Cardiology Flashcards
Define mitral regurgitation
Backflow through the mitral valve during systole
Causes of mitral regurgiation
- Functional (LV dilitation)
- Infective endocarditis
- Rheumatic fever
- Annualar calcification (elderly)
- Mitral valve prolapse
Symptoms of mitral regurgitation
- Dyspnoea
- Fatigue
- Palpitations
- Symptoms of causative factor (e.g. fever)
Signs of mitral regurgitation
- AF
- Displaced hyperdynamic apex
- Pansystolic murmur at the apex radiating to the axilia
Tests for mitral regurgitation
- ECG (AF, LVH)
- CXR (Big LA and LV, Mitral valve calcification, Pulmonary oedema)
- Transoesophageal echo (diagnostic)
Why use a transoesphogeal echocardiogram with mitral regurgitation
Assess LV function and MR severity and aetiology
Causes of mitral stenosis
- Rheumatic fever
- Congenital
- Prosthetic valve
When do symptoms and signs of mitral stenosis appear?
When the mitral valve orifice area is less than 2cm squared
(usually 4-6cm squared)
How does mitral stenosis present?
Pulmonary hypertension causes:
* Dyspnoea
* Haemoptysis
* Chronic bronchitis picture
Pressure from large left atrium on local structures causes:
* Hoarseness (recurrent laryngeal nerve)
* Dysphagia (oesophagus)
* Bronchial obstruction
Also:
* Fatigure
* Palpitations
* Chest pain
* Systemic emboli
Signs of mitral stenosis
- Malar flush on cheeks (due to ↓CO)
- AF (often due to enlarged LA)
- Rumbling mid-diastolic murmur
- Non-displaced apex beat
Tests for mitral stenosis
- ECG (AF, P-mitrale, RVH)
- CXR (LA enlargement, pulmonary oedema, mitral valave calcification)
- Transopesophageal echocardiogram (diagnostic)
Causes of aortic stenosis
- Senile calcification (most common)
- Congenital (bicuspid aortic valve)
- Rheumatic heart disease
Presentation of aortic stenosis
(Think about elderly person with chest pain, exertional dyspnoea or syncope)
Classic triad:
* Angina
* Syncope
* Heart failure
Other:
* Dyspnoea
* Dizziness
* Faints
* Systemic emboli (if IE)
* Sudden death
Signs of aortic stenosis
- Slow rising pulse with narrow pulse pressure (feel for diminished and delayed carotid upstroke -* parvus et tardus*)
- Non-displaced apex beat (heaving)
- Ejection systolic murmur (radiates to carotids)
Tests for aortic stenosis
- ECG (LVH with strain pattern, P-mitrale, LBBB or complete AV block (calcified ring))
- CXR (LVH, calcified aortic valve, post stenotic dilitation of ascending aortic)
- Echo (diagnostic)
- Doppler echo (estimate gradient across valves)
Differential diagnosis for aortic stenosis
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- Aortic sclerosis
Causes of aortic regurgitation (acute and chronic)
Acute:
* Infective endocarditis
* Ascending aortic dissection
* Chest trauma
Chronic:
* Congenital
* Connective tissue disorders (Marfan’s, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome)
* Rheumatic fever
Symptoms of aortic regurgitation
- Exertional dyspnoea
- Orthopnoea
- Palpitations
- Angina
- Syncope
Signs of aortic regurgitation
- Collapsing pulse
- Wide pulse pressure
- Displaced hyperdynamic beat
- High-pitched early diastolic murmur
Tests for aortic regurgitation
- ECG (LVH)
- CXR (Cardiomegaly, dilated descending aorta, pulmonary oedema)
- Echo (diagnostic)
What are cardiac natriuretic peptides? Name them from the artia and ventricles
Natriuretic peptides = released from the stretching of atria or ventriculaar muscles/raised atrial or ventricular pressures → causes sodium + water excretion
* Atrial natriuretic peptide → from the atria
- B (brain) natriuretic peptide → from the ventricles
What are the main effects of cardiac natriuretic peptides?
- increase renal excretion of sodium (natriuresis) and water (diuresis)
- relax vascular smooth muscle (except efferent arterioles of renal glomeruli)
- increase vascular permeability
- inhibit release/actions of → aldosterone, ANG2, endothelin, ADH
What are the effects of nitrates?
- Arterial + venous dilation
- Reducing both preload (venous) and afterload (arteries)
- Lower blood pressure
When are nitrates used?
- IHD → angina
- Heart failure
What are the classes of anti-arrhythmic drugs and give an example for each?
