Cardiology Flashcards
list 3 non-modifiable risk factors of CVD
- older age
- family history
- being male
list some modifiable risk factors of CVD
- smoking
- alcohol
- high sugar / fat, low fruit / veg diet
- low exercise
- obesity
- poor sleep
- stress
which medical co-morbidities contribute to CVD risk?
- DM
- HTN
- CKD
- inflamm stuff like RA
which conditions can atherosclerosis result in?
CARDIAC
- angina
- MI
NEURO
- TIA
- stroke
PVD
chronic mesenteric ischaemia
how can modifiable risk factors of heart disease be optimised?
- advise on diet, exercise, weight loss
- stop smoking
- stop drinking alcohol
- optimise comorbid condition treatments (like DM)
what is QRISK 3 score? when should a statin be started? what dose?
- the % risk of a patient having a stroke or MI in the next 10 years
- when risk is >10%
- atorvastatin 20mg
who should be put on a statin?
- anyone with QRISK 3 score >10%
- CKD >10 years
- T1DM >10 years
how can statins affect LFTs? when should LFTs be checked?
- transiently and mildly raised ALT and AST for weeks
- check LFTs at 3m and 12m
4As of secondary prevention of CVD? (they’re all drugs)
- Aspirin ( + clopidogrel, for DAPT)
- Atorvastatin
- Atenolol
- ACE-i (ramipril)
3 main side effects of statins?
- myopathy (raised CK)
- T2DM
- haemorrhagic stroke (rare)
describe the pathophysiology of angina
- narrowed coronary arteries
- reduced blood flow to myocardium
- demand > supply
- causes tight chest pain +/- radiation to jaw / arm
when is angina “stable”?
when symptoms are completely relieved by GTN
when is angina “unstable”?
when symptoms come on at rest
gold standard investigation for angina?
CT coronary angiogram
what are the baseline investigations for angina? why are they each important?
- physical exam (?HF, heart sounds, BMI)
- ECG
- FBC (?anaemia)
- UEs (before starting ACE-i)
- LFTs (before starting a statin)
- Lipid profile
- TFTs
- HbA1C, fasting glucose (?DM)
RAMP: management of angina?
- Referral to cardiology
- Advice on Dx, when to seek help etc
- Meds
- Procedural (surgical) interventions
which drug classes are used in angina management?
- short acting nitrites (GTN)
- BB
- CCB
- long acting nitrites (isosorbide mononitrate)
what are the 2 surgical interventions for angina treatment?
- PCI (stent)
- CABG
who gets offered surgical interventions in angina management?
those with severe stenosis seen on CT coronary angiography
which 2 surgical scars does CABG leave?
- midline sternotomy scar
- scar over great saphenous vein on leg
what does the left coronary artery divide into?
- circumflex
- left anterior descending (LAD)
which areas of the heart does the circumflex artery supply?
- LA
- posterior of LV
which areas of the heart does the LAD artery supply?
- anterior of LV
- anterior of septum
which areas of the heart does the right coronary artery (RCA) supply?
- RA
- RV
- inferior of LV
- posterior of septum
what are the 3 types of acute coronary syndrome (ACS)?
- unstable angina
- STEMI
- NSTEMI
what are the diagnostic criteria on ECG for a STEMI?
either of these:
- ST elevation
- new LBBB
if there is no ST elevation on ECG, what is the next investigation for ACS? what would this show?
- troponin blood tests
- raised trops + other ECG signs = NSTEMI
- normal trops + normal ECG = UA / other cause of chest pain
1st line investigation in suspected ACS?
ECG
ECG changes in NSTEMI?
- ST depression
- T wave inversion
- pathological Q waves
symptoms other than chest pain in ACS?
- N+V
- sweaty, clammy
- sense of impending doom
- SOB
- palpitations
- jaw / arm pain
other than ECG and troponins, which other investigations could you do in suspected ACS? what would they show?
- CXR (?pulmonary oedema)
- echocardiogram (shows damage in heart)
- CT coronary angiogram (?CAD)
what can be offered if someone presents <2h following a STEMI?
primary PCI
what can be offered if someone presents 2-12h following a STEMI? which medications are used here?
- thrombolysis
- streptokinase, alteplase, tenecteplase
BATMAN: medical management of NSTEMI?
- BB
- Aspirin 300mg stat
- Ticagrelor 180mg (or clopidogrel 300mg - ^ bleeding risk)
- Morphine
- Anticoagculant (fondaparinux - LMWH) (unless high bleeding risk)
- Nitrates (GTN)
+ Ox if sats are dropping (<95%)
what is the GRACE score?
6 month risk of death / repeat MI in patients who have had an NSTEMI
what GRACE score would qualify for PCI?
>5%
complications of MI?
D – Death (cardiac arrest)
R – Rupture of the heart septum or papillary muscles
E – “Edema” (Heart Failure)
A – Arrhythmia and Aneurysm
(VF or VT; AV block ,especially after inferior MI)
( LV aneurysm; )
D – Dressler’s Syndrome
Also
- VSD
- acute mitral regurg
what is Dressler’s syndrome? when does it occur?
