Cardiology Flashcards
Causes of stable angina
Atherosclerosis Anaemia Aortic stenosis Tachyarrhythmias Arteritis
Risk factors for stable angina
Smoking Diet high in saturated fats and salt Obesity Lack of exercise Type A personally Alcohol HTN DM Cholesterol high Older age Male Fix ( MI<55yo) Genetic - hyperlipidaemia
Symptoms of stable angina
central chest pain (tight/heavy), brought on by exertion and relived by rest or GTN spray. Can radiate to one/both arms, neck, jaw or teeth.
o Precipitants for pain: exercise, emotion, cold weather, heavy meals
5 types of angina
Stable - induced by effort Unstable - at rest Decubitus Prinzmetals/variant Syndrome X/microvascular
What is decubitus angina?
angina on laying down
What is prinzmetals/variant angina?
coronary spasm causes angina at rest (ST^ on ECG). Tx = Calcium channel blocker + long-acting nitrate e.g. ivabradine
What is syndrome X/microvascular angina?
Angina symptoms & ST^ on exercise test but no evidence of coronary atherosclerosis on angiography.
?cause is abnormal dilator responses of coronary microvasculature. Difficult to treat.
Ix for stable angina
- Gold standard = angiography
- ECG = usually normal [may be evidence of previous MI - ST↓, flat/inverted T waves]
- Bloods = FBC (look for anaemia), U&E, lipids, glucose, ESR, TFTs
- ? Exercise ECG / ? Stress echocardiogram / ? myocardial perfusion scan
- Screen for risk factors – hypercholesterolaemia, HTN, DM
- Look for valve disease on examination
Mx for stable angina
- Lifestyle changes
- Medical
Anti-anginals:
• Glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) sublingual + either:
o Beta-blocker (atenolol)
o [or CCB if BB is contraindicated (verapamil)]
• 2nd line: BB + dihydropyridine CCB (amlodipine)
• 3rd line:
o Isosorbide mononitrate
o Slow-release nitrate: ivabradine / nicorandil / ranolazine
Prevention
• Aspirin
• ACEi (if angina + DM)
• Statins
• Antihypertensives - Non-medical: REVASCULARISATION (percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass grafting)
Complications of stable angina
MI, stroke
Types of ACS
- Unstable angina – angina at rest, no ECG changes/troponin elevation
- NSTEMI (non ST elevation myocardial infarction)– some obstruction of coronary artery with ^troponin/CK-MB but no ECG changes
- STEMI (ST elevation myocardial infraction)– obstruction of coronary artery causing infarction of heart muscle - ^ST on ECG & raised markers of myocardial damage (troponin)
Unstable angina pathology
Myocardial ischaemia at rest or on minimal exertion in the absence of acute cardiomyocyte injury or necrosis.
Unstable angina symptoms
- Chest pain
- Marked sweating
- Epigastric pain
- Dyspnoea
- Syncope
- Back pain
that is:
• prolonged (>20 mins) angina at rest,
• new onset severe angina,
• angina that is increasing in frequency/longer in duration/lower in threshold,
• or angina that occurs after a recent episode of MI.
Ix for unstable angina
No ST elevation on ECG + normal troponin levels = unstable angina
Acute management of unstable angina
- O2: aim for SpO2 94-98%
- 300mg aspirin
- GTN (spray, tablet or IV if pain continues)
- Analgesia: Morphine 5-10mg IV
- Anti-emetic: metoclopramide 10mg IV
- Anticoagulation – fondaparineux 2.5mg SC
- Assess cardiovascular risk & if high risk refer for PCI intervention
Long term management for unstable angina
- Beta blocker – anti-anginal medication. Bispoprolol
- GTN
- Dual antiplatelet therapy: aspirin + clopidogrel
- Consider:
a. ACEi (linsopril 2.5mg)
b. Statin
c. Aldosterone antagonist in heart failure e.g. eplerenone/spironolactone
What is an NSTEMI?
