Cardiology Flashcards
Management of hyperkalaemia
Stabilisation of the cardiac membrane
IV calcium gluconate
(does NOT lower serum potassium levels)
Short-term shift in potassium from extracellular (ECF) to intracellular fluid (ICF) compartment
combined insulin/dextrose infusion
nebulised salbutamol
Removal of potassium from the body->
calcium resonium (orally or enema)
enemas are more effective than oral as potassium is secreted by the rectum
loop diuretics
dialysis
haemofiltration/haemodialysis should be considered for patients with AKI with persistent hyperkalaemia
ECG changes in hyperkalaemia
peaked or ‘tall-tented’ T waves (occurs first)
loss of P waves
broad QRS complexes
sinusoidal wave pattern
Three layers of the aorta
Intima
Media
adventitia
With an aortic dissection blood enters which of the layers
blood enters between the intima and media layers
Stanford system of classification of aortic dissections
Type A - affects ascending aorta before the brachiocephalic artery
Type B - affects descending aorta after left subclavian artery
How to diagnose an aortic dissection
CT angiogram
Management of aortic dissection
surgical emergency
analgesia - morphine
BP and heart rate controlled (to reduce stress on aortic walls) - beta blockers
Strongest risk factor for IE
having a previous episode
Most common cause of IE
Staphylococcus aureus
Most common organism of IE in dental plaques
Streptococcus viridans
Non infective causes of IE
SLE
Malignancy
Indications for surgery in IE
- Severe valvular incompetence
- Aortic abscess
- infections resistant to antibiotics/fungal infections
- cardiac failurerefractory to standard medical treatment
- recurrent emboli after antibiotic therapy
What is the DUKE criteria for
diagnosing IE
Features of acute pericarditis
CP - may be pleuritic and relieved when leaning forward
Non productive cough, dyspnoea
pericardial rub
Tachypnoea
Tachycardia
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Causes of pericarditis
Viral infection - coxsackie
TB
Uraemia
trauma
post MI - dressler’s syndrome
connective tissue disease
Hypothyroidism
Malignancy
Investigations for pericarditis
ECG changes - often global and widespread changes; saddle shaped ST elevation; PR depression (most characteristic finding
All patients presenting with acute pericarditis should have a TTE
Difference between pericarditis and constrictive pericarditis
Constrictive has a positive Kussmual’s sign and calcification seen on CXR
Secondary causes of hypertension
ROPE
R - renal disease
O- obesity
P - pregnancy/ pre-eclampsia
E - endocrine (Conn’s syndrome - hyperaldosteronism)
How often does NICE recommend screening for hypertension
Every 5 years
Should be more for borderline patients and every year for patients with T2DM
Stage 1 HTN
clinic reading >140/90
ambulatory reading >135/85
Stage 2 HTN
> 160/100 clinic
150/95 ambulatory
Stage 3 HTN
> 180/120 clinic
Investigations for end organ damage due to HTN
Urine albumin:creatinine ratio for proteinuria and dipstick for NVH
Bloods for HbA1c
Fundus examination - Hypertensive retinopathy
ECG - cardiac abnormalities
When would you medically manage HTN
All patients with stage 2 HTN
Patients <80 with stage 1 HTN and QRISK
aged <55, non black patient htn first line management
A - ACE inhibitor (ramipril)