Cardiology Flashcards
ECG findings of digoxin effect
Down-sloping “sagging” appearance of ST depression (reverse tick)
Flattened, inverted or biphasic T waves
Shortened QT interval
Dijoxin effect - DALI (salvador dali’s moustache)
Cardiovascular drugs which can cause gynaecomastia
Anti-hypertensives: - Spironolactone - Methyldopa - Calcium channel blockers Atrial fibrillation treatment: - Digoxin
Congenital long QT syndrome predisposes to what complications
Polymorphic ventricular tachycardia
- syncope
- cardiac arrest
- sudden death
Syndromes which cause congenital long QT syndrome
Romano-Ward Syndrome:
- autosomal dominant
Jervell and Lang-Nielsen Syndrome
- autosomal recessive
- also causes deafness
Role of cadioversion when in AF or atrial flutter
Prevents deterioration into VT
Management of angina
Non-pharmacological (smoking cessation, diet modification, exercise, weight reduction, salt reduction, stress reduction)
Pharmacological:
- appropriate management of risk factors (anti-hypertensives/diabetics, statins, smoking cessation aids as indicated)
- Antiplatelet therapy (aspirin)
- Symptom control - GTN, beta-blockers, Ca channel blockers, isosorbide mono-/d-nitrate)
Surgical:
- revascularisation if angina refractory or progressing (PCI, CABG)
Clinical features of inferior MI
Raised JVP without pulmonary crepitations
Bradycardia (AV node dys-syncrhony)
Hypotension (reduced RV output)
MAY have Kussmaul JVP in acute setting
Cardiac biomarkers
Elevated in myocardial infarction, normal in unstable angina
CK-MB - peaks early and returns to normal after 36-72 hours (useful for determining reinfarction)
Troponins - repeat 6-12h after admission if negative at first
Initial management of acute coronary syndrome
Aspirin
GTN + IV morphine as required
12-lead ECG in transit
O2 as required
In inferior MI with hypotension: DO NOT GIVE GTN, increase preload with fluids
Risk stratification in acute coronary syndrome
TIMI (thrombolysis in MI prediction score)
- Age over 65
- More than 3 CAD risk factors
- Known CAD
- Aspirin use in last 7 days
- Severe angina (2+ episodes of rest pain in 24h)
- ST deviation on ECG
- Elevated CK-MB or troponin
Each risk factor = 1 point
TIMI score values
1-2 = low-risk 3-4 = moderate risk 5+ = high risk
Management of NSTEMI or unstable angina
Low-moderate risk:
- aspirin
- nil anticoagulants or invasive management indicated
- optimise therapy + lifestyle for risk factors
- Long-term SAAB
- Symptomatic relief (GTN etc)
High-risk:
- aspirin AND clopidogrel
- unfractionated heparin or SC enoxaparin
- IV tirofiban or eptifibatide
- beta-blocker
- Coronary angiography and revascularisation within 48 hours unless contraindicated
Treatment of STEMI
Symptom onset less than 1hr prior to presentation:
If PCI available within 1h PCI, if not = fibirnolysis
Symptom onset 1-3h before presentation
PCI if available within 90min or fibrinoysis
Symptom onset 3-12h before presentation:
PCI if available within 90m (or 2h incl. transport offsite), otherwise fibrinolysis
Indications for CABG
Suitable anatomy
Contraindications to fibrinolysis or PCI
Cardiogenic shock
Drug eluding stent v bare metal stent
DES: generally small vessel disease (reduced risk of restenosis and scarring)
BMS: generally used in large arteries at risk of restenosis from scarring, but due to large diameter blood flow should not be significantly reduced
Must be replaced in 10y time so are not used in vessels that are difficult to reach
Anti-thrombin therapy indications
Should be used in PCI +/- Gp IIa/III inhibitor
Should be used in fibrinolysis with fibrin-specific agents
Fibrinolytic agents
Streptokinase - lower rate of intracranial haemorrhage
Fibrin-specific agents (reduced mortality v streptokinase)
- Alteplase
Agents of choice (second generation):
- Reteplase
- Tenecteplase (lower rate of bleeding than alteplase)
Timeline of gross pathology following AMI
4-24h: gradual development of pale centre, peripheral dark mottling, oedematous
3-7d: pale/yellow rubbery centre, haemorrhagic border
1-3w: infarcted area is pale, thin with red/grey border, loss of tissue mass (granulation tissue)
3-6w(permanent): silver scar becoming tough and white (replacement of granulation tissue with dense fibrosis)
Complications of acute myocardial infarction
Acutely:
Mechanical
- rupture of left ventricular free wall
- rupture of interventricular septum (d3-5)
- papillary muscle rupture (MV prolapse)
Electrical:
- Inferior MI (transient sinus bradycardia, 1st degree AV block, complete heart block)
- Anterior MI (2nd or 3rd degree AV block, bifascicular or trifascicular block)
Other:
- peri-infarction pericarditis, pericardial effusion
Chronic:
- mitral regurg (LV dilatation)
- Dressler’s syndrome
Pathophysiology of Dressler’s syndrome
Myocardial injury - release of cardiac antigens - antibodies formed - immune complexes deposited onto pericardium - inflammatory response
Management of Dressler’s syndrome
Resolves with NSAIDs in most cases
If refractory - steroids (may delay myocardial healing)
Precipitants of acute pulmonary oedema
Cardiogenic: acute MI, arrhythmia, pericarditis, acute valvular dysfunction, endocarditis
Fluid overload
Drugs (NSAIDs, Ca channel blockers)
Noncompliance (with fluid restriction or meds)
Pulmonary embolus
Acute renal failure
High output states (septic, anaemia, thryotoxicosis)
Clinical features of acute pulmonary oedema
Severe dyspnoea Distress Pallor Sweating Tachycardia Poor peripheral perfusion
Management of acute pulmonary oedema
O2 via non rebreather mask IV access continuous ECG S/L GTN every 5 minutes for 3 doses (reduce preload) CPAP or BiPAP (reduce alveolar oedema) Frusemide to red. fluid overload Morphine (red. distress and WOB)
If in rapid AF - digoxin
Fluid overload not responding to frusemide - spironolactone