An acute ischaemic event causing myocyte necrosis. Encompasses a broad spectrum of ischaemic injury to the myocardium which is detected by elevation of troponin.
ECG changes for NSTEMI
may show ischaemic changes including ST depression, T wave changes or transient ST elevation OR may be normal.
Symptoms NSTEMI
- Central constricting chest pain with pain radiating to jaw or arms
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sweating
- Impending doom
- SOB
- Palpitations
- If diabetic/elderly – syncope, delirium, post op oliguria/hypotension
Ix for NSTEMI
Possible ECG changes –
- ST segment depression: worse prognosis
- Deep T wave inversion
- Pathological Q waves
- Transient ST elevation
High sensitivity troponin (hs-cTn) – elevated
Other Ix to consider:
- CXR
- FBC
- U&E
- LFT
- BMs
- CRP
- Echo
- Coronary angiography
What score is used to assess the need for PCI in NSTEMI?
GRACE Score
- The score gives a 6 month risk of death or repeat MI after having an NSTEMI
o <5% low risk
o 5-10% medium risk
o >10% high risk - Medium – high risk = early PCI (within 4 days of admission)
- Includes: age, heart rate, systolic BP, creatinine, cardiac arrest at admission, ST segment deviation on ECG, abnormal cardiac enzymes and the presence of certain symptoms (CHF, rales, pulmonary oedema, cardiogenic shock)
Mx for NSTEMI
BATMAN
- B = beta blockers
- A = aspirin 300mg
- T = ticagrelor 180mg (or clopidogrel 300mg)
- M = Morphine (titrated to control pain)
- A = Anticoagulant = fondaparinux
- N = Nitrates (GTN)
o Give fondaparinux if no immediate PCI planned
Secondary prevention following NSTEMI
6 As
- Aspirin 75mg OD
- Another antiplatelet = clopidogrel or ticagrelor for up to 12 months
- Atorvastatin 80mg OD
- ACEi e.g., ramipril
- Atenolol or another beta-blocker
- Aldosterone antagonist for those with heart failure (eplerenone)
STEMI pathology
Cardiac myocytes die due to ischaemia as a coronary artery is blocked
Symptoms of STEMI
- Chest pain - >20 mins, doesn’t respond to GTN, radiates down L arm/neck/jaw
- Pale, clammy, sweating
- In elderly or diabetic = dyspnoea, fatigue, pre-syncope, syncope
Criteria for a STEMI
- ST elevation >2mm (2 little squares) in 2 contiguous chest leads or >1mm (1 little square) in 2 contiguous limb leads (i.e. territorial)
- Symptoms of ACS for >20 mins with persistent ECG features in 2 or more contiguous leads:
• 2.5mm ST elevation in V2-3 in men under 40
• 2 mm ST elevation in V2-3 in men over 40
• 1.5 mm ST elevation in V2-3 in women
• 1mm ST elevation in other leads
• New LBBB
Posterior STEMI ECG changes and artery blocked?
Left circumflex and right coronary arteries blocked.
ST depression V1-V3
Tall broad R waves V1-V3
Dominant R wave in V2
Inverted T wave in aVR
Posterior infarction is confirmed by putting on posterior chest leads - V7-V9
Ix in STEMI
- ECG
- Cardiac enzymes
- Bloods
- Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE)
Anterior STEMI ECG changes and what artery is blocked?
Left anterior descending artery blocked
ST elevation in V1 - V4
Anterolateral STEMI ECG changes and what artery is blocked?
Left coronary artery blocked (that branches into LAD and circumflex artery)
ST elevation in lead I, aVL and V3-V6
Lateral STEMI ECG changes and what artery is blocked?
Circumflex artery blocked
ST elevation in Lead I, aVL and V5-6
Inferior STEMI ECG changes and what artery is blocked?
Right coronary artery blocked
ST elevation in II, II and aVF
What score is used to decide whether to admit someone from ED with ACS?
