Cardiology Flashcards
What does the P wave represent?
Atrial depolarisation
How long does atrial depolarisation last?
0.08-0.1s
How long does AV node delay last?
0.12-0.2s
How long does ventricular depolarisation last?
0.06-0.1s
What does the PR interval show?
Time taken for atria to depolarise and electrical activation to get through AV node
What does the QRS complex show?
Ventricular depolarisation
What does the ST segment show?
Interval between ventricular depolarisation and repolarisation
What does the T wave show?
Ventricular repolarisation
What occurs during depolarisation?
The muscle contracts
What length of time does one small box horizontally on an ECG represent?
0.04s/40ms
What length of time does one large box horizontally on an ECG represent?
0.2s (5 small boxes per large square)
What voltage does one large box vertically on an ECG represent?
0.5mV
What is the S1 heart sound?
Mitral and tricuspid valve closure
What is the S2 heart sound?
Aortic and pulmonary valve closure
What is the S3 heart sound?
NOT NORMAL UNLESS CHILD OR PREGNANCY
Associated with mitral regurgitation and heart failure
What is the S4 heart sound?
NOT NORMAL
Blood forced into stiff hypertrophic ventricle
What arteries is atherosclerosis commonly found?
LAD
RCA
Circumflex
Peripheral arteries particularly at bifurcations
What are the risk factors for atherosclerosis?
Age
Tobacco smoking
High serum cholesterol
Obesity
Hypertension
Family history
What is the best known risk factor for coronary artery disease?
Age
Describe the structure of an atherosclerotic plaque
Lipid
Necrosic core
Connective tissue
Fibrous cap
What are 2 outcomes of an atherosclerotic plaque?
Occlusion of vessel = angina
Rupture = thrombus formation = death
What initiates atherosclerotic formation?
Injury to endothelial cells
LDL
Describe the process of inflammation leading to atherosclerotic plaque development
Injury -> endothelial dysfunction -> chemoattractants released from endothelium -> leukocyte migration and accumulation intro vessel walls
What are some inflammatory markers found in plaques?
IL-1
IL-6
IFN-gamma
What are the 4 stages of atherosclerosis?
- Fatty streaks
- Intermediate lesions
- Fibrous plaques/advanced lesions
- Plaque rupture/plaque erosion
When does plaque rupture occur?
Balance shifted in favour of inflammatory conditions -> cap weakens -> cap ruptures
What are the clinical characteristics/risk factors of plaque rupture?
Dyslipidemia
Hypertension
DM
CKD
Winter
What are the outcomes of plaque rupture?
Stent
No reflow after PCI
Distal embolisation
What are the clinical characteristics/risk factors of plaque erosion?
Smoking
Women
<50
Anterior ischaemia
Summer
What are the outcomes of plaque erosion?
Anti-thrombotic
Less micro vascular damage after PCI
Better myocardial perfusion
Define angina
Chest pain or discomfort as a result of reversible myocardial ischaemia
What is stable angina?
Angina induced by effort and relieved by rest
How is atherosclerosis treated?
Percutaneous coronary intervention
-Stent in 90% of people
What are the risk factors of angina?
Smoking
Male sex
Sedentary lifestyle
Obesity
Hypertension
DM
Family history
Age
Outline the pathophysiology of angina
Atherosclerosis -> lumen narrowing -> ischaemia -> pain (angina)
What are the signs and symptoms of angina?
Chest pain
-can radiate to jaw/neck
Breathlessness
No fluid retention
Can have palpitations or syncope
How is stable angina diagnosed?
Resting ECG normal may have ST changes
CT Coronary angiography
ECHO ect
What is the gold standard test for stable angina?
CT coronary angiography
- shows occluded arteries
What is unstable angina?
Angina of recent onset or deterioration of stable angina with symptoms occurring more frequently at rest
What are the 2 sects of ischemic heart disease?
Angina
myocardial infarct
What is Levine sign?
Fist over chest
What does Levine’s sign indicate?
Ischemic heart disease ie. MI or angina
What is prinzmetals angina?
