Mid-diastolic murmur
What would you see on echo in atrial myxomas?
pedunculated heterogenous mass typically attached to the fossa ovalis region of the interatrial septum
Management of atrial myxomas?
Untreated, may result in thrombus + embolism
Surgery
ECG signs in PE?
Sinus tachy
a large S wave in lead I, a large Q wave in lead III and an inverted T wave in lead III - ‘S1Q3T3’ (<20%)
RBBB and right axis deviation
What features in the pulmonary embolic rule-out criteria (PERC)?
Age >50 HR >100 SpO2 <95% Prev DVT/PE Recent surgery/trauma Haemoptysis Unilateral leg swelling Oestrogen use
If all are absent, then probability of PE <2%
Well’s score for PE?
Clinical signs and symptoms of DVT: 3
Alt Dx is less likely: 3
HR > 100: 1.5
Immobilisation >3d or surgery in the prev 4wks: 1.5
Prev DVT/PE: 1.5
Haemoptysis: 1
Malignancy (on Tx, Tx in the last 6 months, or palliative): 1
Use of results of well’s score?
PE likely - more than 4 points
PE unlikely - 4 points or less
> 4: immediate CTPA, if there will be a delay give DOAC
If CTPA negative, consider need for doppler
Less than or =4: d-dimer, if there will be a delay give DOAC
When would you use a V/Q scan > CTPA?
In renal impairment (no contrast given)
What is the most common type of congenital heart defect seen in adults?
Atrial septal defects
What is the most common type of ASD? What condition is this type associated with? What ECG changes might occur?
Ostium secundum (70%)
Associated with Holt-Oram syndrome (tri-phalangeal thumbs)
RBBB with RAD
Remember:
First most common
Second(um) ostium
Tri(phalangeal thumbs)
What is the OTHER of ASD (less common)? What condition is this type associated with? What ECG changes might occur?
Ostium primum
Presents earlier
Associated with abnormal AV valves
Found in 20% of patients with Downs Syndrome
ECG: RBBB with LAD, prolonged PR interval
What are the features on examination of ASD?
Ejection systolic murmur (occurs because of the flow through the pulmonary valve)
Fixed splitting S2 (because of more blood in R ventricle causing delayed closure of the pulmonary valve)
DVLA guidance: Cath ablation Pacemaker + angioplasty CABG + ACS + ICD prophylaxis Heart Tx ICD for ventricular arrhythmia Group 2 ban? Aortic aneurysm Angina + HTN with SE
DVLA guidance: Cath ablation - 2 days Pacemaker + angioplasty - 1wk CABG + ACS + ICD prophylaxis - 4wks Heart Tx - 6wks ICD for ventricular arrhythmia - 6m Group 2 ban? - For HTN >180/100 Aortic aneurysm >6cm - inform DVLA AA >6.5cm - ban Angina + HTN with SE - stop if angina occurs at rest or HTN with unacceptable SEs
RFs for IE?
Strongest = prev IE Rheumatic valve disease Prosthetic valves Congenital heart defects IVDU (typically tricuspid lesion)
Causative organism for IE?
In LICs = strep viridans
Most © is now staph aureus
If patients have indwelling lines/following valve surgery, most © staph epidermidis (if <2 months since op)
If culture negative, consider Coxiella burnetti
Strep bovis (assoc with colorectal cancer)
Non-infective – SLE, malignancy
Vascular + immunological phenomena for IE?
Vasc: emboli, splenomegaly, clubbing, splinter haemorrhages, Janeway lesions, petechiae/purpura
Imm: glomerulonephritis, osler’s nodes, roth spots
Treatment of IE?
Blind therapy
o Own valve – amoxicillin
o If prosthetic – vancomycin + rifampicin + gentamicin
Staph
o Own – flucloxacillin
o Prosthetic – flucloxacillin + rifampicin + gentamicin
Strep viridans
o Benzylpenicillin (if caused by less sensitive strep, add low-dose gentamicin)
Indications for surgery in IE?
Severe valvular incompetence
Aortic abscess (lengthening PR interval)
Infections resistant to abx/fungal infections
Cardiac failure refractory to standard medical treatment
Recurrent emboli after antibiotic therapy
Poor prognostic factors in IE?
Staph aureus (30% mortality)
Prosthetic valve
Culture negative endocarditis
Low complement levels
Who should receive prophylaxis for IE?
