Cardiology Flashcards
What is infective endocarditis?
infection of endovascular structures of the heart
What is aortic regurgitation?
the reverse flow of blood across the aortic valve in diastole due to the incompetence of the valve
Acute cause of aortic regurgitation
Infective endocarditis
Aortic dissection
Traumatic rupture of the valve leaflets (blunt chest trauma or deceleration injury)
Iatrogenic causes (balloon valvotomy or TAVI)
Chronic causes of aortic regurgitation
Calcific aortic valve disease (age related)
Myxomatous degeneration
Congenital disease e.g. bicuspid aortic valve
Rheumatic heart disease
IE
Rheumatic causes (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis)
Marfan’s Syndrome
Presentation of aortic regurgitation
Early diastolic murmur heard best over left sternal border
collapsing pulse
wide pulse pressure
Management of Unstable Angina
MONA
Morphine IV
Oxygen
Nitrates GTN
Aspirin 300mg STAT
Management of STEMI
Presenting within 2 hrs
- PCI + antiplatelet (e.g. aspirin, ticagrelor)
After 2hrs
- Thrombolysis (e.g. alteplase, streptokinase, tenecteplase)
Management of NSTEMI
BATMAN
Beta-blocker
Aspirin 300mg stat
Ticagrelor
Morphine
Anticoagulation (e.g. LMWH)
Nitrates (e.g. GTN)
What is a J-Wave/Osborne wave
positive deflection at the J point between the end of the QRS and beginning of the ST segment
ECG features of hypothermia
Bradyarrhythmias
Osborne waves/J waves
Prolonged PR, QRS and QT intervals
Shivering artefact
Ventricular ectopics
Cardiac arrest (VT, VF or asystole)
ACE inhibitor mechanism
Inhibits angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), thus reduces the generation of angiotensin-II and consequently aldosterone.
–> reducing sodium and water retention
Reduced tissue concentration of angiotensin-II also leads to arterial and venous dilation.
Drugs also inhibit bradykinin (a vasodilator) breakdown by ACE
Cautions for ACE inhibitors
Careful when used in combination drugs that can increase potassium, as ^ risk of hyperkalaemia (e.g. thiazide-like diuretics, potassium sparing diuretics)
Triple whammy: ACEi (or ARB) + Thiazide diuretics + NSAID
—> famous cause of renal failure
—> do not prescribe
Side effects of ACE inhibitors
Persistent dry cough
Postural hypotension - rare unless there is salt and water depletion (e.g. person taking diuretics)/
Renal impairment
Disturbance of taste, N&V, dyspepsia, bowel disturbance
Rashes
Angioedema
Indications for Amiodarone
Anti-arrhythmic drug, used in atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter.
Also indicated in:
- Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia (PSVT)
- Nodal + ventricular tachycardia
- AF + Flutter
- Ventricular fibrillation
- Tachycardias associated w/ Wolf-Parkinson-White syndrome
Mechanism of action of Amiodarone
- Blocks K+ channels, therefore prolonging the refractory period.
- Also effective at blocking Na+, having a high affinity for inactivated channels.
- Anti-adrenergic effects by competitively blocking alpha and beta receptors
- Also has weak Ca2+ blocking effect
- Slows down the sinus rate and AV conduction, slightly prolongs the QT interval
- Can also cause peripheral vasodilation
Side effects of Amiodarone
Corneal microdeposits
Thyroid function: contains iodine so can cause disorders of thyroid function
Hepatotoxicity
Pulmonary toxicity
Peripheral neuropathy
Pregnancy: possible risk of neonatal goitre, only use if no other alternative.
Breast feeding: avoid due to drug present in breast milk, theoretical risk of neonatal hypothyroidism
Monitoring tests for Amiodarone
TFT: before treatment & every 6 months
LFT: before treatment & every 6 months
Serum K+ before treatment
Chest X-Ray before treatment
Complications of coronary angiography
Mortality ~1%
Bruising at entry site
May have a false aneurysm at the femoral artery if this was used as the entry site
May get angina-type pain during the procedure
Infection at entry site
May have warm flushing when the dye is injected
Stroke and MI are possible but rare
Rarely, the coronary artery may be damaged and emergency bypass may need to be performed
Mechanism of Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs)
Selectively inhibit angiotensin II at the AT1 receptor site.
Binding of angiotensin II at the AT1 receptor causes: vasoconstriction, release of aldosterone, sympathetic activation and other potentially harmful effects in the CV system. Therefore, by antagonising angiotensin II at the AT1 receptor it will prevent these effects.
Therefore, causes VASODILATION and blockage of aldosterone release.
Monitoring with ARBs
Monitor plasma K+ concentration, especially in elderly & in patient w/ renal impairment.
Can lead to hyperkalaemia
Side effects of ARBs
Dry cough
Headaches
N&V + D
Postural hypotension (most common w/ volume depletion e.g. taking diuretics)
Renal impairment
Hyperkalaemia
Avoid in pregnancy: teratogenic
Breastfeeding: generally not recommended
What is aortic stenosis?
The narrowing of the three cusps that form the aortic valve.
–> The left coronary cusp (LCC)
–> The right coronary cusp (RCC)
–> The non-coronary cusp (NCC)