Cardiology Flashcards
How do NICE define hypertension? (2)
> 140/90 in a clinical setting.
> 135/95 with ambulatory or home readings
Give 5 secondary causes of Hypertension
ROPED
Renal Disease (most common)
Obesity
Pregnancy/Pre-eclampsia
Endocrine
Drugs
If blood pressure is high and does not respond to treatment, what diagnosis should be considered? And what investigation confirms diagnosis?
Renal artery stenosis
Duplex ultrasound or MR or CT angiogram
Give 6 possible complications of hypertension
Ischaemic heart disease (angina and acute coronary syndrome).
Stroke/Intracranial haemorrhage
Vascular disease
Hypertensive retinopathy
Vascular dementia
Heart failure
Define stage 1 hypertension
Clinic reading >140/90
Ambulatory reading >135/85
Define stage 2 hypertension
Clinic reading >160/100
Ambulatory reading >150/95
Define stage 3 hypertension
Clinic reading >180/120
What investigations should be performed in new patients with hypertension to test for end organ damage? (4)
Urine albumin:creatinine ratio and dipstick (proteinuria/haematirua)
Bloods for HbA1c, renal function and lipids
Fundus examination (hypertensive retinopathy)
ECG (left ventricular hypertrophy)
What risk assessment is used to calculate the % risk that a patient will have a stroke or MI in the next 10 years?
QRISK
What does QRISK assess?
The % risk that a patient will have a stroke or MI in the next 10 years
When QRISK score is >10% what should be offered?
Statin - atorvastatin 20mg at night
What is the moa of statins?
Reduce cholesterol production in the liver by inhibiting HMG CoA reductase
What do NICE recommend with regards to starting patients on statins?
To check lipids after 3 months and at 12 months.
Increase the dose to aim for a >40% reduction in non-HDL cholesterol.
Other than statins, name 2 other cholesterol lowering drugs.
Ezetimibe - Inhibits absorption of cholesterol in the intestine
Evolocumab/Alirocumab (PCSK9 inhibitors - monoclonal antibodies)
Name 3 renal diseases that would cause hypertension
Glomerulonephritis
Chronic pyelonephritis
Polycystic kidneys
Name 3 endocrine diseases that may cause hypertension
Cushing’s disease
Conn’s disease (hyperaldosteronism)
Phaochromocytoma
Define malignant hypertension and give 3 symptoms
Describes acute/rapid rise in blood pressure leading to severe vascular damage.
Symptoms include;
Bilateral retinal haemorrhage and exudates
Headache
Visual disturbance (papilloedema)
Give 5 risk factors for hypertension
Age >65
Moderate/high alcohol intake + smoking
Physical inactivity, obesity and poor diet
Family history
Diabetes mellitus and hyperuricaemia
How is a diagnosis of hypertension confirmed?
Ambulatory/Home Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM/HBPM)
Describe the hypertension treatment ladder for patients <55 and NOT black African/Afro-Caribbean.
- ACEi/ARB
- ACE/ARB + CCB or Thiazide-like diuretic (indapamide)
- ACE/ARB + CCB + Thiazide-like diuretic (indapamide)
- Measure potassium levels.
If K+ is LESS than 4.5mmol/L give Spironolactone
If K+ is ABOVE 4.5mmol/L give alpha/beta blocker
Describe the treatment ladder for patients >55 and/or are of Black African/Afro-Caribbean origin
- CCB
- CCB + ACEi/ARB or Thiazide-like diuretic (indapamide)
- ACE/ARB + CCB + Thiazide-like diuretic (indapamide)
- Measure potassium levels.
If K+ is LESS than 4.5mmol/L give Spironolactone
If K+ is ABOVE 4.5mmol/L give alpha/beta blocker
What’s the first drug you would prescribe to a 45 year old white male with hypertension?
ACEi/ARB
What’s the first drug you would prescribe to a 58 year old white male presenting with hypertension?
CCB
Name 4 calcium channel blockers
Verapamil
Diltiazem
Nifedipine
Amlodipine
What drug should NOT be given with verapamil (CCB)? And why?