- post-MI inflammation causing pericarditis
- 2-3 weeks after an MI
presentation of Dressler’s syndrome?
- pleuritic chest pain
- fever (low grade)
- pericardial rub on auscultation
what are the ECG changes in Dressler’s syndrome?
- global ST elevation
- T wave inversion
investigations for Dressler’s syndrome?
- ECG
- echocardiogram
- bloods
echo findings in Dressler’s syndrome?
shows pericardial effusion
what is seen on bloods in Dressler’s syndrome?
raised CRP and ESR (inflamm markers)
management of Dressler’s syndrome?
- NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen)
- steroids (prednisolone)
- pericardiocentesis (removes fluid)
what does secondary prevention of MI involve?
6As
- Aspirin 75mg OD
- Another antiplatelet e.g. clopidogrel or ticagrelor (12m)
******DAPT
- atorvastatin (80mg OD)
- ACE-i (ramipril)
- Atenolol (or another BB)
- Aldosterone antagonist (spironolactone, EPLERENONE) if HF also present
how does acute LVF result in oedema?
- LV cannot push all the blood out
- backlog of blood develops in L atrium, pulmonary veins and lungs
- fluid leaks out of engorged veins into lungs
- pulmonary oedema
causes of acute LVF?
- iatrogenic (aggressive IV fluids in someone who is frail)
- sepsis
- MI
- arrhythmias
how does acute LVF present?
- rapid onset SOB
- worse lying flat + better sitting up
- cough with frothy white / pink sputum
what signs and symptoms might be present in acute LVF which indicate the underlying cause?
- chest pain (MI)
- fever (sepsis)
- palpitations (arrhythmias)
what are the findings on examination in acute LVF?
- increased RR (tachypnoeic)
- reduced O2 sats
- tachycardia
- 3rd heart sound
- bibasal “wet” crackles on auscultation
- hypotension if severe (cardiogenic shock)
what are the additional findings if the patient with acute LVF also has right-sided heart failure?
- raised JVP
- peripheral oedema (ankles, legs, sacrum)
investigations for acute LVF?
- ECG (arrhythmia, MI)
- ABG (sats)
- CXR (oedema)
- FBC, UE (infection, renal function)
- BNP (CCF)
- troponin (MI)
- echocardiogram (shows LV function)
is BNP sensitive or specific? does this mean it is good for ruling in or ruling out HF?
- sensitive but not specific
- good for ruling OUT HF when negative but can be raised for other causes
other than HF, what else can cause a raised BNP?
- tachycardia
- sepsis
- PE
- renal impairment
- COPD
what is ejection fraction? what is a normal ejection fraction?
- proportion of blood pumped out of LV with each contraction
- >50%
ABCDE: CXR findings in acute / chronic HF?
- Alveolar oedema (bat wing)
- B lines (Kerley)
- Cardiomegaly (CTR >0.5)
- Dilated upper lobe vessels
- Effusion (pleural)
stop IV SODM: management of acute LVF?
- stop IV fluids
- Sit up
- Oxygenate
- Diuretics (IV furosemide 40mg)
- Monitor fluid input and output
presentation of chronic heart failure? (5)
- SOBOE
- cough with frothy white / pink sputum
- orthopnoea (SOB lying flat, ask about pillows)
- PND
- peripheral oedema
how is chronic HF diagnosed? (4)
- clinical exam
Investigations:
- NT-proBNP
- echocardiogram
- ECG
what are the causes of chronic HF?
- IHD
- aortic stenosis
- HTN
- AF and other arrhythmias
what level of NT-proBNP needs an urgent specialist referral?
>2000 ng/L
ABAL: drug management of chronic HF? hint: 2 diuretics
- ACE-i (ramipril, avoid if valve disease)
- BB (bisoprolol)
- Aldosterone antagonist (spironolactone)
- Loop diuretic (furosemide)
other than drugs, what else is there in the management of chronic HF?
- advise and explain the condition
- specialist referral
- surgery if caused by AS or MR
- involve the HF specialist nurse
what is cor pulmonale?
RSHF caused by respiratory disease (e.g. COPD)
causes of cor pulmonale?
- COPD (commonest)
- PE
- interstitial lung disease
- CF
- primary pulmonary HTN
how does cor pulmonale present?
- often asymptomatic!
- SOB(OE)
- peripheral oedema
- syncope
- chest pain
what are the findings on examination in cor pulmonale?
- hypoxia
- cyanosis
- raised JVP
- peripheral oedema
- 3rd heart sound
- murmur (if underlying valve disease)
- hepatomegaly (hepatic vein congestion)
management of cor pulmonale?
- treat underlying cause
- long term O2 therapy
what is normal BP defined as?
< 120/80
ROPE: secondary causes of hypertension?
