Cardiology Flashcards
Define Acute coronary syndrome
A set of symptoms and signs that occur due to decreased blood flow to the heart at rest, this happens when there is sudden plaque rupture and clot formation w/in diseased coronary arteries leading to either partial occlusion and ischaemia (unstable angina) or complete occlusion, hypoperfusion and infarction (NSTEMI and STEMI)
Define Unstable angina
Partial occlusion of the coronary artery leading to troponin -ve chest pain (myocardial ischaemia) at rest w/ normal/abnormal ECG signs (ST depression and T wave inversion)
Define Non-ST elevating myocardial infarction
Severe but incomplete occlusion of a coronary artery leading to troponin +ve chest pain (myocardial death) w/out ST elevation (but w/ ST depression and T wave inversion)
Define ST elevating myocardial infarction
Complete occlusion of a coronary artery leading to troponin +ve chest pain (myocardial death) and ST elevation on ECG
Define Type 2 myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction due to cardiac hypoperfusion for reasons other than ACS - e.g. severe sepsis, hypotension, hypovolaemia or coronary artery spasm
Don’t require the usual treatment for MI’s
Acute coronary syndrome features
- Central/left sided, sudden onset, crushing chest pain which may radiate to the left arm and jaw
- Associated nausea, sweating, clamminess, SOB, syncope
- Occurs are rest but is worsened by exercise/exertion and may be improved by GTN
- Inferior infarcts can present atypically w/ epigastric pain
Diabetic pts may have silent MI’s:
- NO pain
- Acute SOB
- Palpitations
- Acute confusion
- Hyperglycaemic crisis
- Syncope
Acute coronary syndrome investigations
- Troponin at least 3 hours after onset of pain and then 6 hours later
- ECG - STEMI = ST elevation >2cm in adjacent chest leads, ST elevation >1cm in adjacent limp leads, new LBBB
- CXR to rule out other causes/complications
Changes in which ECG leads demonstrate an inferior MI, and what coronary artery is affected?
Leads II, III and aVF
RCA affected
Changes in which ECG leads demonstrate a septal MI, and what coronary artery is affected?
Leads V1 and V2
Proximal LAD affected
Changes in which ECG leads demonstrate an anterior MI, and what coronary artery is affected?
Leads V3 and V4
LAD affected
Changes in which ECG leads demonstrate an apical MI, and what coronary artery is affected?
Leads V5 and V6
Distal LAD, LCx and RCA affected
Changes in which ECG leads demonstrate a lateral MI, and what coronary artery is affected?
Leads I and aVL
LCs affected
Changes in which ECG leads demonstrate a posterolateral MI, and what coronary artery is affected?
Leads V7-V9 show ST elevation, V1-V3 show ST depression
RCA/LCx affected
Causes of a raised troponin
- MI
- Pericarditis
- Myocarditis
- Arrhythmias
- Defibrillation
- Acute HF
- PE
- Type A aortic dissection
- CKD
- Prolonged strenuous exercise
- Sepsis
STEMI management
Offer 300mg loading dose of aspirin ASAP, sublingual GTN and IV morphine/diamorphine and continue aspirin indefinitely unless contraindicated, then offer reperfusion therapy (PCI or fibrinolysis) if possible, or medical management if not:
Percutaneous coronary intervention:
- Offer if presenting w/in 12 hrs of symptoms and PCI can be done w/in 2 hrs
- Give prasugrel w/ the aspirin if not already taking oral anticoagulants, and less than 75
- Give Clopidogrel/ticagrelor w/ the aspirin if taking an oral anticoagulant
- PCI involves endovascular stenting or complete revascularisation
Fibrinolysis:
- Offer if presenting w/in 12 hrs of symptoms and PCI cannot be giving w/in 2 hours
- Give ticagrelor w/ the aspirin
- Give an antithrombin
- Do not repeat, offer a PCI if still not resolving
Medical:
- Give ticagrelor w/ aspirin
- Asses LV function
NSTEMI/unstable angina management
- Loading dose of 300mg aspirin and fondaparinux
- Calculate GRACE score (6 mon mortality risk) and all pts who aren’t low risk should be given prasugrel or ticagrelor
- Sublingual GTN
- IV morphine/diamorphine
- Antithrombin e.g. Enoxaparin or fondaparinux
Post-MI secondary management
ALL pts post-MI should be started on the following 5 drugs:
1) Aspirin 75mg OD + a second anti platelet (Clopidogrel 75mg or ticagrelor 90mg OD)