Due to coronary vasospasm (not atherogenesis)
When is prinzmetals angina seen?
Cocaine users
What does an ECG show in Prinzmetals angina?
ST elevation
What are the treatments for stable angina?
GTN sublingual spray
Modifying lifestyle
Pharmacological treatments
Revascularisation
What pharmacological treatments can be used to treat angina?
- GTN spray + verapamil OR beta blockers
Also: Statin ,Anti platelet therapy, Aspirin
2.beta blocker AND amlodipine
3. Coronary angiography
When are CCBs contraindicated for angina?
Heart failure
When are beta blockers contraindicated in angina treatment?
Asthma
How does GTN spray alleviate angina?
Glycerin trinitrate- potent venodilator and dilates coronary arteries
Dilates systemic veins reducing venous return to right heart reducing preload
What is the main side effect of GTN spray?
Profuse headaches
What are 2 forms of revascularisation?
Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)
Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)
What is a PCI?
Percutaneous coronary intervention
Dilating coronary obstructions by inflation of a balloon within it and inserting a stent
What are the pros and cons of PCI?
Pros: less invasive, short recovery
Cons: risk of stent thrombosis
What is a CABG?
Coronary artery bypass graft
-LIMA (left internal mammary artery) used to bypass proximal stenosis in LAD
What are the pros and cons of CABG?
Pros: good prognosis, good for complex disease
Cons: invasive, long recovery
What are the 4 levels of ischemic heart disease?
Stable angina -> unstable angina -> NSTEMI -> STEMI
What are the 3 acute coronary syndromes?
Unstable angina
STEMI
NSTEMI
What does STEMI stand for?
ST-elevation myocardial infarction
What does NSTEMI stand for?
Non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction
Describe the occlusion in unstable angina
Partial occlusion of minor coronary artery
Describe the occlusion in NSTEMI
Partial occlusion of major coronary artery
OR
Total occlusion of minor coronary artery
Describe the occlusion in STEMI
Total occlusion of major coronary artery
Define infarction
Necrosis due to obstruction of blood supply to an organ or tissue
Describe the level of infarction in unstable angina
No infarction- ischaemia only
Describe the level of infarction in NSTEMI
Subendothelial infarction
-area far away from CA occlusion dies
Describe the level of infarction in STEMI
Transmural (complete) infarction
How will the ECG appear in unstable angina?
Normal
May show ST depression or T wave inversion
How will the ECG appear in NSTEMI?
NO Q WAVE
ST depression
T wave inversion
How will the ECG appear in STEMI?
ST elevation in local leads
pathological Q waves
How is UA and NSTEMI differentiated?
NSTEMI has occluding thrombus -> MC necrosis
RISE IN SERUM TROPONIN OR CK-MB
What is CK-MB?
Creatine kinase-MB
When is CK-MB used as opposed to troponin?
A few days later- has a longer half life
What are the 5 types of MI?
Type 1: spontaneous MI with ischemia due to primary coronary incident (eg dissection)
Type 2: MI secondary to ischemia due to increased O2 demand or decreased supply (eg. Hypertension)
Types 3,4,5: MI due to sudden cardiac death related to PCI and CABG
What are the risk factors of acute cornonary syndrome?
Age
Male sex
Family history of IHD
Smoking
Hypertension, DM, HLD
Obesity and sedentary lifestyle
What are the symptoms of UA?
Crescendo pattern angina (UA)
Acute central chest pain
New onset angina
Sweating
Nausea and vomiting
Dizziness
Pressure, squeezing and stabbing
What are the investigations carried out for UA?
ECG- abnormal in 50%
Chest X ray
Blood test- troponin and CK-MB normal
Angiography to determine state of vessels
How is UA treated?
Usually requires hospital admission
ASPIRIN
GTN spray
Anti platelet drugs
Hypertensive and cholesterol drugs
Angioplasty/stent
What are some anti platelet drugs?
Aspirin
P2Y12 inhibitors
Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonists
How does aspirin work?