- Sodium channel blockers → flecainide, lidocaine
- Beta adrenceptor antagonists → propanolol (non-selective), metoprolol (Beta-1 selective)
- Prolong the action potential → amiodarone
- Calcium channel blockers → verapamil
What is digoxin used for?
Used in AF to reduce ventricular response rate OR severe heart failure (becuase its positively inotropic)
What does digoxin cause?
- Bradycardia
- Slowing AV conduction (vagal tone)
- Increased ectopic activity
- Increased force of contraction
What are the side effects of digoxin?
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Confusion
Which SGLT2 inhibitor (used in diabetes) has a positive effect on heart failure?
Dapagliflozin
What are 3 types of acute coronary syndrome?
- Unstable angina
- STEMI
- NSTEMI
What is ACS usually caused by?
- A thrombus from an atherosclerotic plaque blocking a coronary artery
- Formed mainly of platelets → antiplatelets (aspirin, clopidogrel, ticagrelor)
The RCA curves around the right side + under the heart to supply which regions of the heart?
- Right atrium
- Right ventricle
- Inferior aspect of left ventricle
- Posterior septal area
The LCA becomes what two cornary arteries?
- Circumflex artery
- Left anterior descending (LAD)
The circumflex artery curves around the top, left and back of the heart and to supply which regions of the heart?
- Left atrium
- Posterior aspect of the left ventricle
The LAD coronary artery travels down the middle of the heart to supply which regions of the heart?
- Anterior aspect of the left ventricle
- Anterior aspect of the septum
What group of patients are at risk of silent MIs?
Diabtetics
How does ACS usually present?
- Central, constricting chest pain
- Pain radiating to jaws or arms
- N + V
- Sweating + clamminess
- A feeling of impending doom
- SOB
- Palpitations
Symptoms should continue at rest for more than 15 minutes.
ECG changes of a STEMI (2)
- ST elevation
- New LBBB
ECG changes in a NSTEMI (2)
- ST depression
- T wave inversion
What do pathological Q waves suggest on an ECG?
- Deep infarction - involving full thickness of the heart muscle (transmural)
- Typically appear 6 or more hours after onset of symptoms
Name the heart areas supplied by the LCA, RCA, LAD, Cx
- LCA - Anterolateral
- LAD - anterior
- Cx - Lateral
- RCA - Inferior
What is a troponin associated with?
Myocardial ischaemia
(They are released from ischaemic muscle tissue)
Troponin results are used to diagnose which ACS?
NSTEMI
(STEMI just used ECG + clinical presentation)
Troponin is a non-specific marker, apart form ACS, when can it also rise?
- Chronic kidney disease
- Sepsis
- Myocarditis
- Aortic dissection
- Pulmonary embolism
A high troponin or rising troponin indicates what?
NSTEMI
Apart from ECG and troponin levels, what other investigations can be performed for acute coronary syndromes?
- Baseline bloods, including FBC, U&E, LFT, lipids and glucose
- Chest x-ray to investigate for pulmonary oedema and other causes of chest pain
- Echocardiogram once stable to assess the functional damage to the heart, specifically the left ventricular function
A patient with acute constricting central chest pain requires what tests to diagnose which ACS?
- ECG
- Troponin
What is the diagnostic criteria for a STEMI?
- ST elevation
- New LBBB
What is the diagnostic criteria for an NSTEMI?
- Raised troponin
- ST depression
- T wave inversion
Diagnostic criteria for unstable angina
- Normal troponin
- Normal ECG or ST depression/T wave inversion
If a patient presents with central constricting chest pain and their troponin and ECG return normal, what are the possible diagnoses?
- Unstable angina
- Other - Musculoskeletal chest pain
What is the mneumonic for the inital management for a patient presenting with ACS symptoms?
CPAIN
* C - Call for an ambulance
* P - Perform an12-lead ECG
* A - Aspirin (300mg)
* I - IV morphine for pain if required (with an antiemetic e.g. metoclopramide)
* N - Nitrate (GTN)
What is the management for a STEMI?
- Within 2 hours: Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) (angiography + angioplasty)
- After 2 hours: Thrombolysis (fibrinolytic agent - streptokinase, atleplase)
What is the management for a NSTEMI?
BATMAN
* B - Beta-blockers (if not contrindicated)
* A- Aspirin (300mg stat dose) - chewed pref.
* T - Ticagrelor (180mg stat dose) (clopidogrel if high bleeding risk)
* M - Morphine (titrated for pain)
* A - Antithrombin therapy (fondaparinux)
* N - Nitrate (GTN)
Give oxygen only if their saturation drops (less than 95% in someone wit
What does the GRACE score indicate?