Any episode of infection in people at risk of IE should be investigated and treated promptly to reduce risk of endocarditis developing
If at risk of IE and already receiving an abx because they are undergoing GI/GU procedure, they should be given an antibiotic that covers organisms that cause IE
Drug causes of long QT?
STOMACHS EA
- Amiodarone, sotalol
- TCA, SSRIs
- Methadone
- Chloroquine
- Terfenadine
- Erythromycin
- Haloperidol
- Ondansetron
Causes of long QT (other than drugs)?
- Low Ca/K/Mg
- Acute MI, myocarditis
- Hypothermia
- SAH
Different between Long QT1-3?
Long QT1 – assoc with exertional syncope, often swimming
Long QT2 – assoc with syncope following emotional stress, exercise, auditory stimuli
Long QT3 – often occur at night/rest
More deadly as they go down
Management of Long QT?
Avoid drugs which prolong QT/other precipitants
B-blockers (not sotalol)
Implantable cardioverter defib in high risk cases
Normal QT for M/F? And risk of QT?
Normal = <430ms in M and <450ms in F
May lead to vent tachy -> torsades de points -> collapse/death
What are the possible complications following an MI?
Tachyarrythmias – VF/VT Cardiac arrest following VF Cardiogenic shock Chronic heart failure Bradyarrythmias - AV block Pericarditis Left ventricular aneurysm Left ventricular free wall rupture VSD Acute mitral regurgitation
What is Dressler’s syndrome?
2-3 weeks post-MI
Type of pericarditis
AI reaction against antigenic proteins which form as the myocardium recovers following an MI
Develop fever, pleuritic pain, pericardial effusion and raised ESR
Tx NSAIDS
What may occur in a left vent aneurysm following MI? What are the ECG changes?
persistent ST elevation + LVF, thrombus may form in aneurysm so need anticoagulating
What occurs in left vent free wall rupture?
Occurs 1-2wks after MI, acute HF secondary to cardiac tamponade (Tx urgent pericardiocentesis + thoracotomy)
What symptoms/management of a VSD following MI
occurs in first week, acute HF with pan-systolic murmur, Ix = echo ,Tx = surgical
What occurs in acute mitral regurg following MI? What type of murmur and how to treat?
due to ischaemia or rupture of papillary muscles. Acute hypotension + pulm oedema occur, early-to-mid systolic murmur, Tx = vasodilator therapy/surgical repair
What are the symptoms of malignant HTN and who is it more common in?
More common in younger pts, blacks
Develops rapidly, HTN (>200/130)
Symptoms: headaches +/- visual disturbances, bilateral retinal haemorrhages + exudates, protein/haematuria, chest pain/SOB, can lead to cerebral oedema and encephalopathy
Management of malignant HTN?
Reduce diastolic no lower than 100 within 12-24hrs
Bed rest
Atenolol
If severe/encephalopathic: IV sodium nitroprusside (vasodilator)/labetolol
What are the RFs for AF?
- Hypertension
- Coronary artery disease
- Valvular heart disease
- Sepsis/viral illness
- Alcohol
- PE
- Thyrotoxicosis
- MI/IHD
Rate control for AF?
Favourable factors: >65, ischaemic heart disease
Beta-blockers or rate-limiting Ca channel blockers (diltiazem)
If this fails, combine two of: B-blocker, diltiazem or digoxin (preferred in the elderly/those with co-existing heart failure)
Digoxin as a monotherapy is only acceptable in sedentary patients
Rhythm control for AF?
Favourable factors: <65, symptomatic, first presentation, lone AF or secondary to corrected precipitates (alcohol), congestive cardiac failure
1. Do Echo
2. Pre-treat for at least 4 weeks with sotalol/amiodarone if really high risk of failure (e.g. previous failure/previous recurrence)
If new onset, consider cardioversion (need anticoagulation for 4/52 first – then to continue for 4/52 afterwards)
Drug cardioversion: IV amiodarone or PO/IV flecainide (not if structural heart defect)
Electrical cardioversion: synchronise to R wave
Drugs used to maintain sinus rhythm after AF cardioversion?
B-blockers, dronedarone (class 3 anti-arrhythmic), amiodarone (BAD to go back into AF)
Use amidarone for all 3 steps - preTx if at high risk of recurrent, to chemically anticardiovert and for maintenance
CHA2DS2VASC score and resulting actions?