- HEART Score • History • ECG • Age • Risk factors • Troponin
Initial management of STEMI
- MONA – initial management of STEMI
• Morphine: only if needed and give with metoclopramide as it delays the absorption of antiplatelet drugs
• Oxygen: only to maintain sats
• Nitrates: sublingual or IV (used in cation in hypotensive patients)
• Aspirin: 300mg stat - In ED:
• Cardiac monitoring
• Load with P2Y12 inhibitor – ticagrelor or prasugrel
• 2nd line = clopidogrel
• Anticoagulation – fondaparinux
• Don’t give a beta blocker or ACEi at this stage without a specialist
Definitive management of STEMI
- Primary PCI within 12 hours – better than thrombolysis, majority of patients come straight from ambulance.
- thrombolysis - CI if after 24 hours from pain onset & other CIs remembered with AGAINST. Use streptokinase, alteplase or tenectaplase.
- If no repercussion therapy = fondaparinux
Follow up after a STEMI
• Clinic 1 month later
• Transthoracic echocardiogram
• Cardiac rehabilitation programme in community
• Smoking cessation
* DVT prophylaxis until fully mobile
* Statin
• GP to up titrate secondary prevention e.g. ramipril and bisoprolol
* Clopidogrel for up to 1 year
* continue aspirin 75mg
• Don’t drive for 1 week after PCI, 4 weeks if no PCI
What are 3 cardiac enzymes and protein markers used to Ix ACS?
o Serum troponin T = most important cardiac-specific marker for myocardial necrosis. The levels remain elevated for up to 10 days.
o Myoglobin is the first to rise.
o CK-MB = useful to look for reinfarction as it returns to normal after 2-3 days (while troponin T stays elevated for 10 days)
MI complications
- Death
- Heart failure
- Pericarditis – ECG shows saddle shaped ST elevation +/- PR depression
- Rupture – myomalacia cordis (means softening of the heart muscle)
- Arrhythmias: SVT, VT, VF, Sinus bradycardia, AV block, Ventricular bradycardia
- Aneurysm – ventricular
- Embolism
- Dressler’s syndrome
What are the 3 types of rupture seen following an MI?
a. L ventricular free wall rupture – seen in 3% of Mis. Occurs 1-2 weeks after MI. Presentation = acute HF secondary to cardiac tamponade (raised JVP, pulsus paradoxus, diminished heart sounds). Mx = pericardiocentesis & thoracotomy
b. Papillary muscle or chordae rupture: mitral regurgitation
c. Septum rupture
What is Dressler’s syndrome and how does it present?
a. AKA post myocardial infarction syndrome
b. 2-3 weeks after MI
c. Localised auto-immune response against antigenic proteins formed as the myocardium recovers that causes pericarditis
d. Presentation = pleuritic chest pain, low grade fever, pericardial rub, pericardial effusion and pericardial tamponade
What are the ECG changes, echo results and inflammatory markers seen with Dressler’s syndrome?
Global ST elevation and T wave inversion
Echo = pericardial effusion
Raised CRP and ESR
Mx for Dressler’s syndrome
NSAIDs, prednisolone, pericardiocentesis to remove fluid from around heart
What is an abdominal aortic aneurysm?
AAA is a permanent pathological dilation of the aorta with a diameter >1.5 times the expected anteroposterior diameter of that segment, given the patients sex and body size.
Commonly adopted threshold = diameter of 3cm or more
Pathology for AAA
They occur primarily because of elastic proteins within the extracellular matrix.
Aneurysms typically represent dilation of all layers of the arterial wall.
Most are caused by degenerative disease.
Most are infrarenal (e.g., below the origin of the renal arteries)
Risk factors for AAA
- SMOKING
- HTN & diabetes
- Family hx
- Male sex (men have a higher prevalence of AAA but women have a higher rate of AAA rupture than men)
- Syphilis
- Connective tissue diseases e.g., Elhers Danlos type 1, Marfan’s syndrome
Symptoms of AAA (not ruptured)
- Palpable pulsative abdominal mass
- Abdominal, flank or back pain
- Hypotension
- Frequently asymptomatic, presence of symptoms indicates rupture/impending rupture
- LOC
- Pallor
- Abdominal distention
- Fever
Symptoms of ruptured AAA
sudden collapse
persistent severe central abdominal pain with developing shock (mortality is 80%).