- Renal disease
- Obesity
- Pregnancy-induced HTN / Pre-eclampsia
- Endocrine (Conns syndrome)
complications of HTN?
- IHD
- cerebrovascular accident (stroke / haemorrhage)
- retinopathy
- nephropathy
- HF
how is HTN diagnosed?
either:
- several raised clinic readings
- raised 24h ambulatory readings
what is classed as stage 1 HTN? clinic and ambulatory readings
- clinic: >140/90
- ambulatory: >135/85
what is classed as stage 2 HTN? clinic and ambulatory readings
- clinic: >160/100
- ambulatory: >150/95
ABCD: drugs used in HTN management?
- ACE-i (ramipril) / ARB (candesartan)
- BB (bisoprolol)
- CCB (amlodipine)
- diuretic (thiazide-like, indapamide)
what are 1st and 2nd medical treatments for someone <55 years old and not Black with HTN?
- 1st: ACE-i (ARB if not tolerated)
- 2nd: ACE-i + CCB
what are 1st and 2nd medical treatments for someone >55 years old or Black with HTN?
- 1st: ARB if Black
- 2nd: ACE-i/ARB + CCB
what are 3rd and 4th line treatments of HTN? (hint: same for everyone)
- 3rd: ACE-i/ARB + CCB + diuretics
- 4th: ACE-i/ARB + CCB + 2 diuretics
what kind of diuretic is spironolactone? how does it work?
- K+ sparing
- blocks aldosterone action
- causes Na+ excretion and K+ reabsorption
why is it important to closely monitor UEs on ACE-i and diuretics?
they can all cause hyperkalaemia
what is the target BP in diabetics with HTN?
< 130/80
what is the target BP in <80 year olds with HTN?
< 140/90
what is the target BP in >80 year olds with HTN?
< 150/90
what is the first line drug treatment for HTN in diabetics?
- CCB for women of child-bearing age
- ACEi + CCB for Black people
- ACE-i for everyone else
what is the initial management of HTN (before meds)?
- investigate for causes
- investigate for end organ damage
- advise on lifestyle, salt intake and exercise
what causes the first heart sound (S1)?
atrioventricular (tricuspid and mitral) valves closing as the ventricles contract
what causes the second heart sound (S2)?
pulmonary and aortic valves closing at the end of ventricular contraction
what causes an S3 sound? who is this normal in?
- chordae tendinae being twanged like a guitar string lol
- young people
what might an S3 sound indicate in older patients?
heart failure
when is S4 heard? what causes it?
- before S1
- always pathological!
- hypertrophic ventricle
where is Erb’s point? what can be heard here?
- 3rd IC space, L sternal border
- S1 and S2
how can you emphasise the mitral stenosis murmur?
roll the patient over onto their L side
how can you emphasise the aortic regurgitation murmur?
have the patient sit up, lean forward, exhale and then hold it like that
what does mitral stenosis result in?
L atrial hypertrophy (thickening)
what does aortic stenosis result in?
L ventricular hypertrophy (thickening)
what does mitral regurg result in?
L atrial dilatation (thinning out)
what does aortic regurg result in?
L ventricular dilatation (thinning out)
describe the pathophysiology of mitral stenosis
- narrowed mitral valve
- makes it difficult for L atrium to push blood into L ventricle
main 2 causes of mitral stenosis?
- rheumatic heart disease
- infective endocarditis
describe the mitral stenosis murmur
- mid-diastolic
- low-pitched
- rumbling (low velocity in diastole)
what might be palpated in mitral stenosis? what causes this?
- a tapping apex beat
- loud S1
which 2 conditions are associated with mitral stenosis?
- malar flush
- atrial fibrillation
how does mitral stenosis cause malar flush?
- blood gets blacklogged in the pulmonary system
- CO2 rises
- results in vasodilation
what is mitral regurgitation?
incompetent mitral valve allowing blood to leak back into the L atrium
describe the mitral regurg murmur. where does it radiate it?
- pansystolic
- high-pitched
- whistling (high velocity in systole)
- radiates to L axilla
what does mitral regurg result in?
congestive cardiac failure (is there a 3rd heart sound?)
causes of mitral regurg? 6
- ageing (valve weakens)
- IHD
- infective endocarditis
- rheumatic heart disease
- papillary muscle infarction
- conn tissue disorders (Ehlers-Danlos, Marfan syndrome)
what is the most common valve disease?
aortic stenosis
describe the murmur in aortic stenosis. where does it radiate to?
- ejection-systolic
- high-pitched (high velocity in systole)
- crescendo-decrescendo (diff stages of systole)
- radiates to carotids
other than a murmur, what are the other signs of aortic stenosis?
- slow rising pulse
- narrow pulse pressure
- exertional syncope
causes of aortic stenosis?
- age-related calcification
- rheumatic heart disease
describe the murmur in aortic regurg
- early diastolic
- soft
what kind of pulse is aortic regurg associated with?
collapsing pulse at carotids