Cardiology Flashcards
Who is eligable for AAA screening?
Ultrasound offered to men over 65
What is the differential for aortic stenosis?
HCM- gets louder on Valsalva (more preload- whereas AS gets quieter) and HCM gets quieter with squatting (afterload)
VSD
Aortic sclerosis- normal pulse (not slow rising) doesn’t radiate to carotids
Aortic flow
Which bacteria is responsible for rheumatic fever?
Streptococcus pyogenes
Name two conditions associated with aortic stenosis
Angiodysplasia (cause of GI bleeds in the elderly)
Coarctation with bicuspid aortic valve (check BP + radioradial delay)
On examination you have detected an ejection systolic murmur, what further investigations would you like to do:
ECG- looking for LVH voltage criteria
(S wave depth in V1 + R wave height in V5 or V6 >35mm)
CXR: calcified aortic valve
Echocardiogram (severe is LVOT gradient >50mmHg and valve area less than 1cm3 area)
Three main symptoms of aortic stenosis:
- Chest pain
- Exertional dyspnoea
- Syncope
What is P mitrale and the causes?
A bifid P wave
In isolation- mitral stenosis and volume overload slowing emptying
With LVH- hypertension, aortic stenosis, HCM
What is the Duke’s criteria:
2M; or 1M + 2m; or 5m
M:
2 +ve blood cultures (or persistently +ve when taken at varied times)
Echo- abscess, dihiscence, vegetation, new regurgitation
m:
Atypical organism on blood cultures; suggestive echo; pyrexia; embolic phenomena; high CRP or ESR; prosthetic valve/IVDU
Common causes of infective endocarditis:
Staph aureus (commonest) Strep viridians
Staph epidermidis; enterococci; diptherioids; HACEK (G -ve)
Haemophilus, Actinobacillus, Cardiobacterium, Eikenella, Kingella
If someone with infective endocarditis has an abscess at their aortic root, what ECG signs may be present?
PR prolongation > complete AV block
The AV node in the right atrium is closely approximated to the aortic root
Causes of Aortic Regurgitation:
Valvular:
Acute- endocarditis (no collapsing pulse)
Chronic- rheumatic fever, rheumatoid arthritis
Aortic root
Acute- dissection, trauma
Chronic- dilatation (Marfan’s, HTN)
Aortitis (syphilis, ankylosing spondylitis, vasculitis)
Eponymous signs of aortic regurgitation:
Quincke’s sign: capillary pulsations
De Musset’s sign: head nodding with each heartbeat
Corrigan’s sign: carotid pulsation
Duroziez’s sign: compress femoral artery 2cm proximal to stethoscope = systolic murmur
Traube’s sign: ‘pistol shot’ sound over femoral arteries
Difference between Austin Flint murmur and diastolic murmur of aortic regurgitation?
Early descending diastolic murmur = AR murmur
Mid diastolic crescendo murmur = Austin Flint (heard in severe AR)
Causes of aortic regurgitation:
Tension, been Conned, too much Rheum In it
Hypertension
Connective tissue: Marfans, Ehlers Danlos, osteogenesis imperfecta
Congenital: bicuspid valve
Rheum: seronegative arthritidies (ank spond, Reiter’s, psoriatic), rheumatoid arthritis, Takayasu’s
Infective: syphilis, rheumatic fever (strep pyogenes sequelae)
How is aortic regurgitation managed medically and definitively?
ACEi or ARBs to reduce afterload (systemic HTN)
Regular echo check ups- enlarging heart, LVEF, degree of AR
Surgery:
In chronic cases, replace the valve when:
Dyspnoeic + NYHA >2
Or ECG T wave inversion + EF <50% + pulse pressure >100mmHg
Commonest cause of mitral stenosis:
Rheumatic fever (commonest)
How small does the area of the mitral orifice have to be before a patient becomes symptomatic in mitral stenosis?
<2cm squared
If you hear a pansystolic murmur heard loudest at the apex, what investigations might you want?
ECG: AF + P mitrale (due to an enlarged heart)
CXR: pulmonary oedema, enlarged heart chambers (splaying of carina)
Echocardiogram + Doppler
What criteria is used to diagnose rheumatic fever?
Duckett Jones diagnostic criteria (Recent strep infection and 2M or 1M + 2m):
M:
Chorea, erythema marginatum, SC nodules, polyarthritis, carditis
m:
Pyrexia, arthralgia, PMH rheumatic fever,
Raised ESR, raised WCC, prolonged PR interval on ECG
If you wanted to prove a recent Group A beta haemolytic strep infection to diagnose rheumatic fever, what tests could you do?
Positive throat culture (normally -ve)
Rapid streptococcal antigen test +ve
Elevated streptococcal antibody titre (ASO or DNAse B titre)
Recent scarlet fever
Management of rheumatic fever:
Penicillin V
High dose aspirin- carditis/arthritis
A lateral thoracotomy scar may indicate which cardiac interventional procedure has occurred?