Grey Turners sign (flank bruising) if theres retroperitoneal bleeding
Ix for AAA
- For diagnosis = AORTIC USS
- Other Ix to consider:
o Cross match
o Clotting screen
o ESR / CRP
o FBC
o Blood cultures
o CT angiography for planning surgery
ECG = right coronary artery occlusion (inferior ECG changes: leads II, III and aVF)
Screening for AAA
– NHS screening for AAA for men over 65 yo, by abdominal USS. Findings dictate management:
- <3cm = no further follow up
- 3cm – 4.4 cm = yearly USS screening
- 4.5cm – 5.4 cm = 3 monthly USS screening
- > 5.4 cm = urgent two week wait referral to vascular surgeons
Mx for ruptured or symptomatic AAA
a. If there’s rupture: 20% rupture anteriorly into the peritoneal cavity (poor prognosis) & 80% rupture posteriorly into the retroperitoneal space
b. Surgical repair – endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) or open surgical repair
c. Resuscitation measures
d. Perioperative antibiotic therapy
e. Analgesia
f. VTE prophylaxis
Mx for incidental finding of asymptomatic AAA <5.5cm
a. Surveillance
b. Aggressive cardiovascular risk management
Mx for incidental finding of asymptomatic AAA >5.5cm or rapidly growing
a. Elective surgical repair
b. Preoperative cardiovascular risk reduction
c. Perioperative antibiotic therapy
d. Analgesia
e. VTE prophylaxis
What is aortic dissection?
Aortic dissection = separation in the aortic wall intima, causing blood flow into a new false channel composed of the inner and outer layers of the media.
TEAR IN THE TUNICA INTIMA OF THE WALL OF THE AORTA
How is aortic dissection classified?
Classification is anatomical, with 2 systems most used:
- Stanford
a. Type A = ascending aorta involved. 2/3rds cases.
b. Type B = ascending aorta NOT involved. Is descending aorta distal to L subclavian artery. 1/3rd cases. - DeBakey
a. Type I = involves ascending aorta, dissection extends into the arch and beyond
b. Type II = limited to ascending aorta, proximal to brachiocephalic artery
c. Type IIIa = involves descending thoracic aorta, distal to L subclavian artery, proximal to coeliac artery
d. Type IIIb = involves descending thoracic aorta and abdominal aorta
Causes of aortic dissection (congenital)
- Connective tissue disorders e.g., Marfan’s syndrome, Ehlers Danlos syndrome, osteogenesis imperfecta
- Turner’s syndrome
- Noonan’s syndrome
- Bicuspid aortic valve
- Metabolic disorders
Causes of aortic dissection (acquired)
- Arterial hypertension
- Syphilitic aortitis
- Pregnancy
- Trauma
- Iatrogenic – surgical aortic cannulation, aortic cross-clamp
- Cocaine use
Symptoms of aortic dissection
- Severe chest pain (tearing, maximal at onset) // asymptomatic
- Cardiac tamponade = Beck’s triad (raised JVP, muffled heart sounds, hypotension)
- Aortic regurgitation = diastolic murmur, wide pulse pressure, signs of heart failure
- Back and abdominal pain
- SOB
- Syncope / collapse
- Different BP L and R arm (>20 mmHg systolic)
- Neurological deficit
- Horner’s syndrome (miosis, ptosis, anhidrosis)
- Absent peripheral pulses
- Hypertension
What is Beck’s triad?
