Cardiology Flashcards
Indications for aortic valve replacement?
Symptomatic patient: with transvalvular pressure gradient >40mmHg
Asymptomatic patient: Moderate or severe AS undergoing a CABG
OR Severe AS with LVSD, abnormal BP response to exercise on exercise tolerance test, episodes of VT or valve area <1cm2
How is aortic stenosis managed?
MDT approach, patient education on symptoms of severe AS.
Treat acute episodes of heart failure.
Medical: beta-blockers
Surgical options: mechanical aortic valve, tissue aortic valve, TAVI (trans-aortic valve intervention) if not fit for cardiac surgery
What investigations would you do on a patient with suspected aortic stenosis?
ECG: rhythm, LVH, ischaemic heart disease
CXR: cardiomegaly, pulmonary oedema, calcific valve
TTE: to look for aortic valve area (severe <1cm2) and mean pressure gradient across the valve (severe = >40 mmHg), LV size and function
Coronary angiogram: in case CABG needed at the same time as valve replacement
Causes of aortic stenosis?
Common: calcific degeneration and bicuspid valve (younger pt).
Uncommon: rheumatic heart disease and congenital heart disease.
Rare: IE, alkaptonuria, Paget’s disease
How do you know that the murmur is that of aortic stenosis and not pulmonary stenosis?
The site of the murmur would be different (heart loudest over pulmonary area).
There would likely be a right ventricular heave.
A younger patient is more likely to have pulmonary stenosis.
Pulmonary stenosis is louder on inspiration, whereas AS is louder on expiration.
Differential diagnosis for aortic stenosis?
Aortic sclerosis (will not radiate to carotids)
HOCM (accentuates with vasalva)
Pulmonary stenosis
Supravalvular aortic stenosis
Mitral regurgitation
Clinical signs of aortic stenosis?
Low volume, slow-rising pulse.
Conjunctival pallor.
Heaving apex beat and thrill over aortic area.
Harsh ESM (crescendo-decrescendo) heard loudest over aortic area in expiration. Radiates to the carotids. May be loudest over apex (Gallavardin phenomenon).
Signs of severe AS on clinical examination?
Low volume, slow-rising pulse.
Narrow pulse pressure.
Parasternal heave and thrill over aortic area.
Late peaking ESM.
Soft S2 (due to poorly mobile, stenotic valve).
Reversed split of 2nd heart sound.
4th heart sound.
Clinical signs of heart failure on examination.
What clinical features suggest a significant gradient against the aortic valve in AS?
Quiet 2nd heart sound.
Long duration of the mumur.
Low volume pulses.
Possible complications of prosthetic heart valves?
IE (early and late)
VTE
Complications of anticoagulation
Anaemia (haemolysis / bleeding)
Valve failure (dehiscence, leaking, calcification, stiffening of leaflets)
Differential diagnosis for a midline sternotomy scar without leg scars from vein harvesting?
CABG + LIMA graft.
Valve repair / replacement.
Cardiac surgery for structural heart defects.
Clinical signs of mitral regurgitation?
May have lateral / midline sternotomy scar.
Pulses: AF, small volume
Displaced apex beat with thrill
Pansystolic murmur loudest at the apex, radiating to the axilla. Loudest in expiration. Wide splitting of A2 P2.
May have other murmurs / aortic metallic valve (metallic 2nd heart sound)
Signs of severity of MR?
Presence of AF (late sign).
LV failure.
NOT murmur intensity!
Causes of mitral regurgitation?
Acute: IE, chordae tendineae rupture
Chronic: MVP, rheumatic heart disease, connective tissue disease, post-MI fibrosis, amyloid, calcification, functional MR (ischaemic / dilated cardiomyopathy)
Investigations for suspected MR?
Bedside: ECG (look for p-mitrale, AF and signs of previous infarction)
Bloods: FBC, inflam markers, blood cultures
Imaging: CXR (cardiomegaly, CCF signs), TTE (to look at severity + cause)
Special: 24h tape
Management of MR?
Medical:
Anticoagulation for AF.
Diuretic, beta-blocker, ACEi’s.
Percutaneous:
Mitra-clip/MTEER for palliation in inoperative cases of MVP.
Surgical:
Valve repair (preferable) with annuloplasty ring or replacement.
Aim to operate when symptomatic, prior to severe LV dysfunction / dilatation.
Differential diagnosis for mitral regurgitation?
Calcified AS produces murmur at apex that mimics MR (Gallavardin phenomenon)
Tricuspid regurgitation
VSD
Symptoms of HOCM?
LVF including breathlessness
Syncope
Chest pain
AF
Sudden death
Signs of HOCM on examination?