Mitral valvotomy- for mitral regurgitation
Why might a patient with mitral stenosis get a hoarse voice or dysphagia?
Enlarged LA atrium compressing the recurrent laryngeal nerve or the oesophagus
Causes of mitral regurgitation according to the valve leaflets, valve annulus (fibrous ring containing valves) + cordae pupillae
Valve leaflets:
Acute- endocarditis
Chronic- connective tissue disease (Marfan’s, Ehlers Danlos), myxomatous valves (stretchy valves), rheumatic fever
Valve annulus:
Chronic: calcification or LV dilatation stretching it, congenital ASD
Chordal papillae:
Acute- rupture ie MI
Chronic- fibrosis, amyloid
Tricuspid regurgitation causes:
Commonest- LVF + pulmonary hypertension (functional)
Endocarditis,
rheumatic fever,
carcinoid syndrome,
congenital (ASD, Ebstein’s, downward displacement of tricuspid valve)
What could a midline sternotomy scar indicate?
CABG- check radial artery + calves for saphenous vein harvesting
Aortic valve replacement- opening click in systole, ejection systolic murmur
Mitral valve replacement- closing click over S1, opening click in diastole
Potential interventions which would result in a lateral thoracotomy scar?
Mitral valve replacement
Mitral valve valvotomy
Coarctation repair/ BT shunt
Lung pathology- pneumonectomy, lobectomy
Which valve problems can be treated with a valvuloplasty?
Mitral or pulmonary stenosis- where valves are pliable, non-calcified and non-regurgitant.
Balloon catheter is inserted and inflated
Potential complications of valves:
Thrombosis (despite Warfarin)
Bleeding (because of Warfarin)
Haemolysis (RBCs against the valve)
Infective endocarditis
Early- S. epidermidis from skin. Late- S. viridians from blood
Prosthetic dysfunction- LVF
Under what circumstances might an ICD be given prior to anyone having a cardiac arrest (primary prevention)
MI > 4 weeks ago
+ LVEF < 35% + Non-sustained VT + positive EP study
Or
+ LVEF < 35% + broad QRS complexes
OR
Familial condition with risk of SCD (Brugada, HCM etc)
4 T’s that cause constrictive pericardiris
Any cause of acute pericarditis TB: cervical lymphadenopathy Trauma: sternotomy scar Tumour, radioTherapy: thoracotomy scar connective Tissue disease: RA hands, SLE signs
Infection: viral (EBV, HIV, Coxsackie), bacterial, fungal
Dressler’s syndrome?
Occurs 2-10 weeks after an MI, heart surgery or pacemaker insertion.
Thought that myocardial injury stimulates formation of autoantibodies against heart muscle.
PC: Recurrent fever + chest pain ± serositis (pleural/pericardial rub)
Rx: NSAIDs, aspirin, steroids
Viruses that may cause acute pericarditis?
Coxsackie (can cause hand foot + mouth) Flu Ebstein Barr virus Mumps Varicella HIV
Which drugs may cause acute pericarditis?
Antiarrhythmic (procainamide)
BP (hydralazine)
Cromolyn sodium (anti-asthma)
Isoniazid
In a patient with suspected constrictive pericarditis what signs might CXR uncover?
Calcified pericardium
Small heart
Difference between STEMI and NSTEMI in pathophysiology?
STEMI- clot of artery at site of a ruptured plaque
NSTEMI- clot of a ruptured plaque embolizes downstream to block a small artery
Following suspected ACS, how is GRACE score cut off used?
> 3% mortality risk at 6 months = need intervention
What things cause a rise in troponin bar an MI?
PE, severe sepsis, heart failure, tachy/brady arrhythmias, extreme exertion, renal failure
Gives a 5 x upper limit of normal
How does anticoagulation management differ according to acute or chronic AF?
CHADS2Vasc score is only used for chronic AF, if a patient has a score of 0 but wants to be DC-cardioverted then you should anticoagulate
How does Sotolol affect the ECG if given for AF?
Widens the QT interval, increasing risk of torsades de pointes
If someone has had AF for more than 48 hours and needs to be electively cardioverted, how long should you aim to anticoagulate for before doing so.
3 weeks
When is ivabradine used?
Patients with congestive heart failure who have tried beta blockers but can’t slow heart rate down:
Affects funny current in sinus node
Which patients get dysynchrony and how is it treated?
In patients with BBB, one ventricle contracts after the other due to slowed conduction leading to heart failure, so by pacing one ventricle early with a cardiac resynchronisation device.
What are the two ways ICD’s can help abort dysrhythmias?
- Shocking the heart
2. Overpacing a tachycardia at 220bpm to make the heart depolarisation become refractory so it can take over pacing.
What are the 5 classes of anti-arrhythmic drugs?