Raised JVP, muffled heart sounds and hypotension
Due to cardiac tamponade
Ix for aortic dissection
- CXR = widened mediastinum & L sided pleural effusion
- ECG = no changes / non-specific changes
- CT angiography CAP (definitive Ix)
False lumen = diagnostic
Good for planning surgery - Transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE)
Good if patient too risky to take to CT scanner
MX for aortic dissection (by Stanford type)
- Stanford type A
a. Emergency surgery in suitable patients
b. Get BP 100-120mmHg whilst awaiting surgery - Stanford type B
a. Uncomplicated = medical management – BP management (IV labetalol) and appropriate analgesia
b. Emergency surgery in Stanford type B with:
i. Intractable pain
ii. Rupture or impending rupture
iii. End organ damage / limb ischaemia
iv. Rapid progression
v. Marfan’s syndrome
Complications of aortic dissection
- Backwards tear = aortic incompetence / regurgitation, MI
- Forwards tear = unequal arm pulses and BP, stroke, renal failure
When can you hear a third heart sound?
heard after S2.
Normal in young healthy people. Is caused by rapid ventricular filling that causes the chordae tendinae to pull to their full length and twang.
In older patients = HF.
When can you hear a fourth heart sound?
Heard directly before S1.
Always abnormal.
Stiff/hypertrophic ventricle = turbulent flow from an atria against a non-compliant ventricle.
How should you assess a murmur?
Assessing a murmur: SCRIPT
S = site – where the murmur is loudest
C = character – soft/blowing/crescendo/decrescendo/crescendo-decrescendo
R = radiation – over carotids or into L axilla?
I = intensity – what grade is the murmur
P = pitch – high or low pitched? – indicates velocity
T = timing – is it systolic or diastolic
How do you grade a murmur?
- Difficult to hear
- Quiet
- Easy to hear
- Easy to hear with palpable thrill
- Hear with stethoscope barely touching chest
- Hear with stethoscope off the chest
What valve lesion causes left atrial hypertrophy?
Mitral stenosis
What valve lesion causes L ventricular hypertrophy?
Aortic stenosis
What valve lesion causes L atrial dilation?
Mitral regurgitation
What valve lesion causes L ventricular dilation?
Aortic regurgitation
Causes of mitral stenosis
Rheumatic heart disease
Infective endocarditis
Murmur heard in mitral stenosis and other findings on examination
Mid-diastolic low pitched rumbling murmur
Loud S1
Palpable tapping apex beat
Malar flush
AF
Causes of mitral regurgitation
Idiopathic weakening of the valve with age
IHD
Infective endocarditis
Rheumatic heart disease
Connective tissue disorder – Elhers-Danlos/Marfan
Murmur heard in mitral regurgitation and other findings on examination
Pansystolic high pitched whistling murmur that radiates to L axilla
Possible S3
CCF
Causes of aortic stenosis
Age related calcification
Rheumatic heart disease
Bicuspid aortic valve
Murmur heard in aortic stenosis and other findings on examination
Ejection systolic high pitched murmur with crescendo-decrescendo character
Murmur radiates to carotids
Slow rising pulse and narrow pulse pressure
Exertional syncope
S4 - if ventricles hypertrophied
Causes of aortic regurgitation
Idiopathic age related weakness
Connective tissue disorder – Elhers-Danlos / Marfans
Stanford type A aortic dissection
Bicuspid aortic valve
Murmur heard in aortic regurgitation and other findings o/e
Early diastolic soft murmur
Austin-Flint murmur: heard at the apex, is an early diastolic rumbling murmur
Collapsing pulse (Corrigan’s pulse) HF
Symptoms of aortic stenosis
- Chest pain / angina
- SOB
- Syncope
Ix for aortic stenosis
Ix = ECHOCARDIOGRAM + DOPPLER
- ECG = L ventricle hypertrophy (deep S waves in V1 and V2, tall R waves in V5 and V6) / LV strain (tall R waves, ST depression, T wave inversion in V4-6) / LBBB or complete AV block (due to septal calcification)
- CXR = small heart, dilated ascending aorta, calcified AV especially on lateral films.