Jerky pulse character
May have AF
Large A waves in JVP or normal JVP
May have ICD in situ
On auscultation:
Dynamic ESM radiating to apex (dynamic = severity of murmur changes with posture). Loud/normal S1, S4, signs of LVF.
Sudden cardiac death risk factors in HOCM?
FH of sudden death
PMH of arrhythmic cardiac arrest
Episode of sustained or NSVT
Abnormal BP response to exercise
LVH >30 mm wall thickness
Unexplained syncope
Investigations for suspected HOCM?
ECG: LVH, lateral t-wave inversion, p-mitrale and deep septal q-waves.
Echo: to diagnose hypertrophy and assess severity of LVOTO.
Holter monitor: to monitor for ventricular arrhythmias.
Exercise tolerance test: to assess for BP response to exercise.
Management of HOCM?
Asymptomatic: avoidance of strenuous exercise, dehydration and vasodilators.
Symptomatic:
Beta-blockers, pacemaker, alcohol septal ablation, surgical myomectomy.
Rhythm disturbance / high risk of SCD: ICD.
Refractory despite above: cardiac transplant.
NB importance of genetic counselling of 1st degree relatives - autosomal dominant condition.
Clinical signs of restrictive cardiomyopathy / constrictive pericarditis?
Extracardiac signs which may indicate a secondary restrictive cardiomyopathy.
Raised JVP, pitting oedema, ascites, hepatomegaly.
Usually present with signs and symptoms of HF in the setting of good LV systolic function.
Echo shows atrial enlargement.
May have other signs of right-sided HF: raised JVP, dominant Y-descent, pulsus paradoxus, pericardial knock.
Causes of constrictive pericarditis?
Viral / bacterial pericarditis
Post-surgery (CABG)
Post-TB
Radiation (e.g., for lymphoma)
Causes of restrictive cardiomyopathy?
Endomyocardial fibrosis
Loffler’s syndrome (eosinophilic infiltration of myocardium)
Sarcoidosis
Scleroderma
Haemochromatosis
Amyloidosis
How to differentiate between restrictive cardiomyopathy and constrictive pericarditis on further imaging?
CXR: shows pericardial calcification in the case of constriction.
Echo: may show bright white pericardium in pericardial disease.
Cardiac MRI: to look for restrictive cardiomyopathy.
Cardiac CT: to look for both restrictive / constrictive pathology.
Why do you need to follow up with right or left heart catheterisation if any suspicion of restrictive cardiomyopathy or constrictive pericarditis?
Need to measure invasive haemodynamics.
The presence of ventricular interdependence: a fluctuating LV/RV pressure during respiration is highly diagnostic for constrictive disease.
Implantable cardiac device types?
PPMs (single RA, RV or both RA + RV).
Implantable cardiac defibrillators.
Cardiac resynchronisation therapy devices (biventricular PPMs).
How are the function of pacemakers coded for?
First letter: chamber paced (A = atria, V = ventricle, D = dual)
Second letter: chamber sensed
Third letter: response to sensed event (inhibited / dual)
Fourth letter: rate response (adapts to changes in physical activity)
Complications of implantable cardiac devices?
Pneumothorax related to venous access.
Cardiac perforation.
Pocket haematomas.
Displacement of pacemaker.
Retained stitch.
Infection requiring system explant.
Clinical signs of a VSD?
Thrill at lower left sternal edge.
Systolic murmur localised at the LLSE.
No audible A2.
Loudness does not correlate with size.
If Eisenmenger’s develops, the murmur often disappears as the gradient diminishes.
Clinical signs of a PDA?
Collapsing pulse
Thrill 2nd left interspace
Thrusting apex beat
Continuous machinery murmur below L clavicle in systole
Signs of pulmonary hypertension on examination?
Loud P2
RV heave
Associated heart lesions with a VSD?
Aortic regurgitation
PDA
Tetralogy of Fallot
Coarctation of aorta
Causes of a VSD?
Congenital: Turner’s, Downs’, William’s, Noonan’s syndromes
Acquired: traumatic, post-operative, post-MI
Management of a VSD?
Surgical: pericardial patch
Percutaneous: Amplatzer device
What are the components of Fallot’s tetralogy?
VSD
Overriding aorta
Pulmonary stenosis
RVH
Management of coarctation of the aorta?
Percutaneous: EVAR
Surgical: Dacron patch aortoplasty
Long-term antihypertensives
Long-term follow up with MR aortogram
Causes of an absent radial pulse?
Acute: embolism, aortic dissection, trauma
Chronic: coarctation of aorta, atherosclerosis, Takayasu’s arteritis, the presence of a LVAD
Investigations for a VSD?