IRREVERSIBLY inhibiting Cox (1+2) and prevents the breakdown of arachidonic acid into prostaglandin H2.
How do P2Y12 inhibitors work?
Prevent ADP dependent activation of IIb/IIIa glycoproteins preventing amplification of platelet aggregation
What are 2 P2Y12 inhibitors?
Clopidogrel
Prasugrel
What are the side effects of P2Y12 inhibitors?
Neutropenia
Thrombocytopenia
Increased risk of bleeding
When are glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonists used?
IV ONLY
Combination with aspirin and P2Y12 inhibitors in patients undergoing PCI
What is an example of a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonist?
Abciximab
Tirofiban
What are 4 causes of NSTEMI?
Partial CA obstruction from ruptured plaque
Partial occlusion from stable plaque
CA vasospasm
Coronary arteritis or vasculitis
What are the factors affecting the severity of damage in MI?
Duration of ischemia and reperfusion
Extent of atherosclerosis
Degree of occlusion
Diameter of vessel
What are the signs and symptoms of MI?
Sudden crushing Chest pain- may radiate to jaw or left arm
Dysponea
Pallor
Diaphoresis
Palpitations
4th heart sound
What is dysponea?
Shortness of breath
What is diaphoresis?
Excessive sweating
What investigation results indicate NSTEMI?
No ST elevation
High troponin
ST depression
T wave inversion
Pathological Q wave
How is NSTEMI managed acutely?
MONACA
Morphine
O2 if sats below 94%
Nitrates (GTN spray)
Aspirin 300mg IMMEDIATELY
Clopidogrel or other anticoags
Angiography and revascularisation
How is NSTEMI and UA monitored?
GRACE score
What is a GRACE score used for?
Mortality risk of patients with ACS from MI
What would be done for a patient with a low risk GRACE score?
Monitoring
What would be done for a patient with a high risk GRACE score?
Immediate angiography
Consider PCI
How is NSTEMI managed post stabilisation?
Dual anti platelet therapy
Beta blockers
ACE-I or CCB
Statin
What drugs are commonly used in dual anti platelet therapy?
Aspirin 300mg lowered to 75mg
Clopidogrel 75mg
How is STEMI diagnosed?
ST elevation on ECG
Coronary angiograph
Rise in troponin/CK-MB
How is STEMI treated acutely?
MONACA
How is STEMI treated <12 hours after symptom onset?
PCI or CABG if PCI fails <2 HOURS
Thrombolysis if PCI unavailable in 2 hours
How is STEMI treated >12 hours after symptoms onset?
Dual antiplatlet therapy
Angiography and PCI if symptoms persist
How is STEMI treated long term?
1st line: dual anti platelet therapy
Beta blocker or CCB
ACE inhibitor or angiotensin 2 receptor antagonist
Statin
What are the complications of MI?
DARTH VADER
Death
Arrhythmia
Rupture (septum, ventricles)
Tamponade
Heart failure
Valve disease
Aneurism of ventricle
Dressers syndrome
Embolism
Recurrence/regurgitation
What is Dressler syndrome?
Form of secondary pericarditis
What is heart failure?
The inability of the heart to deliver blood and O2 at a rate that matches the body’s requirements
Is cardiac failure a diagnosis?
No- it is a syndrome
What are the causes of heart failure?
IHD-main cause
Cardiomyopathy
Valvular disease
Cor pulmonale
Increased myocardial work; anaemia,obesity, pregnancy
What is cor pulmonale?
Right sided heart failure due to disease of lungs or pulmonary vessels
What are the risk factors of heart failure?
65<
African descent
Men (lack of oestrogen)
Obesity
Previous MI
What are the 4 compensatory changes in cardiac failure?
Changes in preload
Changes in after load
Changes in sympathetic system
RAAS
What is decompensation?
Compensatory measures become overwhelmed causing them to become pathophysiological
How does heart failure affect preload?
- Cause a reduction in SV and an increase in ESV
- Increased preload (due to higher ESV) stretches myocardium = increased force of contraction
- After failure progresses, the myocardium doesnt contract as much so CO may DECREASE
What is afterload?
