Cardiology Flashcards
Dysphagia. 3 add’l alarm Sx that indicate endoscopy to exclude cancer?
Weight loss — blood in stool — anemia
Dx? Young patient w/ progressive dysphagia to both solids & liquids @ same time
Achalasia
Dx? Older patient w/ dysphagia first to solids then to both solids & liquids
Esophageal cancer
What is “Dyspepsia”?
Any 1 of following 3 Sx - Postprandial fullness — Early satiation — Epigastric pain or burning
Most common cause of epigastric pain?
Non-ulcer dyspepsia (not a reason to admit to hospital)
Dx? Epigastric pain worse w/ food
Gastric ulcer
Dx? Epigastric pain better w/ food
Duodenal ulcer
Dx? Epigastric pain w/ weight loss
Cancer &/or gastric ulcer
Dx? Epigastric pain w/ tenderness
Pancreatitis
Dx? Epigastric pain w/ bad taste – cough – hoarse
Gastroesophageal reflux
Dx? Epigastric pain w/ Diabetes & bloating
Gastroparesis
What is an “Upper GI Series”?
Barium swallow w/ x-ray images of esophagus stomach & duodenum. Can detect ulcers, but CANNOT detect presence of cancers or H. pylori.
Most accurate test for PUD?
Upper endoscopy
H. pylori most accurate test? Test to confirm cure following antibiotic Tx?
Most accurate test = Endoscopy — Confirm cure = Stool Antigen or Breath Test
Best initial therapy for H. pylori?
PPI & Clarithromycin & Amoxicillin (2nd, try Metronidazole & Tetracycline as alternatives & bismuth to aid in resolution of Tx-resistant ulcers)
How is management different for Tx-resistant GU vs. DU?
Tx-resistant GU requires repeat endoscopy w/ biopsy to rule out cancer. Tx-resistant DU calls for urea breath test, stool antigen test, or repeat endoscopy to detect H. pylori in which case different antibiotics would be given.
How to treat RV infarction?
High volume fluid replacement. Avoid nitroglycerin as they markedly worsen cardiac filling
In what cardiac conditions are Thrombolytics useful?
ST elevation MI
In what cardiac conditions is Heparin useful?
non-ST elevation MI
70-yr old w/ crushing substernal chest pain – 1st step?
EKG
What is “acute coronary syndrome”?
Acute blockage of one or more coronary arteries. Typically causes crushing substernal CP that may radiate to jaw or arm, Nause, & Sweating
Acute Coronary Syndrome – ass’d w/ what type of murmur?
S4 gallop
What is Kussmaul sign ass’d with?
Constrictive Pericarditis or Restrictive Cardiomyopathy (Kussmaul sign = increase in jugulovenous pressure on inhalation)
Constrictive pericarditis – murmur heard?
Friction rub – triphasic “scratchy” sound
Pulsus Paradoxus is ass’d w/ what?
Cardiac Tamponade (PP = decrease of BP greater than 10 mmHg on inspiration)
– Also COPD & Asthma
Statins - AEs?
Elevation of transaminases (LFTs) — Myositis
Niacin - AEs?
Elevation in glucose & uric acid level — Pruritis
Fibrates - AEs?
Myositis when combined w/ statins
Cholestyramine - AEs?
Flatus & Abdominal cramping
Ezetimibe - AEs?
Well tolerated but nearly useless
When are Verapamil & Diltiazem used in CAD?
In place of beta-blockers in patients w/ severe asthma — Prinzmetal angina — Cocaine-induced CP — Inability to control pain w/ maximal therapy
CCBs - AEs?
Edema — Constipation — Heart block (rare)
What does “revascularization” refer to?
Coronary bypass surgery or Angioplasty (angiography is indispensible in evaluating patients for this)
Best therapy in acute coronary syndromes, particularly those w/ ST elevation?
Angioplasty (also called PCI — percutaneous coronary intervention)
What does a PR interval greater that 200 milliseconds signify?
First degree AV block, which has little pathologic potential & requires no intervention
What does ST depression in leads V1 & V2 signify?
Posterior wall myocardial infarction (these leads are read in opposite direction as the rest of the leads, so depression here is comparable to elevation in the other leads)
What is first step in patient w/ acute coronary syndrome & ST elevation?
Aspirin
When do you substitute Clopidogrel for Aspirin in Tx of CP + ST elevation?
When patient is intolerant of Aspirin or has undergone angioplasty w/ stenting
What do you give to a patient w/ CP & ST elevation that is intolerant of Aspirin?
Clopidogrel