ECG: conduction defects (BBB)
CXR: increased pulmonary perfusion (‘pulmonary plethora’)
TTE/TOE: site, size, shunt calculation and associated lesions
Cardiac catheterisation: for consideration of closure
Investigations for palpitations?
Bedside: ECG, obs, history
Bloods: electrolytes, thyroid function, 24h metanephrines (urine)
Imaging: echo - structural heart disease
Special: 24h Holter monitor, EP studies
What would you do in the case of an exercise-induced rhythm disturbance history?
Treadmill test.
If worried about something like Brugada syndrome, would consider a fleicainide challenge test.
Cardiac differential diagnoses for palpitations?
AF / atrial flutter
WPW syndrome
Multifocal atrial tachycardia
Tachy-brady syndrome / sick sinus syndrome
Ventricular tachyarrhythmia
Clinical findings of mixed aortic valve disease?
Slow-rising pulse (AS) and narrow pulse pressure (AS).
Heaving apex beat, non-displaced (AS).
ESM heard loudest in aortic region with radiation to carotids (AS).
Early diastolic murmur heard at aortic region (AR).
What is an Austin-Flint murmur?
Occurs in mixed aortic valve disease or severe AR.
It is a rumbling diastolic murmur heard loudest at LLSE.
It is caused by the regurgitant jet coming through the aortic valve in AR, and hitting the anterior mitral valve leaflet.
What is the predominant lesion in mixed aortic valve disease (usually)?
Usually the predominant lesion in mixed aortic valve disease is STENOSIS with a degree of regurgitation. As the valve stiffens, it does not close properly, and you get a leak.
Treatment of mixed aortic valve disease?
Dependent on the patient’s symptoms, and the predominant valve disease type.
If asymptomatic, treat medically:
Manage co-morbidities such as IHD and HTN.
Beta-blockers to help with symptoms.
ACEi and ARB to those with LV pathology.
Diuretics if signs of overload.
If symptomatic, the valve should be replaced:
Surgical replacement = gold standard.
Balloon valvuloplasty as temporising measure if unwell / cardiogenic shock.
TAVI if not fit for open heart surgery.
Causes of aortic regurgitation?
Aortic regurgitation can be caused by valvular pathology OR pathology of the aortic root.
Rheumatic HD
CTDs: Marfan’s, EDS
Hypertension
SLE
Osteogenesis imperfecta
Myxomatous disease
Signs of aortic regurgitation?
Collapsing pulse (wide pulse pressure)
Eponymous signs attributable to wide pulse pressure:
De Musset’s sign (head bobbing)
Quincke’s sign (capillary nailbed pulsations)
Muller’s sign (uvular pulsation)
Early diastolic murmur / Austin-Flint murmur
Displaced apex beat
Known complications of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome?
Most common are joint issues due to hypermobility, leading to joint deformity.
Cardiovascular: mitral valve prolapse, mitral regurgitation, aortic regurgitation, conduction abnormalities.
Vascular subtype: increased propensity to haemorrhage (ICH or GI).
Glaucoma / retinal issues.
Inheritance and implications of Marfan’s syndrome?
Autosomal dominant condition.
Affects the fibrillin gene and collagen generation.
What condition could be a differential for Marfan’s syndrome?
Homocystinuria, although this is not typically associated with aortic root dilatation.
I would like to assess mental status.
Cardiac features of Marfan’s?
Aortic dissection
Aortic dilatation
Aortic regurgitation
Mitral valve prolapse
Management of Marfan’s syndrome?
MDT approach, usually managed as outpatient unless warning signs of aortic dissection / decompensated valvular heart disease.
Patient education on warning signs, avoid contact sport.
Genetic counselling.
Referral to ophthalmology for screening / annual follow up.
Referral to cardiology: FU of aortic root. Life long beta-blockers to reduce risk of aortic root dilatation, and consider ARB to slow rate.
What are the indications for aortic root replacement in Marfan’s?
Aortic root diameter >50mm.
Aortic root diameter 45-50mm AND family history of aortic dissection / rapid dilatation.
Clinical signs on examination in a patient with Marfan’s?
Increased arm span to height ratio.
Marfanoid facies: retrognathia, down-slanting palebral fissure, endophthalmos, prominent supra-orbital ridges.
Eyes: ectopia lentis, blue sclerae
Mouth: high-arched palate
Chest: pectus excavatum / carinatum
Scars: midline sternotomy, lateral thoracotomy, pacemaker, scar running from anterior to posterior chest (dissection repair)
Spine: kyphoscoliosis
Feet: pes planus
Hands: arachnodactyly, Steinberg sign (distal phalanx of thumb extends beyond ulnar border of hand when folded across palm)
Hypermobile joints
Please list the ideal INR ranges for a metallic valve replacement: aortic, mitral and mitral ball + cage valve.