- Bloods = FBC, U&E, lipids, glucose
- Cardiac catheterisation and angiography
- Exercise stress test
Mx for aortic stenosis
- Asymptomatic = observation
- Symptomatic = valve replacement
- If asymptomatic but valvular gradient >40 mmHg and there’s features like L ventricular systolic dysfunction = valvular replacement
Indications for valve replacement in aortic stenosis
- Severe symptomatic AS
- Severe asymptomatic AS with reduced ejection fraction (<50%)
- Severe AS undergoing CABG or other valve operation
Types of valves used to replace stenosed aortic valve
- Bioprosthetic valves – can come from pigs (porcine bioprosthetic). Lifespan of 10 years
- Mechanical valves – 20+ years lifespan & require anticoagulation with warfarin (target INR 2.5-3.5)
Starr Edwards Valve – ball in cage valve, highest risk of thrombus formation
Tilting disc valve – a single tilting disc
St Jude valve – two metal tilting discs, bileaflet valve, least risk of thrombus formation
What are the problems with mechanical heart valves?
o Thrombus formation
o Infective endocarditis (caused by gram positive cocci e.g. staphylococcus, streptococcus or enterococcus)
o Haemolysis causing anaemia – blood is churned up in the valve
What heart sounds occur with mechanical heart valves?
• Mechanical heart valves cause a click:
o Click replaces S1 for metallic mitral valve
o Click replaces S2 for metallic aortic valve
What mx for patients unfit for valve replacement?
- Balloon valvuloplasty
High complication rate
Restenosis occurs in 6-12 months - Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI)
Insert catheter into femoral artery, feed a wire under x-ray guidance to location of aortic valve, inflate a balloon to stretch the stenosed valve then implant a bioprosthetic valve.
Long term outcomes unclear
No warfarin required
Symptoms of aortic regurgitation
SOB fatigue weakness orthopnoea PND pallor mottled extremities
What is Quincke’s sign
Nailed pulsation seen in aortic regurgitation
Signs of severe aortic regurgitation
- Wide pulse pressure and collapsing pulse
- S3
- Long murmur
- Austin Flint murmur
- Decompensation = LVF
What is De Musset’s sign?
Head bobbing seen in Aortic Regurgitation
Ix for AR?
- Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE): can see abnormal aortic valve leaflets & regurgitant jet
- Bloods: BNP (HF) and blood cultures (if suspecting infective endocarditis)
- ECG: no specific signs but rules out other differentials
- CXR – to look for pulmonary oedema or aortic dissection causing AR. Chronic AR can cause cardiomegaly.
Mx for AR
• Manage HTN and HF
• Do surgical valve replacement if:
1. Acute severe AR e.g., after aortic dissection
2. Symptomatic chronic AR
3. Asymptomatic chronic severe AR with reduced LVEF (<55%) or cardiac surgery happening for other reasons
Murmur heard with tricuspid regurgitation and other signs on examination
o Pansystolic murmur
o Prominent/giant V waves in JVP
o Pulsatile hepatomegaly
o L parasternal heave
Causes of tricuspid regurgitation
o Right ventricular infarction o Pulmonary HTN e.g., COPD o Rheumatic heart disease o Infective endocarditis o Ebstein’s anomaly – congenital heart defect where tricuspid valve leaflets are malformed o Carcinoid syndrome
What causes arterial ulcers?
Insufficient blood supply to the skin due to peripheral arterial disease
Characteristics of arterial ulcers
Distal, affect the toes/dorsum of the foot
Associated with peripheral arterial disease – absent pulses, pallor, intermittent claudication
Smaller and deeper
Well defined borders
Punched out appearance
Pale colour (due to poor blood supply)
Less likely to bleed
Painful
Pain worse at night when horizontal
Pain worse on elevating and improved by lowering leg
Ix for arterial and venous ulcers
ABPI – used to assess for arterial disease
Blood tests –
- FBC: infection, anaemia
- CRP: infection
- HbA1C
- Albumin: malnutrition
Charcoal swabs – if infection suspected
Skin biopsy – if squamous cell carcinoma is suspected (TTW)
Mx for arterial ulcers
Urgent referral to vascular surgeons for surgical revascularisation
Cause of venous ulcers
Occur due to pooling of blood and waste products in the skin secondary to venous insufficiency