Outflow resistance- load or resistance against which the ventricle contracts
How does heart failure affect afterload?
- Increased afterload = increased EDV = decrease in SV = decrease in CO
- Increase in EDV and ventricle dilation = worse afterload
What effects does heart failure have on the sympathetic NS?
- Baroreceptors detect a drop in arterial pressure or rise in venous pressure and stimulate SNS activation
- Increased intropy = increased SV = increased HR= increased CO
- Chronic activation = downregulation = CO stops increasing
How does heart failure affect the RAAS system?
- Reduced CO = decreased renal perfusion = RAAS activated
- angiotensin -> angiotensin I -> angiotensin II -> aldosterone release
- Increased Na+ absorption and ADH release
- Increased blood volume -> increased BP ->increased stretching of heart
- Increased intropy = increased SV
- Prolonged failure leads to decreased SV and CO
What is systolic heart failure?
Inability of the ventricle to contract normally, causing a decrease in CO
What are 3 causes of systolic heart failure?
IHD
MI
Cardiomyopathy
What is diastolic heart failure?
Inability of the ventricles to relax and fill fully thereby decreasing SV and CO
What are 2 causes of diastolic heart failure?
Hypertrophy
Aortic stenosis
How does Hypertrophy cause diastolic heart failure?
Chronic hypertension -> increased afterload -> more resistance -> myocytes grow -> Hypertrophy -> less space for blood -> decreased CO
How does aortic stenosis cause diastolic heart failure?
Narrowing of vessels -> increased afterload -> decreased CO
What is acute heart failure?
New onset or decompensation of chronic heart failure with pulmonary or peripheral oedema without signs of peripheral hypotension
What is chronic heart failure?
Develops slowly
Venous congestion common but arterial pressure well maintained for a while
What are the signs of left sided heart failure?
Cyanosis
Fatigue
Pulmonary oedema
Bibasal fine crackles
Dyspnoea
Orthopnoea
Prolonged CR
Pink frothy sputum
What is orthopnea?
sensation of breathlessness in the recumbent position, relieved by sitting or standing
What are the symptoms of right sided heart failure?
Oedema
Raised JVP
Weight gain
Abdominal distension
Anorexia
Pitting oedema
Ascites
What is ascites?
Fluid buildup in abdomen
What 4 investigations are carried out to diagnose heart failure?
BNP (B-type natriuretic peptide)
Echocardiogram
CXR (chest X ray)
ECG
When is BNP secreted?
Secreted by ventricles in response to myocardial wall stress
What will BNP be like in patients with heart failure?
Elevated >200
Why is echocardiogram used to diagnose heart failure?
Assesses degree of ventricular dysfunction
- Also assesses cardiomyopathy and signs of MI
What are the signs of heart failure on CXR?
ABCDEF
A- alveolar oedema
B- Kerley B lines caused by interstitial oedema
C- cardiomegaly
D- upper lobe blood Diversion
E- pleural Effusions
F- Fluid in horizontal fissure
What is the gold standard for heart failure diagnosis?
Echocardiogram
What lifestyle changes can help treat heart failure?
Avoid large meals
Lose weight
Stop smoking
Exercise
What are 5 types of treatments for heart failure?
Lifestyle changes
Drugs
Revascularisation
Surgery to repair damage
Heart transplant in young people
What 4 pharmacological interventions can be used to treat heart failure?
Diuretics (decrease preload)
ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers
Beta blockers
Digoxin
How is heart failure graded?
New York classification:
Grade 1) no function limitation
Grade 2) slight limit- symptoms not at rest
Grade 3) marked limit- symptoms not at rest
Grade 4) severe limit - may have symptoms at rest
What are the complications of heart failure?
Exercise intolerance
Increased stroke risk and thromboembolism
Arrhythmia
Kidney and liver damage
Define aneurysm
Permanent dilation of the artery to twice its normal diameter
What is a true aneurysm?
Abdominal dilation that involves all layers of the arterial wall
What arteries are most affected by true aneurysms?
