Cardiology Flashcards
hypertension is a risk factor for
Stroke - ischaemic and haemorrhagic MI HF CKD Cognitive decline Premature death Peripheral vascular disease
What are optimal, normal and high blood pressures
Optimal < 120 / 80
Normal 120 - 139 / 80-89
high >140/90
How often should healthy patients have BP checked routinely
At least every 5 years until age 80
Define postural hypotension
A fall in SBP >20mmHg
1st step in investigation once BP >140/90
Ambulatory BP monitoring / at home BP monitoring
Assess CV risk and target organ damage
Define stage 1, 2 and 3 hypertension
Stage 1 - 140-159 /90-99
Stage 2 - 160-179 /100-109
Stage 3 - >179
Features suggesting phaeochromocytoma
Labile / postural hypertension Headache Palpitations Pallor Diaphoresis (excessive sweating)
1st line anti-hypertensives in over 55s
Calcium channel blocker
2nd line anti-hypertensives in over 55s
Calcium channel blocker
AND
Ace inhibitor / angiotensin receptor blocker
2nd line anti-hypertensives in under 55s
Ace inhibitor / angiotensin receptor blocker
AND
calcium channel blocker
3rd line anti-hypertensives
Ace inhibitor / angiotensin receptor blocker AND Calcium channel blocker AND Diuretic (thiazide-like)
CV risk factors
> 75 yo Male CV disease Hypertension Hypercholesterolaemia DM Smoking Obesity Sedentary lifestyle Familial hypercholesterolaemia Peripheral vascular disease Polycythaemia rubra Vera LV hypertrophy
Lifestyle interventions In Hypertension
Diet Exercise Relaxation Decrease alcohol Decrease caffeine Decrease salt Smoking cessation
Examples of ACE inhibitors
Ramipril Captopril Enalapril Lisinopril Perindopril
SE of ace inhibitors
Dry cough (^bradykinin)
Rare - angioedema, proteinuria, neutropenia
Can –> CRF in bilateral RAS
Examples of angiotensin II receptor blocker
Losartan
Valsartan
Candesartan
Examples of calcium channel blockers
Amlodipine
Nifedipine
Nimodipine
Felodipine
SE of calcium channel blockers
Dizziness, hypotension, flushing, ankle oedema
Examples of thiazide-like diuretics
Chlorothiazide
Chlortalidone
Indapamide
Examples of thiazide diuretics
Bendroflumethiazide
Hydrochlorothiazide
When may beta-blockers be considered
- intolerance of ACEi and ARB
- F of childbearing age
- pt with increased sympathetic drive
most common cause of hypertension
essential hypertension
80-90%
Factors contributing to essential hypertension
genetic fetal - low birth weight environmental - obestity - alcohol intake - sodium intake - stress insulin resistance
causes of secondary hypertension
renal disease endocrine disorders congenital coarctation of the aorta drugs pregnancy
renal causes of secondary hypertension
Diabetic nephropathy Chronic glomerulonephritis Adult polycystic kidney disease Chronic tubulointerstitial disease renovascular disease
endocrine causes of secondary hypertension
Conn's Syndrome Adrenal hyperplasia Phaeochromocytoma Cushing's syndrome Acromegally
Define malignant hypertension
Rapid increase in BP to severe levels >180/120
Associated with end organ failure.
E.g. Renal failure, encephalopathy.
Effects of malignant hypertension
Fibrinogen necrosis of vessel wall
Progressive renal failure, proteinuria and haematuria
Retinal haemorrhages, cotton wool spots, hard exudates and papilloedema
Untreated - 80% die within 1 year
What commonly causes a slow rising pulse
Aortic stenosis
What commonly causes a collapsing pulse
Aortic regurgitation
Causes of a bounding pulse
CO2 retention
hepatic failure
sepsis
Cause of radiofemoral delay
Coarctation of the aorta
Causes of pulsus paroxidus
cardiac tamponade pericarditis chronic sleep apnea croup asthma COPD
Caused of raised, fixed JVP
Superior vena cava obstruction
JVP raising on inspiration
Cardiac tamponade
Constrictive pericarditis
Cause of cannon ‘a’ waves in JVP
Complete heart block
Atrioventricular (AV) dissociation
Ventricular arrhythmias
Signs of Mitral stenosis
Tapping apex beat
Loud first heart sound
Rumbling mid-diastolic murmur at apex (louder in left lateral position on expiration)
Signs of Aortic regurgitation
Wide pulse pressure
Displaced, volume-overloaded apex beat
Early diastolic murmur at lower sternal edge (best heard in expiration leaning forward)
Signs of Mitral regurgitation
Displaced, volume overloaded apex beat
Soft first heart sound
Pansystolic murmur at apex radiating to axilla (louder in expiration)
Signs of Aortic stenosis
Narrow pulse pressure
Heaving undisplaced apex beat
Soft second heart sound
Ejection systolic murmur heard in aortic area radiating to carotids and apex
Signs of a Ventricular septal defect
Harsh pansystolic murmur lower left sternal edge
Left parasternal heave
What is the difference between Osler’s nodes and Janeway’s lesions.
In what condition do they occur?
Osler’s nodes = painful hard swellings on fingers/toes
Janeway’s lesions = painless erythematous blanching macules seen on palmar surface
In Infective Endocarditis
Most common complications of acute MI
Sudden death Arrhythmia Cardiogenic shock HF Cardiac rupture Pericarditis Depression / anxiety
Inferior ECG leads
II, III, aVF
Anterior ECG leads
V2-V4
Possible symptoms of acute AF
Asymptomatic Palpitations HF angina SOB Embolic episodes
ECG features of AF
No clear p waves
Baseline fibrillation
Rapid and irregularly irregular QRSs
Management of AF
Treat precipitating cause e.g. Hyperthyroidism
Acute = Rate control or Cardioversion
Long term = warfarin + rate /Rhythm control
Major and moderate risk factors in AF which indicate anticoagulation (not chads vasc)
Major = prosthetic valve / rheumatic mitral valve disease / past stroke or TIA Moderate = >75 / hypertension / HF / DM
What is CHADS VaSc
Congestive HF = 1 Hypertension = 1 Age >75 = 2 65-74 = 1 DM = 1 Stroke = 2 Vascular dis. = 1 Sex - F = 1
What is the most common cause of secondary hypertension?
Renal disease
E.g. Renal artery stenosis, glomerulonephritis
Management of AF lasting > 48 hours
Anticoagulate the patient With warfarin for one month.
Then attempt cardioversion.
Then continue warfarin for 1 more month.
Rate control with beta-blocker or calcium channel blocker.
Management of severely compromised acute persistent AF
Immediate DC shock
Heparin
What drug would aid the diagnosis of an unidentifiable regular narrow complex tachycardia?
Adenosine
Causes AV block -Short half life
(Can cause chest pain)
What is torsade de pointes?
Ventricular tachycardia with varying QRS axis and a prolonged QT interval
What may Torsade de pointes degenerate into?
Ventricular fibrillation
Leading to cardiac arrest
Causes of torsade de pointes?
Drugs,
electrolyte disturbance,
congenital long QT syndrome.
Treatment of torsade de pointes?
IV magnesium sulphate.
Ventricular pacing.
Correct hypokalaemia.
Management of malignant hypertension?
Gradual uncontrolled production of BP
Labetalol.
What causes a slow rising pulse?
Aortic stenosis
Collapsing pulse
Aortic regurgitation
Bounding pulse
Acute CO2 retention
Hepatic failure
Sepsis
Radio femoral delay
Coarctation of aorta
What causes Pulsus bisferiens
Mixed aortic valve disease
HOCM