Cardiology Flashcards
What is the pathophysiology of stable angina?
During times of high demand e.g. exercise there is insufficient supply of blood to meet the demand due to narrowing of coronary arteries
What are the 3 typical symptoms of angina?
- Precipitated by physical exertion
- Constricting pain in chest, neck, shoulder, jaws or arms
- Relieved by rest or GTN spray
What is the gold standard investigation for stable angina?
Invasive coronary angiography
What medical management should be given for short and long term symptomatic relief of stable angina?
GTN spray/sublingual tablet, beta blocker or CCB (diltiazem/verapamil)
When are angina patients considered for procedural or surgical interventions and what are they?
If still getting angina pain on two anti-anginals –> interventions
PCI = 1st line
CABG = used in those with more severe/extensive disease
What secondary prevention is required in those with angina?
Aspirin 75mg OD
Atorvastatin 80mg OD
ACE inhibitors (if co-morbidities)
How can you differentiate between STEMI, NSTEMI and unstable angina?
STEMI - ECG changes of ST elevation/new LBBB
NSTEMI = raised troponin with either normal ECG or ST depression/T wave inversion
Unstable angina = normal troponin with either normal ECG or ST depression/T wave inversion
Which coronary artery supplies which area of the heart?
Left coronary artery - anterolateral (I, aVL, V3-V6 )
LAD - anterior (V1-V4)
Circumflex - lateral (I, aVL, V5, V6)
Right coronary - inferior (II, III, aVF)
What is the initial management for all types of ACS?
ECG
Aspirin 300mg
IV morphine if required
Antiemetics if required
GTN spray (as long as BP is ok)
Oxygen - if saturations are low
When is PCI used in management of STEMI?
If presenting within 12 hours of onset and PCI is available within 2 hours of presenting - if not they use thrombolysis
If patient is having primary PCI what should they be given in addition to aspirin for dual anti-platelet therapy?
Prasugrel
If patient is having thrombolysis what should they be given in addition to aspirin for dual anti-platelet therapy?
Ticagrelor
What scoring system is used to determine management in NSTEMI/unstable angina and what results are significant?
GRACE score
3% or less is considered low risk
Above 3% is medium to high risk –> PCI within 72 hours
What secondary prevention is done in those with ACS?
Aspirin 75mg OD for life
Another antiplatelet for 12 months
Atorvastatin 80mg OD for life
Bisoprolol titrated as high as possible
ACE inhibitors titrated as high as possible
PRN GTN spray
What is Dressler’s syndrome?
Occurs 2-3 weeks after acute MI, localised immune response that results in inflammation of the pericardium
ECG will show global ST elevation
Management is with NSAIDs
What are the triggers for acute LV heart failure?
Iatrogenic (aggressive IV fluids), MI, arrhythmias, sepsis, hypertensive emergency
What symptoms/signs are common in acute LV failure?
Acute shortness of breath exacerbated by lying flat and improves on sitting up
Bilateral basal crackles on auscultation of lungs
What investigations would you do in someone with acute LV failure?
ECG, bloods (including BNP), ABG, CXR, echo
What is a normal ejection fraction?
> 50%
What is BNP blood test measuring?
BNP is released from the heart ventricles when cardiac muscle is stretched beyond normal i.e. heart is overloaded
What CXR findings are in keeping with heart failure?
Cardiomegaly
Upper lobe diversion
Bilateral pleural effusions
Fluid in interlobar fissures
Fluid in septal lines (Kerley B lines)
What is the management of someone in acute LV failure?
Sit the patient upright
Oxygen
IV furosemide
May require Inotropes/Vasopressors - initiated by specialist, may require ICU admission
What is heart failure with preserved ejection fracture a result of?
Dysfunction of diastole
What are the common causes for heart failure?
IHD, valvular heart disease, hypertension, arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy
What symptoms are associated with heart failure?
Breathlessness (worsened by exertion), cough (may be frothy white), orthopnoea, paroxysmal nocturanl dyspnoea, peripheral oedema, fatigue
What is the medical management for heart failure?
ACE-i/ARB
Beta blocker
Aldosterone antagonist (if reduced EF and not controlled on the two above)
Loop diuretics - given if symptoms of fluid overload
What are the causes of secondary hypertension?
Renal disease, obesity, pregnancy, endocrine disorder such as Conn’s, drugs such as alcohol, steroids, oestrogen
If a patient has a clinical BP of >140/90 but less than 180/120 what should you do?
24 hour ambulatory BP OR home readings
What investigations are performed to assess for end organ damage in hypertension?
Urine ACR and urine dipstick - assess for kidney damage
Bloods - HbA1c, renal function and lipids
Fundus examination for hypertensive retinopathy
ECG - for cardiac abnormalities
If under 55 and Caucasian/T2DM what is the first step in managing HTN?
ACE-inhibitor e.g. ramipril
If over 55 or black what is the first step in managing HTN?
Calcium channel blocker e.g. amlodipine
When is an ARB used over ACE inhibitor in HTN?
Black people and those who do not tolerate ACE-i due to dry cough
What is the side effect commonly associated with CCB and what is an alternative?
Ankle oedema
Thiazide diuretic e.g. indapamide
What is the second step in managing HTN?
ACE inhibitor plus CCB
What is the 3rd step in managing HTN?
ACE inhibitor plus CCB plus thiazide like diuretic
What is the 4th step in managing HTN?
ACE inhibitor plus CCB plus thiazide like diuretic plus another based on K
if serum potassium <4.5mmol consider spironolactone
If serum potassium >4.5mmol consider alpha blocker such as doxazosin
What are you aiming for when treating HTN (dependent on age)?
BP <140/90 in under 80s
BP <150/90 in over 80s
What should be done in a patient with clinic BP of >180/120
Same day referral to assess for retinal haemorrhage or papilloedema
In malignant hypertension with signs of end organ damage what should be done?
Start antihypertensive medication ASAP without waiting for results of home BP monitoring
What are the ECG signs associated with AF?
Absent P waves, chaotic baseline, narrow complex tachy, irregularly irregular ventricular rhythm
Why are patients at AF at increased risk of stroke?
The unco-ordinated atrial activity means that blood can stagnate in the atria forming a blood clot –> block cerebral artery –> ischaemic stroke
What symptoms can be assoicated with AF?
Palpitations, SOB, dizziness, syncope, reduced exercise intolerance
What investigations are done in someone with paroxysmal AF?
24 hour ambulatory ECG or cardiac event recorder