Look up
1 – consider anticoagulation if male
≥2 – offer anticoagulation: NOAC / Warfarin (INR 2-3)
>3 – high risk of bleeding
CI to warfarin in AF?
- Bleeding tendency
- Low platelets
- Consistently high BP
- Compliance or monitoring issues
ORBIT score and resulting actions?
Haemoglobin level +2
History of bleeding +2
Age >74 +1
GFR <60 +1
Tx with antiplatelets +1
0-2 – low risk
3 – medium
4-7 – high risk
Indications for temporary pacemaker?
symptomatic/haemodynamically unstable bradycardia, not responding to atropine
post-ANTERIOR MI: type 2 or complete heart block (not post-inferior MI)
trifascicular block prior to surgery
Management of bradycardia?
If asymptomatic and rate >40bpm, no treatment
Treat cause (drugs, hypothyroidism)
If rate <40bpm or patient is symptomatic, give atropine
If no response, can either:
• More atropine
• Initiate transcutaneous pacing (similar to a defibrillators but smaller shocks)
• Isoprenaline infusion (similar to adrenaline)
Adverse features in bradycardia?
Shock, syncope, MI, HF
What is MOA of nicorandil? And SEs?
Potassium channel activator
SEs: can cause ulceration from mouth -> anus
Headache, flushing
Which two medications should not be prescribed together for risk of complete heart block?
Verapamil and B-blockers
Management of stable angina?
1) Lifestyle changes
2) Medication
ASPIRIN
STATIN
GTN SPRAY
B-blocker/CCB or both
- If CCB used alone – use RL
- If used in combination, use nifedipine/amlodipine
If only on one of the above, consider - long-acting nitrate, ivabradine, ranolazine or nicorandil
If taking B-blocker and CCB – add third drug and list for PCI/CABG
Where does BNP come from?
secreted by left ventricle in response to excessive stretching of myocytes
Effects of BNP?
Aim to lower BP to put less strain on the heart. Has 4 effects:
Vasodilator
Diuretic (water excretion) + natriuretic (Na excretion)
Suppresses the SNS
Inhibition of the RAAS system
What can BNP be used for?
Excluding HF if <100
Marker of prognosis in chronic HF
Guiding treatment in chronic HF
What causes high BNP?
Increased strain on the heart, so:
General ageing
Any cause of LV dysfunction - hypertrophy, ischaemia
Or generalised CCF
Problems with excretion:
CKD (reduced excretion)
Liver cirrhosis
Also DM
What causes low BNP?
Medications that reduce your blood pressure:
ACEi, ARBs, diuretics, B-blockers
Also obesity
In which patients should you avoid the use of RL CCB?
Patient with HF as inotropic effects of CCB decrease the force + speed of contraction
Also in patients with bradycardia
Management of SVT?
Vagal manoeuvres IV adenosine, 6mg then 12mg, then 18mg Verapamil – give in asthmatics (adenosine CI) DC shock if compromised Prevention: B-blockers/ablation
In which co-morbidity should adenosine be avoided in?
Asthmatics due to possible bronchospasm
Effect of adenosine?
causes transient heart block in the AV node
What enhances and blocks the effect of adenosine?
DEAR
dipyridamole enhances, aminophylline reduces
SEs of ACEi?
cough - due to increased bradykinin levels
angioedema: may occur up to a year after starting treatment
hyperkalaemia
first-dose hypotension: more common in patients taking diuretics
ACE:
Angioedema
Cough
Elevated K
CI for starting ACEi?
Think of the SEs
Pregnancy and breastfeeding - avoid
renovascular disease - may result in renal impairment
AORTIC STENOSIS - may result in hypotension
hereditary of idiopathic angioedema
specialist advice should be sought before starting ACE inhibitors in patients with a potassium >= 5.0 mmol/L
End-organ damage in HTN?
- Eyes: Retinopathy
- Cardiac: LVH
- Kidney: Proteinuria
- Neuro: Headache, Nausea, Vomiting
Stage 1 HTN and Mx?
Clinic: >140/90 Home: >135/85 Tx if <80 years old AND any of the following*: • Target organ damage • Established CVS disease • Renal disease • Diabetes • 10 year cardiovascular risk of 10%+ (QRISK2 score)
TERD10
Stage 2 HTN?