- Beta blocker (normally bisoprolol)
- ACEi (normally Ramipril)
- High dose statin (normally atorvastatin 80mg ON)
All pts should have an echo to assess systolic function, as well as being referred for cardiac rehabilitation
MI complications
DARTHVARDER:
Death
Arrhythmia
Rupture
Tamponade
HF
Valve disease
Aneurysm
Dressler’s syndrome = post-infarction pericarditis 2-3 wks later
Embolism
Recurrence
Define Pericarditis
Inflammation of the pericardium (the fibroelastic sac surrounding the heard)
Causes of Pericarditis
- Idiopathic
- Infective = coxsackie B viruses (echovirus, CMV, HSV, HIV), bacteria (staphs, streps, pneumococcus, haemophilus, TB), rarely fungi and parasites
- Malignancies = lung, breast and Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Cardiac = HF, Dressler’s syndrome
- Radiation
- Drugs = doxorubicin chemo, hydralazine, isoniazid, methyldopa, phenytoin, penicillin allergy
- Rheumatological = SLE, RA, Sarcoidosis, Takayasu’s, Behcet’s
- Uraemic renal failure
- Hypothyroidism
- IBD
- Ovarian hyperstimulation
Pericarditis features
- Pleuritic chest pain worse on inspiration
- Worse lying flat and relieved by sitting forwards
- Fever
- Pericardial friction rub = high-pitched scratching noise, best heard over the left sternal border during inspiration
Pericarditis investigations
- Serial troponins
- ECG - Widespread saddle ST elevation (not following vascular territories) and PR depression
- Echo
Pericarditis management
Idiopathic or viral:
- 1st line = exercise restriction and NSAIDs + PPI for 1-2 wks
- 2nd line = colchicine
- 3rd line = corticosteroids
Bacterial:
- IV abx +/- pericardiocentesis if purulent exudative present
Non-infective causes
- Corticosteroids
Pericarditis complications
- Pericardial effusions
- Cardiac tamponade
Define Acute pulmonary oedema
The sudden accumulation of fluid in the lungs, specifically the alveoli and interstitial spaces, leading to severe dyspnoea and hypoxia - caused by increased left heart pressure which in turn leads to a backlog of pressure into the lungs via in the pulmonary veins. This increases the hydrostatic pressure in the lungs forcing fluid out of the pulmonary capillaries
Causes of Acute pulmonary oedema
- Left ventricular HF (most common)
- Posterior-inferior MI leading to mitral regurgitation
- HTN crisis
- Iatrogenic fluid overload
Acute pulmonary oedema features
- Severe dyspnoea
- Orthopnoea and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea
- Sitting upright, leaning forwards and tripoding
- Pink frothy sputum
- Widespread crackles and wheeze
- Raised JVP
- Tachycradia
- Pulsus alternans and S3 gallop
Define Pulsus alternans
An arterial pulse w/ alternating strong and weak beats - indicates severe LV dysfunction
Acute pulmonary oedema management
- A-E
- O2 therapy
- Loop diuretic = IV furosemide 400mg STAT+ close fluid balance
- CPAP (reduced hypoxia and recruits more alveoli, thus improving V/Q mismatch)
- Furosemide infusion over 24 hrs
- IV dopamine for vasopression
- Intra-aortic balloon pump if pt in cardiogenic shock
- Intubation and ventilation
Define Acute bradycardia
HR <60bpm + adverse features (shock, syncope, HF or evidence of myocardial ischaemia) - usually caused by sick sinus syndrome
Causes of bradycardia
- Physiological
- Sick sinus syndrome
- Heart block
- Post-MI
- Aortic valve disease
- Vasovagal
- Hypothyroidism
- Hypothermia
- Electrolyte abnormalities
- Raised ICP
- Medication = beta blockers, CCBs, digoxin
Acute bradycardia management
- A-E
- 1st line = 500 micrograms atropine IV (atropine blocks the vagus nerve which increases firing rate of the SAN) - can give repeat doses up to a total of 3mg
- 2nd line = Transcutaneous pacing, isoprenaline, adrenaline
Causes of Myocarditis
Viral:
- Cocksackie B viruses (echovirus, CMV, HSV, HIV)
- COVID-19
- Adenovirus
- EBV
Bacterial:
- Diphtheria
- Clostridia
- N. Gonorrhoea
Protozoa = Trypanosoma cruzi
AI:
- Kawasaki disease
- Scleroderma
- SLE
- Sarcoid
- Systemic vasculitides
Drug reactions:
- Antipsychotics e.g. clozapine
- Immune-checkpoint inhibitors
- Mesalazine
Myocarditis features
- Chest pain = sharp, stabbing
- SOB
- Palpitations
- Light-headedness
- Syncope