Abdominal aorta (MC)
Iliac, popliteal, femoral arteries
Thoracic aorta
What is a false aneurysm/pseudoaneurysm?
Collection of blood in the adventitia (outer layer) which communicated with the lumen
Define abdominal aortic aneurysm
Permanent aortic dilation exceeding 50% where diameter is >3cm
Where do AAAs commonly occur?
Infrarenal- below renal arteries
What are the risk factors of AAA?
Male sex
Above 60
Family history
Tobacco smoking (BIGGEST RISK)
Atherosclerotic damage
Hypertension
Trauma
What are the 3 layers of an artery?
Intima
Media
Adventitia
Outline the pathophysiology of AAA
Degradation of elastic lamellar causing leukocyte infiltration causing proteolysis and smooth muscle cell loss
What are the signs and symptoms of unruptured AAA?
Often asymptomatic and picked up on X-ray ect
Back, abdomen and groin pain
Pulsatile abdo swelling
What diameter indicates high risk of AAA rupture?
> 5.5cm
What are the symptoms of AAA rupture?
Sudden abdo pain
Pronounced abdo swelling
Collapse
Tachycardia
Sudden death
What are the differential diagnoses of AAA?
Acute pancreatitis (would be non pulsatile)
GI bleed
MSK pain
perforated ulcer
Appendicitis
How is AAA diagnosed?
Abdominal ultrasound
Screening
How is unruptured AAA treated?
<5.5 are monitored
Treat lifestyle factors
Strict BP control
Elective surgery or EVAR (stent)
How is ruptured AAA treated?
ABCDE and fluids
AAA graft surgery and clamp
SURGICAL EMERGENCY
What does TAA stand for?
Thoracic abdominal aneurysm
What are the causes of TAA?
Genetic link
Marfans syndrome
Ehlers danlos syndrome
Loeys-dietz syndrome
Weightlifting
Cocaine and amphetamine use
Infection
Outline the pathophysiology of TAA
Inflammation, proteolysis and reduced survival of smooth muscles in aorta wall
What are the signs and symptoms of TAA?
Mostly asymptomatic
Pain in chest, neck, upper back
Aortic regurgitation
Collapse, shock and death
Tamponade
How is TAA diagnosed?
Aortography to assess position of branches
TOE (Transoesophageal echocardiography)
CT or MRI
How is TAA treated?
Immediate surgery for rupture
Surgery for symptomatic TAA
BP control
Treat underlying cause
Define aortic dissection
Tear in intima resulting in blood dissecting through media and separating layers
What is the most common emergency affecting the aorta?
Aortic dissection
What is the most common medical emergency?
STEMI
What are the risk factors of aortic dissection?
hypertension- MOST COMMON
Male sex
Increased age
Congenital tissue disorders
Trauma
Smoking
What are the 3 classifications of aortic dissection?
Acute: <2 weeks
Subacute: 2-8 weeks
Chronic: 8< weeks
What are the 5 causes of aortic dissection?
Inherited
Degenerative
Atherosclerotic
Inflammatory
Trauma. (Eg. RTA)
Outline the pathophysiology of aortic dissection
- Tear in intima
- Blood enters aortic wall and forms haematoma
- Separates intima from adventitia -> false lumen
- False lumen extends
- Tear occurs
What are the 2 directions of false lumen growth in aortic dissection?
Anterograde: towards bifurcations
Retrograde: towards aortic root
What are the 2 most common sites of intimal tears in aortic dissection?
2-3cm from aortic valve
Distal to left subclavian in descending aorta
Describe the 2 Stanford classifications of aortic dissection
A: ascending aorta and aortic arch (70%)
B: descending aorta (30%)
What are the signs and symptoms of aortic dissection?
Sudden and severe chest pain radiating to back and down arms
“Tearing” pain
Pain maximal since onset (unlike MI)
Uneven arm pulses
Lack of distal pulse
What are the differential diagnoses of aortic dissection?
MI
MSK pain
Pericarditis
Acute coronary syndrome
Cholecystitis
How is aortic dissection diagnosed?