Gives a 6 month probability of death after having an NSTEMI
A patient having an NSTEMI has a 4% on the GRACE score, what risk are they considered to have and what management is then considered?
- Medium to high risk
- Considered for early angiography with PCI (within 72 hours)
What is the ongoing management for ACS (after intial)?
- Echocardiogram once stable to assess the functional damage to the heart, specifically the left ventricular function
- Cardiac rehabilitation
- Secondary prevention
What are the medications involved in the seondary prevention for ACS?
The 6As
* Aspirin (75mg OD)
* Another Antiplatelet (ticagrelor, clopidogrel)
* Atorvastatin
* ACEi (ramipril)
* Atenolol (or another beta blocker - usually bisoprolol)
* Aldosterone antagonist (for those with clinical heart failure (eplerenone)
What electrolyte imbalance can ACEis and aldosterone antagonists cause?
Hyperkalaemia
(closely monitor renal function)
What are the complications of a myocardial infarction? (mneumonic)
DREAD
D - Death
R - Rupture of the heart septum or papillary muscles
E - oEdema (heart failure)
A - Arrhythmia or aneurysm
D - Dressler’s syndrome
What is Dressler’s syndrome?
A post-myocardial infarction syndrome → Pericarditis
How does Dressler’s syndrome present?
- Usually occurs 2-3 weeks after an acute myocardial infarction
- Pleuritic chest pain
- Low-grade fever
- Pericardial rub on auscultation
(A pericardial rub is a rubbing, scratching sound that occurs alongside the heart sounds)
What is a complication of Dressler’s syndrome?
- Pericardial effusion
- Pericardial tamponade (rarely) (pericardial fluid constricts the heart + inhibits its function)
Diagnostic criteria for Dressler’s syndrome
- ECG (global ST elevation + T wave inversion)
- Echocardiogram (pericardial effusion)
- Raised inflammatory markers (CRP + ESR)
Management of Dressler’s syndrome
- NSAIDs: aspirin, ibuprofen
- Severe cases: Prednisolone
- Pericardiocentesis: Remove fluid from heart - if there is a significant pericardial effusion
What is a STEMI?
- Develop a complete occlusion of a MAJOR coronary artery
previously affected by atherosclerosis - This causes full thickness damage of heart muscle (transmural)
What is an NSTEMI?
- Occurs by developing a complete occlusion of a MINOR or a partial occlusion of a major coronary artery previously affected by atherosclerosis
- This causes** partial thickness damage of heart muscle**
Very brief pathology of an MI
Plaque rupture 🡪 development of thrombosis 🡪 total occlusion of coronary artery 🡪 myocardial cell death
Describe the pain associated with ACS
- Longer than 20 mins
- Not relieved by GTN spray
- Pain may radiate to left arm, neck and/or jaw
- Occurs at rest
Differential diagnosis for chest pain
- Cardiac – ACS, Aortic dissection, pericarditis, myocarditis
- Respiratory – PE, pneumonia, pleurisy, lung cancer
- MSK – rib fracture, chest trauma, costochondritis (inflammation of the cartilage between the ribs and sternum)
- GORD
- Oesophageal spasm
- Anxiety/panic attacks
What is unstable angina also called and why?
Crescendo Angina
(Crescendo pattern of pain → gets worse and worse more readily)
What is unstable (crescendo) angina)
An acute coronary syndrome (ACS) that is defined by the absence of biochemical evidence of myocardial damage
Signs and symptoms of ACS (separately)
Signs:
* Pallor
* Increased pulse + reduced BP
* Reduced 4th heart sound
* Tachy/bradycardia
* Peripherial oedema
Symptoms:
* Central, crushing chest pain (elephant sitting on it)
* Pleuritic chest pain
* N + V
* Dyspnoea
* Fatigue
* SOB
* Palpitations
Name two P2Y12 inhibitors (antiplatelet therapy)
- Ticagrelor
- Clopidogrel
Managment of unstable angina
- Aspirin 300 mg (chewed or dispersed in water)
- Sublingual glyceryl trinitrate (GTN)
- Morphine + anti-emetic (metoclopramide)
- Clopidogrel
Like NSTEMI (this answer is just shorter than BATMAN)
Name some risk factor modifications for ACS
- Smoking cessation
- Lose weight
- Healthy diet
- Exercise
Complications of unstable angina
Complications – DARTH VADER
- Death
- Arrhythmias
- Ruptured septum
- Tamponade
- HF
- Valve disease
- Aneurysm of ventricle
- Dressler’s syndrome – pericarditis and pericardial effusion after 2-12 weeks
- Embolism
- Reoccurrence of ACS
Define angina
- Narrowing of the coronary arteries → reduced blood flow to myocardium
- During times of high demand such as exercise there is insufficient supply of blood to meet demand.