- Fever and viral prodrome
- Severe cases can cause unexplained cardiac death
- Dull heart sounds
Myocarditis investigations
- ECG = non-specific changes, arrhythmias, tachycardia, ectopic beats
- Bloods = raised troponin and CK-MB
- Echo
- Cardiac biopsy = gold standard (shows inflammatory infiltrates and myocardial necrosis)
Myocarditis management
- Treat underlying cause
- ITU support
- Corticosteroids if viral
- Limit activity for a few months post-recovery
Myocarditis complications
- HF
- Arrhythmias
- Dilated cardiomyopathy
Define Aortic dissection
When a tear in the tunica intima of the aorta creates a false lumen where blood can flow between the inner and outer layers of the walls of the aorta
Aortic dissection risk factors
- HTN
- Marfan’s
- Valvular heart disease
- Cocaine/amphetamine use
Aortic dissection Stanford classifications
- Type A = involves the ascending aorta and/or arch of the aorta
- Type B = involves the descending aorta
Aortic dissection features
Symptoms:
- Sudden onset tearing chest pain or interscapular pain which radiates to the back
- Bowel/limp ischaemia
- Renal failure
- Syncope
Signs:
- Radio-radial delay
- Radio-femoral delay
- BP difference between arms
Aortic dissection investigations
CT angiogram to diagnose
Aortic dissection management
Initial:
- Resuscitation if necessary
- Cardiac monitoring
- Strict BP control e.g. IV metoprolol infusion
Definitive:
- Type A = Surgical management e.g. aortic graft
- Type B = conservatively w/ BP control - endovascular/open repair if signs of end organ damage
Causes of aortic regurgitation
Acute:
- Infective endocarditis
- Aortic dissection (due to dilation of the aortic root)
- Blunt/penetrating trauma to the valve leaflets
- Iatrogenic (balloon valvotomy)
- Non-native aortic valve regurgitation
Chronic:
- Rheumatic heart disease
- Age-related calcification
- Congenital bicuspid aortic valve
- CTD e.g Marfan’s, Ehler’s Danlos
- Infective endocarditis
- Rheumatological = RA, ankylosing spondylitis, APLS, GCA
Aortic regurgitation features
Symptoms:
- Exertional dyspnoea
- Orthopnoea
- Stable angina in the absence of coronary artery disease (due to reduction in diastolic coronary perfusion)
Signs:
- Early diastolic murmur heard best at the aortic region, leaning forwards and on expiration
- De Quicke’s sign = nail bed pulsations
- Waterhammer pulse
- De Musset’s sign = head bobbing in time to heart beat
- Corrigan’s sign = dancing carotids
- Muller’s sign = pulsation of the uvula
- Traube’s sign = femoral bruit
- Widened pulse pressure
Aortic regurgitation investigations
Transthoracic echo + investigate for infective endocarditis and Group A strep
Aortic regurgitation management
- Conservative = no treatment for mild-moderate AR
- Medical = Beta blockers +/- losartan to lower BP in higher risk pts (e.g Marfan’s or bicuspid valves)
- Surgical = for pts with symptomatic AR, asymptomatic w/ LVEF <=50%, refractory IE, significant enlargement of ascending aorta
Aortic stenosis causes
- Age-related calcification
- Congenital bicuspid valve
- Rheumatic heart disease
- William’s syndrome (supravalvular stenosis)
Aortic stenosis features
Symptoms:
- Severe = syncope, angina, dyspnoea
- Palpitations
- Signs of left ventricular failure
- Sudden cardiac death
Signs:
- Ejection systolic murmur heard best at the second intercostal space in the mid clavicular line, which radiates to the carotids
- Slow-rising carotid pulse
- Narrow pulse pressure
- Heaving, non-displaced apex beat
- Soft S2
Aortic stenosis investigations
Echo is definitive - CXR may show cardiomegaly in severe cases
Aortic stenosis management
- Conservative = for asymptomatic and stable cases - echo monitoring every 6 months for severe cases, and yearly for mild-moderate cases
- Medical = symptom management of LV failure = diuretics, beta blockers, ACEi
- Surgical = Transcatheter/surgical aortic valve replacement - for all symptomatic pts, or asymptomatic pts with LVEF <=50%
Define Aortic sclerosis
Thickening and calcification of the aortic valve, but without obstruction of ventricular outflow - causes an ejection systolic murmur that DOESN’T radiate to the carotids
Define Atrial flutter