GS: CT angiogram
TOE (echo)
CXR shows >8cm widened mediastinum
What are 4 treatments for aortic dissection?
Antihypertensives (IV GTN)
Analgesia
Surgery
Stents
What are the complications of aortic dissection?
Death due to rupture (80% mortality)
Tamponade
Limb ischemia
Pre renal AKI
Ischemic stroke
What is an arrhythmia?
Abnormality in cardiac rhythm
What is one of the 10 rules of ECGs (involving the PR interval)?
Should be 120-200 miliseconds (3-5 small squares)
What is one of the 10 rules of ECGs (involving QRS complex width)?
Width of QRS complex should be no longer than 110ms (<3 little squares)
What is one of the 10 rules of ECGs (involving QRS in leads 1 and 2)
It should be dominantly upright
What is one of the 10 rules of ECGs (involving QRS and T waves)?
Should be in the same direction in the limb lead
What is one of the 10 rules of ECGs (in the AVR lead)?
All waves are negative
What is one of the 10 rules of ECGs (involving the R and S waves)?
R wave must grow from V1 to V4
S wave must grow from V1 to V3 and disappear in V6
What is one of the 10 rules of ECGs (involving ST segment)?
Should start isoelectric except in V1 and V2 where it should be elevated
What is one of the 10 rules of ECGs (involving P waves)?
P waves should be upright in 1,2 and V2 to V6
What is one of the 10 rules of ECGs (involving Q wave)?
There should be no/small (0.04s) in width in 1,2, and V2 to V6
What are the 2 main types of arrhythmia?
Bradycardia
Tachycardia
Define bradycardia
Slow hear rate (<60bpm in day and <50bpm at night)
Define tachycardia
Fast heart rate (>100bpm)
What are the 2 subdivisions of tachycardia?
Supraventricular tachycardias
Ventricular tachycardias
Where do supraventricular tachycardias arise from?
Atrium or AV junction
Where do ventricular tachycardias come from?
Ventricles
How does the nervous system induce tachycardia?
Reduced parasympathetic tone
Increased sympathetic tone
How does the nervous system induce bradycardia?
Increased parasympathetic tone
Decreased sympathetic tone
What are the 4 types of supraventricular tachycardia?
Atrial fibrillation
Atrial flutter
AVRT (Wolff-Parkinson White Syndrome)
AVNRT
What is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia?
Atrial fibrillation
Define atrial fibrillation
Uncoordinated irregular atrial rhythm of 300-600bpm
-uncoordinated atrial activation and ineffective atrial contraction
Outline the epidemiology of atrial fibrillation
More common in men
5-15% of over 75s
What are the 5 classifications of atrial fibrillation?
Acute: onset <48 hours
Paroxysmal: self limiting- stops spontaneously within 7 days
Recurrent: 2 or more episodes
Persistent: >7 days
Permanent
What are the causes of atrial fibrillation?
Idiopathic
Inflammation, increased pressure, fibrosis ect
Hypertension (MC)
Heart failure (MC)
CHD
VHD
Surgery
Alcohol
What are the risk factors of atrial fibrillation?
Age
Diabetes
Hypertension
CAD
Obesity
Structural defects
Outline the pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation
- Uncoordinated activity = atrial spasm
- AV node responds intermittently so irregular ventricular rhythm
- Ventricules cant empty -> decreased CO and increased risk of thromboembolic events
What are the symptoms of atrial fibrillation?
Highly variable
Palpitations
Irregular pulse
Dysponea and chest pain
Fatigue
How is atrial fibrillation diagnosed on an ECG?
Absent P waves
Irregular and rapid QRS
How is atrial fibrillation treated acutely?
- Cardioversion
- Ventricular rate control
-CCB
-BB
-digoxin- anti-arrhythmic
What is an example of a CCB used to treat arrhythmias?
Verapamil
What is an example of a beta blocker?
Bisoprolol
What is an example of an anti-arrhythmic?
Amiodarone
How is cardioversion achieved?
