Cardiology Flashcards
What is cardiovascular disease
Chronic inflammation and activation of immune system in artery walls
Affects medium and large arteries
What do deposits of lipids in artery walls do
Stiffen (causing hypertension and putting additional strain on heart)
Stenose (reducing blood flow)
Rupture (give off thrombus that can lodge elsewhere)
What are the non-modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease
Older age
Family history
M>F
What are the modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease
Smoking
Alcohol
Poor diet (high in sugars and fats)
Low exercise
Obesity
Poor sleep
Stress
What are the co-morbidities associated with cardiovascular disease
Diabetes
Hypertension
CKD
Inflammatory conditions
Atypical antipsychotic medications
What are the end results of atherosclerosis
Angina
Myocardial infarction
Transient ischaemic attack
Stroke
Peripheral vascular disease
Chronic mesenteric ischaemia
What is the QRISK3 score
Percentage risk that a person will have a stroke or MI in the next 10 years
What should be done if a QRISK score is > 10%
Start a statin
What are the NICE statin use recommendations
Check lipids every 3 months
Check adherence before increasing dose
Check LFTs at 3 and 12 months (causes rise in ALT and AST, tolerate if up to 3 times normal)
What are the 4 As of secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease
Aspirin (plus a second antiplatelet)
Atorvastatin
Atenolol (or another beta blocker)
ACE inhibitor
What are the side effects of statins
Myopathy (check creatinine kinase if muscle pain/weakness)
T2DM
Haemorrhagic stroke
What is angina
Narrowing of coronary arteries causing reduced blood flow to myocardium
During exertion
Constricting chest pain
May radiate to arm/jaw
What are the 2 types of angina
Stable (relied by rest or GTN)
Unstable (come on at rest, considered an ACS)
What are the high risk factors for angina
Diabetes
Smoking
Hyperlipidaemia
Hypertension
Family history
What investigations are needed for angina
CT coronary angiograph (gold standard)
ECG
FBC, U&Es, LFTs, bone profile, TFTs, HbA1c
What are the appropriate investigations based on the likelihood of coronary artery disease
61-90%: invasive coronary angiography
30-60%: stress MRI, ECHO
10-29%: CT calcium scoring
Men over 70: assume likelihood >90%
Women over 70: assume likelihood 61-90%
Women at high risk and have typical symptoms: >90%
What is the medical management for stable angina that gives immediate relief
GTN
PRN, causes vasodilation.
What are the medical managements for stable angina that gives long term relief
Beta blockers
Calcium channel blockers
Second line: long acting nitrates (ivabradine, nicorandil)
What is the secondary prevention for stable angina
Aspirin (75mg OD)
Atorvastatin (80mg OD)
ACE inhibitors
Beta blockers
What is the surgical management for stable angina
Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with coronary angioplasty
Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)
What are the causes of non-cardiac chest pain
Costochondritis
GORD
PE
Pneumonia
Pneumothorax
Psychogenic/psychomotor
Which parts of the heart does the right coronary artery supply
Right atrium
Right ventricle
Inferior left ventricle
Posterior septal area
Which parts of the heart does the circumflex artery supply
Left atrium
Posterior left ventricle
Which parts of the heart does the left anterior descending artery supply
Anterior left ventricle
Anterior septal area
What are the 3 types of acute coronary syndrome
Unstable angina
STEMI
NSTEMI
What are the symptoms of acute coronary syndrome
Central, constricting chest pain
Nausea and vomiting
Sweating, clamminess
Feeling of impending doom
Shortness of breath
Palpitations
Pain radiating to jaw/arm
Symptoms continue for 20 mins at rest
What investigations are needed for acute coronary syndrome
ECG
Troponin
FBC, U&Es, LFTs, lipid profile, TFTs, HbA1c
CXR/CT coronary angiogram
What are the ECG signs of STEMI
ST elevation in 2+ leads from the same zone
New left bundle branch block
ST depression in V1-V4
What conditions can mimic STEMI on ECG
Pericarditis
Brugada syndrome
What are the ECG signs of NSTEMI
ST depression
Deep T wave inversion
Pathological Q waves
What are the ECG signs of unstable angina
ST depression
T wave inversion
How long after myocardial damage does troponin start to rise
3-4 hrs
What are some non-ACS causes of raised troponin
Chronic renal failure
Sepsis
Myocarditis
Aortic dissection
PE
What is the management for acute STEMI
Discuss with cardiac centre within 12 hours
Refer to cath lab (STEMI)
Morphine
Oxygen
Antiemetic
Aspirin, prasugrel, clopidogrel, ticagrelor
Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI)
Thrombolysis
What is the management for NSTEMI/unstable angina
Analgesia
Aspirin
LMWH
Repeat ECG
What is the GRACE score
Gives 6 month risk of death/repeat MI following an NSTEMI
What are the complications of MI
Death
Rupture of heart septum/papillary muscles
Oedema
Arrhythmias, aneurysms
Dressler’s syndrome
What is Dressler’s syndrome
2-3 days after MI
Get localised immune response
Get pericarditis
Presentation: pleuritic chest pain, low grade fever, pericardial rub
Can cause: pericardial effusion, pericardial tamponade
Diagnosis: ECG, ECHO, raised inflammatory markers
Management: NSAIDs, prednisolone, pericardiocentesis (remove fluid from around heart)
What is the secondary prevention for acute coronary syndrome
Aspirin
Another antiplatelet
Atorvastatin
ACE inhibitors
Atenolol
Aldosterone antagonist
What are the 4 types of MI
1: traditional MI, due to ACS
2: ischaemia due to increased demand/reduced oxygen
3: sudden cardiac death
4: associated with PCI/stunting/CABG
What are the causes of pulmonary oedema
Iatrogenic (aggressive fluids)
Sepsis
Myocardial infarction
Arrhythmias
How might pulmonary oedema present
Shortness of breath (exacerbated on lying flat)
Type 1 respiratory failure
Feeling unwell
Cough
What would you find on examination in pulmonary oedema
Increased respiratory rate
Reduced oxygen saturations
Tachycardia
3rd heart sound
Bibasal crackles
Cardiogenic shock
What investigations are needed for pulmonary oedema
ECG
ABG
CXR
ECHO
BNP, troponin
What is BNP
B-type natriuretic peptide
Released from ventricles when excessively stretched
Vasodilator, diuretic
Sensitive, but not specific
What is the management for pulmonary oedema
Pour SOD (stop IV fluids, sit up, oxygen, diuretics)
IV opiates (act as vasodilators)
NIV
CPAP
Inotropes (noradrenaline)
What is the NICE cutoff for hypertension
140-90 in clinic
135/85 at home