A common supraventricular tachycardia characterised by an abnormal cardiac rhythm w/ an atrial rate of 300 bpm and a ventricular rate that can be fixed or variable - caused by an aberrant re-entrant circuit w/in the right atrium which cycles at 300 bpm - produces a classical saw-tooth appearance of ECG
Causes of Atrial flutter
- Pulmonary diseases = COPD, OSA, PE, pulmonary HTN
- Ischaemic heart disease
- Sepsis
- Alcohol
- Cardiomyopathy
- Thyrotoxicosis
Atrial flutter management
In haemodynamically unstable pts:
- Synchronised DC cardioversion +/- amiodarone
In haemodynamically stable pts:
- 1st line = bisoprolol or CCB (dilitiazem, verapamil)
- 2nd line = cardioversion
- 3rd line = ablation of the aberrant circuit
Use CHADVASC to decide on giving anticoagulation
Define Atrial fibrillation
Irregular, uncoordinated contractions at a rate of 300-600 bpm - delays at the AVN means that only some of the irregular impulses are conducted resulting in an irregularly irregular ventricular response
Atrial fibrillation classifications
- Acute = lasts <48 hrs
- Paroxysmal = lasts <7 days and is intermittent
- Persistent = lasts >7 days but is amendable to cardioversion
- Permanent = lasts >7 days and is not amendable to cardioversion
Also can be fast (>=100bpm) or slow (<=60bpm)
Causes of Atrial fibrillation
Cardiac:
- IHD
- HTN
- Rheumatic heart disease
- Peri/myocarditis
Non-cardiac:
- Dehydration
- Endocrine causes e.g. hyperthyroidism
- Sepsis and other infections
- Pulmonary causes = PE, pneumonia
- Alcohol abuse
- Electrolyte disturbances e.g. hypokalaemia, hypomagnesaemia
Atrial fibrillation features
Symptoms:
- Palpitations
- Chest pain
- SOB
- Syncope
- Light-headedness
Signs:
- Irregularly irregular pulse
- A single waveform on JVP (due to loss of a-wave which signifies atrial contraction)
- ECG changes = absent P waves, irregularly irregular rhythm
Atrial fibrillation acute management
Acute unstable pt:
- Synchronised DC cardioversion +/- amiodarone
Stable pt w/ onset <48 hrs:
- Rhythm control w/ DC cardioversion or anti-arrhythmics (flecainide if no heart disease, amiodarone otherwise)
- Heparin if DC cardioversion is delayed
- Alternatively can use rate control (below)
Stable pt w/ onset >48hrs:
- Rate control only w/ bisoprolol, diltiazem or digoxin
- Can try cardioversion later if its persisting, but need to anticoagulated for 3 wks prior to this due to the risk of throwing off a clot
Atrial fibrillation chronic management
Rate control:
- 1st line = bisoprolol or rate limitng CCB (diltiazem or verapamil)
- 2nd line = dual therapy
- Digoxin monotherapy in sedentary pts w/ non-paroxysmal AF, who are hypotensive or who have HF
Rhythm control:
- Either DC cardioversion or medical w/ flecainide, amiodarone or sotalol
- For pts who have AF secondary to a reversible cause, HF associated w/ AF, new-onset AF
Catheter ablations
CHADVASC to calculate the need for anticoagulation (DOAC 1st line)
Define Broad complex tachycardias
Dysrhythmias that have a heart rate greater than 100bpm and a QRS complex that is greater than 120ms
Examples:
- VT
- VF
- Torsade’s de pointes
- SVT w/ aberrancy
Ventricular Tachycardia features
A regular broad complex tachycardia that occur w/ or w/out a pulse
ECG features:
- Tachycardia >100bpm
- Absent P waves
- Monomorphic regular QRS complexes >120ms
Pulseless Ventricular Tachycardia management
- This is a shockable rhythm = 200J bi-phasic unsynchronised shock should be administrated
- IV adrenaline (1mg in 10ml of 1:10,000 solution) and IV amiodarone (300mg) should be administered after delivery of the 3rd shock
- Adrenaline should be administered every 3-5 min thereafter
Pulsed Ventricular Tachycardia management
With adverse features:
- Synchronised DC shocks (up to 3) - need to sedate the pt if their awake
- 300mg IV amiodarone over 10-20 min, followed by 900mg infusion over 24 hrs
With no adverse features:
- 300mg IV amiodarone over 10-60 min
- If that doesn’t work, the synchronised DC shocks (up to 3)
Ventricular fibrillation features
An irregular broad complex tachycardia - this is always pulseless
ECG features:
- Tachycardia >100bpm
- QRS complexes are polymorphic and irregular (>120ms)
Ventricular fibrillation management