DC shock (defibrillator)
- low weight heparin given
If fails give IV anti arrhythmic
What are 2 examples of molecular low weight heparins?
Enoxaparin
Dalteparin
What are the 2 methods of controlling atrial fibrillation?
Rate control (1st line)
Rhythm control
When is rhythm control used over rate control in atrial fibrillation?
RANCH
Reversible
Ablation
New onset
Clinical judgment ie. Rate control doesnt work
Heart failure caused by AF
What are 4 methods of controlling rate in atrial fibrillation?
- Beta blocker / AV node slowing CCB (Dilitiazem)
- Verapamil
- 2nd line: digoxin the amiodarone
How is rhythm control achieved in atrial fibrillation?
Cardioversion
- flecainide if no defects
- amiodarone if defects (huge Side effects so use with old people)
+ electrical Cardioversion
What anticoagulants are used to treat atrial fibrillation?
DOACs
Eg Apixaban or Rivaroxaban
How do DOACs work?
Directly inhibit factors of the coagulation cascade eg factor Xa and IIa
How does warfarin work?
Vitamin K antagonist
How is CHA2DS2-VASc score calculated?
Congestive heart failure (1)
Hypertension (1)
Age greater or=75 (2)
DM (1)
Stroke/TIA/TE (2)
Vascular disease (1)
Age 65-74 (1)
Female Sex (1)
What CHA2DS2-VASc indicates a need for anticoagulation?
1+ for men
2+ for women
What are 3 examples of NOACs/DOACs?
Dabigatran
Apixaban
Edoxaban
How is HASBLED score calculated?
Hypertension (1)
Abnormal liver/ kidney function (1/2)
Stroke(1)
Bleeding (1)
Labile INR (1)
Elderly >65 (1)
Drug or alcohol abuse (1/2)
What HASBLED score indicates that anti coagulation is not advisable?
3+
What are the complications of atrial fibrillation?
Heart failure
Ischemic stroke
Define atrial flutter
Organised atrial rhythm with an atrial rate of 250-350BPM
Where is atrial flutter most common?
Right atrium
What are the causes of atrial flutter?
Idiopathic (1/3)
Structural defects
Anti arrhythmics for AF
Lung issues (eg COPD)
Alcohol intoxication
What are the risk factors for atrial flutter?
Atrial fibrillation
What are the clinical presentations of atrial flutter?
Palpitations
Breathlessness
Dizziness
Chest pain
Syncope
Fatigue
What are the signs of atrial flutter on an ECG?
Sawtooth pattern (F waves) between QRS complex
Regular rhythm
Narrow QRS
How is atrial flutter treated?
Cardioversion (acute)
Rhythm/rate control with anticoagulant and BB
Basically the same as AF
When are SVTs usually seen?
Young people with little to no structural defects
12-30 years old
AVN essential component
What does AVRT stand for?
Atrioventricular re-entrant tachycardia
What is the most common type of AVRT?
Wolff-Parkinson White Syndrome
Define AVRT
Accessory pathway/ abnormal connection exists in the heart, and this can bypass the AV node
What is the accessory pathway known as in WPW (wolf Parkinson white)?
Bundle of Kent
What occurs in WPW?
normal AV conduction and also an accessory pathway
Atrium -> ventricle too quickly- PRE EXCITATION
What are 3 ways that AVRT is reflected on an ECG?
Delta waves (notch at beginning of QRS complex)
Wide QRS complex
Short PR interval
What are the symptoms of AVRT?
WPW can be asymptomatic
Severe dizziness
Syncope
Palpitations
Dysponea
How are patients with unstable AVRT characterised?
Hypotension
Pulmonary oedema
How is unstable AVRT treated?
Emergency Cardioversion
What is cardioversion?
Medical procedure using quick low energy shocks to restore heart rhythm
How is stable AVRT treated (1st line)?
Vagal manoeuvres
- Valsalva manoeuvre (1st line)
- Carotid massage
- Breath-holding
How is stable AVRT treated if 1st line doesnt work?
IV adenosine
DC cardioversion