Cardiology Flashcards
Which valve prosthesis are in time with the carotid pulse
Mitral valve prostheses
Which valve prosthesis are not in time with the carotid pulse
Aortic valve prostheses
What can cause a collapsing pulse
- Aortic regurgitation
- PDA
- hyperdynamic circulation (pregnancy, anaemia, thyrotoxicosis)
What causes CV waves on JVP
Severe TR
What are the indications for aortic valve replacement
- severe symptomatic AS or AR
- moderate/severe AS undergoing other cardiac surgery
- bacterial encodarditis
- severe AS with valve area <0.6cm^2
What clinical signs suggest severe AS
- quiet S2 sound
- long murmur
- low volume pulse
- evidence of heart failure
- narrow pulse pressure
- LV heave/displaced LV apex
What are the differentials of an ESM
- AS (can be heard throughout precordium)
- Aortic sclerosis
- HOCM (LVOTO)
- MR (pansystolic)
- ASD (pulmonary)
- VSD
How can you differentiate AS and PS
- different valve areas
- RV heave in PS
- PS louder on inspiration
- younger patients with PS, elderly patient with AS
What is the medical management of AS
None - but beta blockers can help improve cardiac output
Which drugs must be avoided in AS
Anything that causes peripheral vasodilation and increases pressure gradient:
- ACEi
- nitrates
- sildenafil
What is Heyde’s syndrome
AS, angiodysplasia and acquired von Willebrand disorder
What are the causes of AS
- common: degeneration, bicuspid
- uncommon: rheumatic, congenital
- rare: IE
What indicates severe AS on echo
- aortic valve area <1cm^2
- mean gradient >40mmHg
- peak velocity >4m/s
What are the indications for mitral valve replacement
- mitral regurgitation
- mitral stenosis
- IE
What is the significance of AF in aetiology of metallic MV replacement
More likely to be MS instead of MR
When would mitral valve repair be more appropriate than replacement
Young person with MV prolapse
What are the types of ASD
- primum (associated with AVSD)
- secundum (commonest)
What are the complications of ASD
- paradoxical embolus
- atrial arrhythmias
- RV dilation
- pulmonary hypertension
- Eisenmenger’s syndrome
Which type of ASD is most commonly seen in Down’s syndrome
Ostium primum (septum primum does not fuse with endocardial cushions)
What are the indications for closure of ASD
- paradoxical embolus
- breathlessness
- RV dilation
What are the contraindications for closure of ASD
Severe pulmonary HTN, Eisenmenger’s syndrome
What are the indications for closure of VSD
- recurrent infective endocarditis
- development of aortic regurgitation
- LV dysfunction
- reversible pulmonary hypertension
- acute VSD after MI
What are the contraindications to closure of VSD
Irreversible pulmonary HTN, Eisenmenger’s syndrome
What are the causes of VSD
- congenital inc downs, TOF
- acquired (MI)
What are the causes of an absent radial pulse
- Acute: embolism, aortic dissection, trauma
- chronic: BT shunt, atherosclerosis, coarctation, Takayasu’s arteritis
What conditions are associated with coarctation of the aorta
- Cardiac: VSD, bicuspid AV, PDA
- Non-cardiac: Turner’s, berry aneurysm
What can be seen on CXR in aortic coarctation
Rib notching, double aortic knuckle (post-stenotic dilatation)
What clinical signs are associated with patent ductus arteriosus
- Collapsing pulse
- Loud continuous machinery murmur loudest below left clavicle in systole
What findings on examination would suggest severe MR
- evidence of pulmonary hypertension (raised JVP, loud P2, RV heave, pedal oedema)
- thrusting, displaced apex
What are the indications for mitral valve replacement
- symptomatic MR (eg SOB)
- asymptomatic but declining LVEF or LV dilatation on echo
- acute MR after myocardial infarction eg papillary wall rupture
What are the cardiac complications of Marfan’s syndrome
- aortic root dilation
- aortic dilation at any point along its length (and aortic dissection)
- aortic regurgitation
- mitral valve prolapse
What are the indications of aortic root replacement in Marfan’s
- dilation >50mm at aortic root
- dilation >45mm if FHx of aortic dissection
- aortic root expanding at rate >3mm per year
What are the main symptoms of pulmonary stenosis
- Effort exertion
- Breathlessness on exertion
- Signs of R heart failure
- Pre-syncope, syncope
What clinical signs would you expect to see in pulmonary stenosis
- raised JVP
- RV heave
- ESM murmur in pulmonary area
- PSM in tricuspid area (functional TR)
- Peripheral oedema
- Widely split S2
What are the most common cardiac complications of Noonan’s syndrome
- Pulmonary stenosis
- HOCM
- Septal defects
What are the differential diagnoses of pulmonary stenosis
- Aortic stenosis
- VSD
- ASD
What classifies severe pulmonary stenosis on echo
- valve area <1cm^2
- gradient >64mmHg
- velocity >4m^2 across valve
Which cardiac abnormality is seen in William’s syndrome
Pulmonary stenosis
What are the causes of pulmonary stenosis
- Isolated congenital
- Associated syndromes (TOF, noonan’s, Williams, Alagille)
- Infective (IE, Rheumatic)
- Carcinoid
What is the management of mild asymptomatic pulmonary stenosis in adults
Valve surveillance with 5-yearly echos