- This is a shockable rhythm = 200J bi-phasic unsynchronised shock should be administrated
- IV adrenaline (1mg in 10ml of 1:10,000 solution) and IV amiodarone (300mg) should be administered after delivery of the 3rd shock
- Adrenaline should be administered every 3-5 min thereafter
Define Brugada syndrome
A genetic condition caused by a sodium channelopathy that predisposes pts to ventricular fibrillation/tachycardia - most common in SEA males
Brugada syndrome triggers
- Sleep
- Eating heavy meals
- Dehydration
- Excess alcohol
- Drugs = flecainide, verapamil, TCAs
- Electrolyte abnormalities
- Fevers
Brugada syndrome investigations
Characteristic ECG changes + at least 1 clinical criterion
ECG changes = RBBB and ST elevation in V1-V3
Criteria:
- VF or polymorphic VT
- FHx of sudden cardiac death under 45 yrs
- Syncope or ECG signs in family
- Inducible VT
- Nocturnal agonal breathing (gasping or grunting in sleep)
Brugada syndrome management
Conservative = lifestyle measures and avoiding triggers
Definitive = insertion of an ICD to reduce risk of sudden cardiac death from VT/VF - can add quinidine (anti-arrhythmic) in pts who still have arrhythmias
Define Bundle branch block
When the electrical impulses to the ventricles are slower than normal, leading to a widened QRS complex >120ms
Can be left or right BBB
Incomplete BBB is when there is a partial delay and the QRS complex is between 110-120ms
How do you identify right vs left BBB?
In both, the QRS complex will b > 120ms
Look at V1 and V6 - then use WiLLiaM and MaRRoW:
- In LBBB, V1 QRS complexes will look like W, and V6 will look like an M
- In RBBB, V1 complexes will look like an M and V6 will look like a W
Causes of LBBB
- Aortic stenosis
- IHD
- Hyperkalaemia
- Digoxin toxicity
- MI - new LBBB can indicate STEMI
Causes of RBBB
- RB hypertrophy
- PE
- IHD
- Atrial septal defect
- Normal variant
Define Cardiac tamponade
When pericardial fluid accumulates and intrapericardial pressure rises compressing the IVC and heart chambers - this compromises ventricular filling and leads to reduced cardiac output
Caused by the accumulation of:
- Blood
- Fluid
- Purulent exudate
- Air
Cardiac tamponade features
Symptoms:
- SOB
- Tachycardia
- Confusion
- Chest pain
- Abdo pain
Signs:
- Beck’s triad = hypotension, quiet heart sounds, raised JVP
- Pulsus paradoxus (pulse fades on inspiration)
Cardiac tamponade investigations
- ECG = low voltage QRS
- CXR = may show large globular heart
- Echo = will demonstrate the amount of fluid and quantify the level of ventricular compromise
- Pericardiocentesis = will allow for sampling of the fluid to find the underlying cause and treat the immediate problem
Cardiac tamponade management
If haemodynamically unstable = pericardiocentesis
If stable = careful observation w/ repeat echo’s and IV fluid treatment to maintain ventricular filling
Most common reversible causes of cardiac arrest
4 H’s:
1) Hypoxia
2) Hypovolaemia
3) Hypo/hyperkalaemia
4) Hypo/hyperthermia
4T’s:
1) Tamponade
2) Toxins
3) Tension pneumothorax
4) Thrombosis
Indications for cardiac catheterisation
- Imaging = inject contrast dye into the coronary vessels to image anatomy and blood supply
- Angioplasty = balloon dilatation and stenting (PCI)
- Valvuloplasty = transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI)
- Repair = transcatheter repair of septal defects
- Electrophysiology = studies and catheter ablations
- Measurements = accurate measures of pressures w/in heat and great vessels
- Biopsy
Define Cardiac myxoma
Benign tumours of the cardiac cells composed of unspecialised mesenchymal cells w/in a mucopolysaccharide stroma - this causes it to look smooth and gelatinous
Cardiac myxoma features
Symptoms:
- Fever
- WL
- Dyspnoea
- Orthopnoea
- Cough
- A. fib
- Can rarely embolize and cause ACS
Signs:
- Tumour plop on auscultation
Cardiac myxoma investigations
- Raised inflammatory markers
- Echo = mobile mass
- Cardiac MRI
Cardiac myxoma management
Surgical resection
Define Carney complex
A genetic condition of benign connective tissue tumours - characterised by cardiac/cutaneous myxomas, schwannomas, endocrine tumours and abnormal skin pigmentation
What is the purpose of temporary cardiac pacing?