Treat all if:
Clinic: >160/100
Home: >150/95
Target BP if >80? Target if DM?
> 80: 150/90
DM: 130/90
What is an ‘a’ wave on JVP and why might it be enlarged?
= normal, atrial contraction
large if atrial pressure e.g. tricuspid stenosis, pulmonary stenosis, pulmonary hypertension
absent if in AF as weak contraction
What is a cannon ‘a’ wave on JVP?
= caused by atrial contractions against a closed tricuspid valve Seen in: complete heart block ventricular tachycardia/ectopics Nodal rhythm Single chamber ventricular pacing
What does the ‘c’ wave represent in JVP?
closure of tricuspid valve
not normally visible
What is the ‘v’ wave in JVP and when might it be enlarged?
due to passive filling of blood into the atrium against a closed tricuspid valve
giant v waves in tricuspid regurgitation
MOA of dipyridamole?
inhibits phosphodiesterase
ST elevation in V1-V4?
Anteroseptal, LAD
ST elevation in II, III, aVF?
Inferior, right coronary
ST elevation in V4-6, I, aVL?
Anterolateral, LAD or left circumflex
ST elevation in I, aVL +/- V5-6?
Left circumflex
Tall R waves in V1-2?
Usually left circumflex, also R coronary
Which medication should NOT be used in VT?
Verapamil - vasodilator: risk of causing significant hypotension, ventricular fibrillation and cardiac arrest
How to treat VT?
amiodarone: ideally administered through a central line
lidocaine: use with caution in severe left ventricular impairment
procainamide
If drugs fail: ICD
Poor prognostic factors in HOCM?
syncope FH of sudden death young age at presentation non-sustained VT on 24 or 48-hour Holter monitoring abnormal BP changes on exercise
Inheritance and pathophysiology of HOCM?
Caused by mutation in the gene encoding B-myosin heavy chain protein or myosin-binding protein C
Left ventricular hypertrophy -> decreased cardiac output
50% are genetic – autosomal dominant inheritance, may be spontaneous
Presentation of HOCM and signs? Murmur and what makes it louder/quieter? JVP?
May present at any age
Sudden death (© d/t vent arrhythmias)
Angina, exertional dyspnoea, palpitations, syncope (typically following exercise), CCF
Large ‘a’ wave
Harsh ejection systolic murmur
- Increased on Valsava manoeuvre and decreases on squatting
ECG changes in HOCM?
LVH, non-spec ST/T wave abnormalities, deep Q waves, AF on occasions
Echo changes in HOCM?
MR SAM ASH
Mitral regurg (MR)
Systolic anterior motion (SAM) of the anterior MV leaflet
Asymmetrical hypertrophy (ASH)
HOCM management?
Amiodarone – for arrythmias B-blockers or verapamil for symptoms – aim to reduce ventricular contractility Cardioverter defib Dual chamber pacemaker Endocarditis prophylaxis
What drugs to avoid in HOCM?
nitrates/ACEi
What conditions in HOCM associated with?
Friedreich’s ataxia, WPW syndrome
Why does amiodarone need a bolus dose?
Because it has a long half-life
Drugs with a long half-life are eliminated from the body slowly and only need a low maintenance dose to maintain appropriate therapeutic concentrations. However, this means that in the absence of a higher initial dose, it would take a long time for these drugs to reach a steady-state concentration
What is the MOA of amiodarone?
blocking potassium channels
How/what do you monitor patients taking amiodarone?
TFT, LFT, U&E, CXR prior to treatment
TFT, LFT every 6 months
SEs of amiodarone?
LEG PANIC
Live fibrosis/hepatitis
Extremities - peripheral neuropathy
Gynaecomastia
Pulmonary fibrosis/pneumonitis/photosensitivity
Abnormal thyroid: both hypo and hyperthyroidism
Nausea and vomiting
Injection site reactions/thrombophlebitis
Corneal deposits
MOA of aspirin?
Blocks COX1 and 2
Inhibits the production of thromboxane A2 -> decreased platelet aggregation
Also prostaglandins (NSAID effect)
MOA of clopidogrel?
Antagonist of the P2Y12 adenosine diphosphate (ADP) receptor, inhibiting the activation of platelets
MOA of abciximab, eptifibatide, tirofiban?
Glycoprotein 2b/3a receptor antagonists