- This causes symptoms the symptoms of angina, typically constricting chest pain with or without radiation to jaw or arms.
What is the difference between stable and unstable angina?
- Stable angina = always relieved glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) or rest
- Unstable angina = symptoms come on randomly whilst at rest (an ACS)
Sx of stable angina
1) chest pressure or squeezing lasting several minutes
2) provoked by exercise or emotional stress,
3) relieved by rest or glyceryl trinitrate
Ix for angina
- 12-lead resting ECG (normal)
- FBC (anaemia)
- HbA1c + fasting glucose (diabetes)
- U&Es (required before starting an ACE inhibitor and other medications)
- LFTs (required before starting statins)
- Lipid profile
- Cardiac stress testing - patient exercise whilst on ECG (or echo, MRI)
What is the gold-standard for determining coronary artery disease? E.g. angina
CT coronary angiography (with contrast)
What are the three aims of medical management for stable angina? Example of each
- Symptomatic treatment → GTN spray (headaches, dizziness)
- Long-term symptomatic relief → beta blocker (bisprolol) + calcium channel blocker (verapamil)
- Secondary prevention (of CVD) → 4 As (Aspirin 75mg, Atorvastatin, ACEi, Already on a beta blocker for symptomatic relief)
What are the surgical procedures offered to patients with severe stable angina and where treatements do not control symptoms?
- PCI (percutaneous coronary intervention)
- CABG (coronary artery bypass graft)
What is stable angina also called?
Angina Pectoris
Define preload
Amount of blood in the left ventricle before contraction
Define afterload
Stress on the ventricular wall during systole
What is heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF)?
- Systolic HF
- Inability of the ventricle to contract normally (‘pump dysfunction’) → reduced CO
- Ejection fraction <40%
- Causes: Cardiomyopathy, IHD, MI
What is heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF)?
- Diastolic HF
- Inability of the ventricle to relax + fill normall → causing increased filling pressures (‘filling dysfunction)
- Ejection fraction >50%
- Causes: Constrictive pericarditis, restrictive cardiomyopathy, obesity
What is the minimum diameter for an AAA?
3cm dilated abdominal aorta
Rx and causes of an AAA
- ATHEROSCLEROSIS
- Inflammation
- Increased age
- Hypertension
- Existing CVD
Brief pathology of AAA
- Degradation of tunica media + adventitia → vessel dilation
- Most importnat risk factor = atherosclerosis
- 99% true aneurysms
- Most occur below renal arteries (AA lacks vasa vasorum → more susceptible to ischaemia)
Most AAAs are what?
Asymptomatic
What is the triad of 50% of AAAs?
- Flank, back and (non-specific) back pain
- Hypotension
- Pulsatile abdominal mass
Most AAAs are asymptomatic
First line and gold-standard Ix for an AAA
- First line: Aortic ultrasound, FBC, blood cultures
- Gold standard: CT angiogram (more detailed picture)
Management of AAA
- Surveillance
- Surgical repair: endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR)
Where do aortic dissections most commonly affect?
Ascending aortic and aortic arch
What system is used to classify aortic dissections?
Stanford system
* Type A: ascending aorta
* Type B: descending aorta
What is an aortic dissection?
- Separation in the aortic wall intima
- → causing blood flow into a new false channel composed of the inner + outer layers of the media.
Causes and Rx of aortic dissection
- Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV)
- Coarctation of aorta
- Hypertension
- Marfan syndrome
- Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
What is the pain associated with an aortic dissection?
- Sudden onset, severe ‘ripping’ or ‘tearing’ chest pain
- Anterior chest pain → ascending aorta is affected
- Back pain → descending aorta is affected.
- The pain may change location (migrate) over time.
Signs and symptoms of an aortic dissection
Signs:
* Hypertension → hypotension
* Differences in BP between arms (more than 20 mmHg)
* Radial pulse deficit in one arm
Symptoms:
* Severe chest AND abdominal pain
* Collapse (syncope) - red flag
First line Ix (+ gold standard) for aortic dissection
- CT angiogram (initial Ix to confirm the diagnosis)
- ECG + CXR (exclude MI)
- High-sensitivity troponin, FBC, CRP, blood gas
Differentials for aortic dissection
- Acute coronary syndrome
- Pericarditis
- Aortic aneurysm (Aortic dissection = chest + abdominal pain)
- Musculoskeletal pain
- Pulmonary embolus
First line treatment for an aortic dissection
- Beta-blockers (metoprolol IV) → BP + HR control
- Thoracic endovaascular aortic repair (TEVAR)
- IV morphine