Beta Blockers
Can cause a heart block
Give 4 side effects of verapamil (CCB)
Heart failure
Constipation
Hypotension/bradycardia
Flushing
Give 3 side effects of diltiazem
Hypotension/bradycardia
Heart failure
Ankle swelling
What is the moa of ACEi? (2)
Inhibits conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II.
Decreases in angiotensin II levels = vasodilation and reduced blood pressure + decrease in sodium and water retention in the kidney.
Describe 1 renoprotective mechanism of ACEi
Angiotensin II constricts the efferent glomerular arterioles.
ACEi therefore dilate the efferent arterioles which reduces glomerylar capillary pressure, reducing mechanical stress on the filtration barriers of the glomeruli.
This is important in preventing diabetic nephropathy
Give 4 side effects of ACEi
Cough (due to increased bradykinin levels)
Angioedema
Hyperkalaemia
First-dose hypotension
Give 4 contraindications for ACEi use
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Renovascular disease (may result in renal impairment)
Aortic stenosis (may result in hypotension)
Hereditary of idiopathic angioedema
When using thiazide like diuretics, ACE inhibitors and spironolactone, what is it useful to monitor? and why?
U+Es
As Spironolactone and ACEi’s increase risk of hyperkalaemia
Name 4 drugs used in a hypertensive emergency (malignant hypertension)
Sodium nitroprusside
Labetalol
Glyceryl trinitrate
Nicardipine
Give 4 factors contributing to endothelial damage within blood vessels.
Bacterial infection (pneumonia)
Smoking
Inflammation
Low Density Lipoproteins (LDLs)
Describe the pathophysiology of atherosclerotic plaque formation (3)
- Initiation - Fatty streaks and Foam Cells
- Recruitment - Intermediate lesion formation (formed from smooth muscle cells, platelets and T lymphocytes)
- Advanced Lesions - Atheromatous plaque formation w/ Dense fibrous cap made from collagen, elastin and smooth muscle cells
Define angina
Describes chest pain caused by insufficient blood supply to heart muscle.
Here the myocardial oxygen demand transiently exceeds the supply, resulting in reversible myocardial ischaemia.
Name 4 types of angina
Stable angina (induced by effort, relieved by rest)
Unstable angina (occurs on minimal exertion or at rest)
Prinzmetal angina (occurs at rest due to coronary vasospasm)
Syndrome X (angina pain with NO evidence of atherosclerosis)
Give 4 causes of angina (which is the main?).
Atherosclerosis (main cause)
Anaemia
Aortic Stenosis
Arteritis/small vessel disease
Give 3 modifiable and 3 non-modifiable risk factors of angina
Modifiable; Hypertension, Smoking, Obesity
Non-modifiable; Age, Male, Family History
Describe the clinical presentation of Typical Angina (3)
Presents with all 3 of the following;
- Precipitated by physical exertion
- Constricting discomfort in the chest, neck, shoulders or jaw.
- Relieved by GTN spray or rest
Desribe the clinical presentation of atypical angina
Presents with 2 of the typical symptoms and atypical symptoms such as;
GI discomfort and/or breathlessness and/or nausea
What investigation confirms a diagnosis of angina?
CT coronary angiography
Confirmed when coronary artery disease is found or when irreversible myocardial ischaemia is found.
What other investigations may be useful to perform when investigating angina? And why? (5)
ECG (may show signs of previous MI - Pathological Q waves, LBBB, ST elevation, flat/inverted T waves)
Troponin (should be unchanged in angina due to ischemia not infarction)
LFTs - required before starting statins
HbA1c - exclude diabetes
FBC - exclude anaemia
What are the 5 principles of angina management?
RAMPS;
Refer to cardiology
Advise about diagnosis, management and when to call an ambulance
Medical treatment
Procedural or surgical investigations
Secondary Prevention
What are the 3 aims of medical management of angina?