Aortic: 2 - 3
Mitral: 2.5 - 3.5
Mitral ball + cage: 3 - 4
Signs seen in patients with coarctation of the aorta?
Lower body underdeveloped in comparison to upper body
Signs of previous surgical repair
Stigmata of endocarditis
Radio-radial delay (if coarctation proximal to subclavian)
Radio-femoral delay + volume deficit
Differing BP from UL to LL
Co-existing syndromes, i.e., Turner’s
Auscultation findings in coarctation of aorta?
Normal / loud S1
Systolic murmur loudest over thoracic spine (length of murmur corresponds to severity of coarctation)
Can also get ESM of aortic stenosis (stenosed aortic valve)
Symptoms of coarctation of the aorta?
LVF
Uncontrolled HTN (epistaxis, headaches)
Endarteritis (infection of aorta), often presenting with pyrexia of unknown origin
Non-cardiac associations of coarctation of aorta?
Turner’s syndrome
Berry aneurysm
Neurofibromatosis type 1
Marfan’s syndrome
Management of coarctation of aorta?
Medical: antihypertensives
Surgical: repair is indicated if the peak pressure difference is >30 mmHg or asymptomatic patient with HTN or LVH
Signs on examination for a patient with an atrial septal defect?
Soft ESM loudest at pulmonary area
Fixed splitting of S2
Can get functional TR
Signs of pulmonary HTN (loud P2)
Right heart failure signs
Signs on examination for a patient with VSD?
Pansystolic murmur with ejection character
Loudness of murmur inversely proportional to size of VSD, loud pansystolic murmur of small VSD = ‘maladie de roger’
Signs of right heart failure
Eisenmenger’s syndrome: L to R shunt causes worsening pulmonary HTN and reversal to R to L shunt causing cyanotic heart disease
What are the defects present in Tetralogy of Fallot?
‘PROV’
Pulmonary stenosis
Right ventricular hypertrophy
Overriding aorta
VSD
Late complications of Tetralogy of Fallot?
Pulmonary regurgitation
Residual VSD
Arrhythmias
Aortic regurgitation
Aortic root dilatation
Which factors would necessitate the need for surgery in aortic regurgitation?
Acute severe symptomatic AR requires emergency surgery
Symptomatic patients with severe AR, regardless of LV function
Patients with severe AR undergoing cardiac surgery for another reason
Asymptomatic patients with severe AR
What is an Austin-Flint murmur?
Low-pitched, rumbling mid-diastolic murmur
A sign of severe AR
Occurs due to the fluttering of the mitral valve leaflet caused by the severe regurgitant jet of AR
Clinical findings of aortic regurgitation on examination?
General: dyspnoea
Peripheral: collapsing pulse, wide pulse pressure
Chest: displaced and hyperdynamic apex beaet, high-pitched early diastolic murmur (heard best in fixed expiration at LLSE)
Eponymous signs:
- Corrigan’s sign: ‘dancing carotid’
- DeMusset’s sign: head nodding
- Quincke’s sign: pulsation at nail bed
- Traube’s sign: pistol-shot femorals
Austin-Flint murmur
What signs can be found in severe aortic regurgitation?
Widened pulse pressure
Soft S2
Short end-diastolic murmur
S3 sound
Evidence of LV failure
Causes of aortic regurgitation?
Acute: IE, aortic dissection
Chronic: bicuspid valve (congenital), aortic root dilatation, prior IE, rheumatic fever, iatrogenic (following TAVI / balloon dilation)
CTD: RA, ank spondylitis, SLE, Ehlers-Danlos, osteogenesis imperfecta, Marfan’s syndrome
Syphilitic aortitis (rare)
Management of aortic regurgitation?
Medical:
- regular follow up and echo
- diuretics for HF
- ACEi / ARB / CCBs (vasodilators)
- Marfan’s - beta-blockers slow aortic root dilatation and reduce risk of complications
Surgical:
- AV replacement +/- CABG
- TAVI if AVR is too high risk
How often should patients with Marfan’s syndrome have aortic screening?
Yearly with an echo to monitor the proximal aorta / aortic root.
List some manifestations of Marfan’s syndrome.
High-arched palate
Tall
Arachnodactyly
Ectopia lentis (upward lens dislocation)
Arm span > height
Dural ectasia
Pectus excavatum
Joint laxity
Scoliosis
Pes planus
(Ghent criteria)
Examination features in a patient with an LVAD?
Patient does not have a pulse or recordable BP
HeartMate machine at the bedside
Battery pack with backup pack worn
Percutaneous lead exit site (RIF)
‘Polyphonic’ heart sounds to auscultation
Complications of LVADs?
Bleeding events
Thrombosis (ischaemic stroke + pump thrombosis)
Infections