To restore haemodynamic stability to a pt
How is temporary pacing done?
Transcutaneous = using electrode pads on the skin - used as a bridge to transvenous pacing
Transvenous pacing = inserting a pacemaker wire into a vein and then passing it to the right atrium or ventricle - wire is then connected to an external pacemaker box and may be kept in place until a permanent pacemaker is inserted, or its no longer required
Indications for permanent pacemaker insertion
- Complete heart block
- Mobitz type 2 heart block
- Symptomatic Mobitz type 1 heart block
- Symptomatic sick sinus syndrome
- Permanent bradyarrhythmias due to MI
- Tachyarrhythmias resistant to therapy
Define Constrictive pericarditis
The loss of elasticity in the pericardial sac due to scarring - this prevents normal cardiac filling and leads to restriction of ventricular volume, stroke volume and cardiac output
Constrictive pericarditis features
Symptoms = symptoms of HF:
- Fatigue
- Reduced exercise tolerance
- Exertional dyspnoea
- Peripheral oedema
Signs:
- Raised JVP
- Kussmaul’s sign = paradoxical rise in JVP w/ inspiration
- Pulsus paradoxus
- Quiet heart sounds (if pericardial effusion present)
- Pericardial knock = high pitched, early diastolic sound that occurs when stiff pericardium results in sudden arrest of ventricular filling
Constrictive pericarditis investigations
- CXR = small heart +/- pericardial calcifications
- Echo = ventricular filling defect and heart failure w/ preserved ejection fraction
- Cardiac MRI = helps differentiate from restrictive cardiomyopathy
Constrictive pericarditis management
Surgical excision of the fibrosed pericardium (pericardiectomy)
Define Cor pulmonale
Right ventricular failure as a result of long standing lung disease
Chronic arterial vasoconstriction occurs due to hypoxia, in order to overcome this increased pressure in the pulmonary circulation, the right side of the heart has to work harder - when it can no longer compensate this leads to right HF
Cor pulmonale features
Symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Peripheral oedema
- Ascites
- Symptoms of chronic lung condition
Signs:
- Cyanosis
- Raised JVP w/ prominent a and v waves
- RV heave
- Loud P2
- Pansystolic murmur w/ tricuspid regurgitation
- Pulsatile hepatomegaly
- Graham-Steel murmur = functional pulmonary regurgitation as the chronic HTN stretches the valvular attachments, whilst the valve itself is healthy
Cor pulmonale investigations
- ECG = Right axis deviation
- CXR = enlarged right atrium and ventricle w/ prominent pulmonary arteries
- Echo = diagnostic - look to see right ventricular function
Cor pulmonale managemet
No specific treatments other than optimise management of respiratory condition w/ O2 therapy to reduce pulmonary HTN- can give diuretics for symptomatic relief
Define Coronary artery bypass graft
A revascularisation technique used to treat coronary artery disease - a healthy vein (usually harvested from the leg or chest) is attached to the heart so blood can get around the narrowed coronary artery
Coronary artery bypass graft indications
In pts with:
- Symptoms of CAD that are not controlled by optimal medical management
- Complex 3 vessel disease and/or significant left main stem on CTCA
PCI is more cost effective than CABG, but CABG confers a mortality benefit in pts >65, with DM or complex 3 vessel disease
Define Pansystolic murmur
A systolic murmur that is of uniform intensity, as opposed to the crescendo-decrescendo ejection systolic murmurs - they start at S1 and extend up to, and may merge with, S2
Causes of pansystolic murmurs
- Mitral regurgitation (most common) = loudest at the axilla and on expirations, radiates to the axilla
- Tricuspid regurgitation = loudest at the left lower sternal edge and on inspiration
- Ventricular septal defect = loudest at the lower sternal edge
Define Ejection systolic murmurs
A systolic murmur that is described as a high-pitched, crescendo=decrescendo mid-systolic murmur