Immediate symptomatic relief (GTN spray)
Long term symptomatic relief (Beta blocker/CCB)
Secondary prevention (4As Aspirin, Atorvastatin, ACEi, Already on a beta blocker)
What is the 1st line treatment for angina?
GTN Spray + Beta blocker/Calcium Channel Blocker
Describe CCB use in the treatment of angina
If using CCB as a monotherapy, use RATE LIMITING CCB - Verapamil/Diltiazem
If using in conjunction with BB use SLOW RELEASE DIHYDROPYRIDINE - Nifedipine
What are the 2nd line treatments of angina? (4)
Isosorbide mononitrate (Long acting nitrate)
Ivabradine (inhibits funny channels)
Nicorandil (K channel inhibitor)
Ranolazine (inhibits late Na currents - prolongs ventricular action potential)
What is the moa of a beta blocker
Reduce force of contraction (negative inotrope) by acting on B1 receptors
What is the moa of CCB
Primary arterodilators - Dilate systemic arteries so reduces afterload (reducing blood pressure)
What drugs are used in the secondary prevention of angina?
4As
Aspirin 75mg OD
Atorvastatin 80mg OD
ACEi (If diabetes, hypertension, CKD or Heart failure are also present)
Already on a beta blocker
Name 2 surgical options for the treatment of angina.
Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)
Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)
Name 3 potential graft vessels used for CABG
Saphenous vein (inner leg)
Internal thoracic artery (internal mammary artery)
Radial artery
Define acute coronary syndrome.
An umbrella term used to describe a range of conditions associated with a sudden reduction to blood flow to the heart.
(Acute presentations of ischaemic heart disease).
Name 3 types of Acute Coronary Syndrome
Unstable Angina
Non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI)
ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)
Name 2 investigations (and their findings) used in diagnosis of STEMI
ECG - ST elevation (V2/V3), Pathological Q waves, LBBB)
Elevated Troponin
Give 5 clinical features of STEMI
Acute central chest pain lasting >20 mins
Nausea
Sweatiness
Palpitations
Dyspnoea
Describe the immediate management of a STEMI
MONA;
Morphine (if in severe pain)
O2 (only if sats <94%)
Nitrates
Aspirin 300mg (with ticagrelor unless there is a bleeding risk, otherwise offer clopidogrel)
What are the 2 types of coronary reperfusion therapy offered to STEMI patients? When are they offered?
Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) - Offered if presentation is within 12 hours of onset AND PCI can be delivered in 120 of time fibrinolysis could have been given
Fibrinolysis - Offered if presentation is within 12 hours of onset and PCI cannot be delivered within 120 minutes of the time when fibrinolysis could have been given.
What medications are used in fibrinolysis? What is their moa?
Streptokinase/Alteplase
Act as thrombolytics by activating plasminogen to form plasmin, which degrades fibrin and breaks up thrombi.
Describe the secondary prevention of MI.
ADBSA
ACEi (ramipril) (or ARB - candesartan)
Dual Antiplatelet Therapy (Clopidogrel + Aspirin)
Beta Blocker (Propranolol) (Use CCB - verapamil if bb contraindicated)
Statin (Atorvastatin)
Aldosterone antagonists (Spironolactone) (offered to patients who had an acute MI AND who have symptoms of heart failure)
How do NSTEMIs differ to STEMIs?
NSTEMI patients present with moderate myocardial necrosis (not as much as STEMI), typically due to partial occlusion of a coronary artery.
What may an NSTEMI ECG display? (3)
ST Depression
Deep T wave inversion
No pathological Q waves
Describe troponin levels in NSTEMI
Elevated (due to infarction)
Describe troponin levels in unstable angina
Unchanged (due to ischemia, not infarction)
What score is used in NSTEMI/Unstable angina? What does it predict?
GRACE score.
Used to predict 6 month mortality + risk of future cardiac events
Describe the immediate management of NSTEMI/Unstable angina (4)
Immediate coronary angiography
Aspirin (ASAP)
Fondaparinux (antithrombin) (unless high bleeding risk)
MONA - Morphine, Oxygen, Nitrates, Aspirin