Cardiology Flashcards
Pericarditis
S+S
- Sudden sharp/ stabbing substernal chest pain
- Sob + tachycardia
- Radiates along trapezius ridge, pericardial rub.
- Pain worse with inspiration or laying flat.
- May have recent hx of fever + URTI sx, or occur within 1-2 days of an MI
Investigations
- ECG: ST elevation + PR depression across almost all leads
Aortic Dissection
S+S
- Abrupt onset of severe, sharp, or “tearing” chest pain
- Radiates to abdomen.
- Associations: back pain, syncope, stroke, MI, cardiac tamponade, sudden death
- Pulse differential (weaker pulse on 1 side) (high spec low sens)
Investigations
- Wide mediastinum on CXR, then image the aorta via CT, MRI, trans-eso ECHO, or aortic root angio
Tx
- Ascending aorta or aortic arch - surgical ER
- Distal to the subclavian artery - pharmacologically (dec BP)
Pulmonary Embolism (PE)
S+S
- Acute pleuritic chest pain, dyspnea, sometimes cough + hemoptysis
- Sinus tachycardia, tachypnea, wheezing
Investigations
- ECG: sinus tachy, non-specific ST + T wave changes, and sometimes P pulmonale, RAD, RBBB, RVH.
- Well’s score risk assessment: s+s, sinus tach, immobilization/ surgery, previous venous thromboembolism, malignancy, etc
- -> If Well’s is LOW, can r/o with D-dimer
- Gold std is pulmonary angiogram, but CT PE is great.
Tx
- Complete obstruction + hemodynamically unstable –> thrombolysis
- Otherwise, IV LMWH or unfractionated heparin for anticoagulation
Valvular Disease - Aortic Stenosis
S+S
- Dec CO, so: exertional chest pain/ syncope, dyspnea, palpitations
- Crescendo-decrescendo murmur
Investigations
- Transthoracic ECHO
Valvular Disease - Aortic Regurgitation
Valvular Disease - Mitral Stenosis
Etiology
- 50% from rheumatic fever. Also congenital, calcification.
Pathophys
- L heart backup -> Phtn -> sob, LAE, a.fib +/- thrombus
S+S
- Mild: inc S1 (valve is further apart when slams shut).
- Severe: dec S1 (doesn’t move).
- Opening snap (stiff MV opening)
Tx
- Diuretics for vascular congestion
- Slow HR (B-blocker, CCB, or digoxin) if afib
- Chronic anti-coag if MS + afib, abx prophylaxis (turbulent flow + rheumatic fever)
- Valve repair or replacement if severe
Valvular Disease - Mitral Regurgitation
Etiology
- Rheumatic fever, annular calcification, endocarditis, HCM, papillary muscle dysfunction, LV dilation
Pathophys
- Acute: inc P of LA -> helps prevent further regurg, but also backs up into pulmonary system
- Chronic: inc LA compliance overtime -> less pulmonary backup, but dec forward CO -> LVH/ dilation to compensate
S+S
- Acute: pulmonary congestion/ edema
- Chronic/ Severe: sx of dec CO (dizzy, weak, fatigue), sob, orthopnea, POD, RHF from LHF, S3
- Pansystolic blowing murmur
Tx
- Acute: diuretics to dec pulmon edema, vasodilators to dec forward resistance
- Chronic: vasodilators less helpful
Valvular Disease - Mitral Valve Prolapse
Valvular Disease - Tricuspid
Stable Angina
Categories
- Typical: substernal chest pain + worse with exertion/ stress + relief with rest or nitro
- Atypical: 2 of the 3 components
- Non-cardiac: 0 to 1 of the 3 components
Myocardial Ischemia
- O2 demand > supply
- Myocardial O2 demand: HR, systolic BP/ afterload, myocardial contractility, LV wall stress/ LV EDV/ preload, myocardial mass
- Myocardial O2 supply: coronary blood flow, perfusion pressure
Etiology
- Most commonly CAD
- Also coronary vasospasm, aortic stenosis, HOCM, systemic arterial htn, tachyarrhythmias, hyperthyroid, anemia, polycythemia
Investigations
- ECG, ECHO, MIBI, stress test
- CT angio, coronary angio (gold std for CAD dx)
Tx
- Risk factor modification
- Meds are key: anti-anginal (B-blocker, CCB, nitrates), vascular protection (anti-platelets, statins, ACE-I)
- PCI if meds fail- inc quality of life + dec angina, but doesn’t dec mortality
- CABG for severe/ extensive CAD, dec mortality* with L main stenosis, 3 vessel disease, and 2 vessel disease including LAD
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
- 94% = typical angina
Risk Factors
- Assess 10 yr CAD risk with Framingham Risk Score
- Smoking, dyslipidemia, DM, sedentary, bad diet, family hx
Pharmacology - Beta Blockers
- 1st line for most chronic stable angina
- Dec mortality* after MI. Esp metoprolol, carbedolol, bisoprolol.
Pathophys
- Dec HR, dec myocardial contractility, dec BP –> dec myocardial demand –> dec angina severity + frequency
Contraindications
- Severe reactive airway disease, severe bradycardia, decompensated HF
Pharmacology - Calcium Channel Blockers (CCB)
- 2nd line after B-blockers
Pathophys
- Vasodilate (dec BP), inc coronary blood flow, dec myocardial contractility
- Non-dihydropyridine (verapamil, diltiazem - greater effect on myocardial contractility/ conduction)
VS dihydropyridine (greater effect on vasodilation - can use in HF, and can combo with B-blockers)
Contraindications
- Short acting nifedipine (inc MI risk)
- Non-dihydro with HF, bradycardia, or B-blockers
Pharmacology - ACE-inhibitors (ACE-I)
- Best for pts with HF + dec LV EF
- Dec mortality* + in high-risk pts
- Ex: catopril
S/E/ contraindications
- Kinins cause chronic cough in 20% –> switch to ARB
- Teratogenic. Do NOT use in pregnancy
- HyperK
Pharmacology - Nitrates
Pathophys
- Dilate epicardial coronary vessels, inc venous capacitance, dec preload –> dec myocardial demand
- Will help sx, but need to combo with hydralazine
Contraindications
- Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor (ex: sildenafil)