1- Na+ channel blockers (flecainide) 2- beta blockers 3- K+ channel blockers (amiodarone) 4- Ca++ channel blockers 5- Variable (digoxin)
What are the driving rules for angina and angioplasty?
Angina- no driving if Sx with rest or emotion
Angioplasty- stop driving for 1 week
What vision do patients require to allow for driving?
6/9 in the good eye
6/12 in the bad eye
Signs of an atrial septal defect in adults aged 40-60?
As LV compliance reduces with age the L to R shunt is augmented.
Pulmonary ejection systolic murmur
Fixed S2 split
Pulmonary hypertension (tricuspid regurgitation)
Causes of ventral septal defects?
Congenital or Post MI
Signs of VSD:
Pansystolic murmur, loudest at T area
Systolic thrill± parasternal heave
What is Eisenmenger’s syndrome?
A L to R shunt reverses as pulmonary hypertension causes increased R-sided pressures.
Results in cyanosis and heart failure
Where does coarctation of the aorta most commonly occur and what sign does this result in?
Distal to the L subclavian artery = radiofemoral delay
Arteries leaving the aortic arch in order:
Brachiocephalic A (splits into R subclavian and common carotid a)
L common carotid
L subclavian
Alphabetical!
4 features of Tetralogy of Fallot:
Overriding aorta
RVH
Pulmonary stenosis
VSD
Causes of acute pericarditis:
Vascular- MI Infection- viruses (coxsackie, flue, epstein barr, varicella), bacteria, fungi Trauma, surgery Autoimmune- Dressler's syndrome, RA, SLE, sarcoid Metabolic- hypothyroidism, uraemia Idiopathic Neoplasm- malignancy
Management of pericarditis:
- Ibuprofen
2. Colchicine (before steroids or immunosuppressants)
What are the complications of acute pericarditis:
Any cause of pericarditis may result in:
Pericardial effusion
Cardiac tamponade
Chronic fibrosis + constrictive pericarditis (rigid pericardium)
ECG has low-voltage QRS complexes, they recently were admitted with viral pericarditis, what is the likely cause?
Pericardial effusion- attenuates electrical signals
Differences between constrictive pericarditis and cardiac tamponade:
Constrictive pericarditis- heart encased in rigid pericardium
RHF, pericardial knock, prominant x descent on JVP
CXR- small heart
Cardiac tamponade- pericardial fluid raises chamber pressures
Falling BP
CXR- big globular heart
Both have:
Kussmaul’s sign (JVP rising with inspiration)
muffled heart sounds
Pulsus paradoxus (BP drops by 10mmHg on inspiration, can’t get enough blood to L side of heart when low lung pressure is compared to high chamber pressures)
How is acute myocarditis diagnosed?
Absence of MI, despite ECG changes and raised troponin I or T
Associations with dilated cardiomyopathy:
V: high BP
I: viral
M: Alcohol, haemochromatosis, thyrotoxicosis
Signs of HCM:
Jerky pulse
Prominant a wave in JVP
Systolic thrill at T area
Ejection systolic murmur
How does empirical Rx for infective endocarditis differ if the valve is native of prosthetic?
Native:
penicillin + vancomycin (inhibits peptidoglycan synthesis)
Prosthetic:
Vancomycin + gentamicin + rifampicin
(Same if staph is cause)
Which bacteria make up the HACEK organisims accounting for 3% of endocarditis?
Gram -ve, treated with amoxicillin + gentamicin
Haemophilus Actinobaillus Cardiobacterium Eikenella Kingella
What are the signs of infective endocarditis and their pathological explanation:
Immune complex deposition: haematuria + glomerulonephritis Roth spots- fundi Splinter haemorrhages Osler's nodes (OWW! Painful pulps)
Embolic phenomena:
Abscesses
Janeway lesions (way!! High 5!! Painless palmar!!)
Tests for infective endocarditis:
FBC, CRP, ESR, U+E, Mg, LFT Urinanalysis (blood ++) CXR- cardiomegaly ECG- AV block (aortic root abscess) Echo- transthoracic if vegetations if >2mm, transoesophageal more sensitive for visualising mitral valve
Causes of tricuspid regurgitation:
T- tension in the pulmonary system > RV dilation
R-rheumatic fever
I- IE (IVDU)
C- carcinoid syndrome + congenital
What is Ebstein’s abnormality?
Downwards displacement of the tricuspid valve, small RV
Patient has a pansystolic murmur, loudest on inspiration, heard best at the L lower sternal border. Differential?
Tricuspid regurgitation
Other signs: giant v waves in JVP, RV heave, pulsatile hepatomegaly,
Pulmonary stenosis (should be louder higher up chest) or ASD- may get a split P2
Early diastolic murmur, loudest with inspiration, differential:
Tricuspid stenosis- opening snap
Pulmonary regurgitation- decrescendo
What is the Graham Steele murmur?
Decrescendo murmur in early diastole
Pulmonary regurgitation
Mitral stenosis
Pulmonary hypertension
Heart defects associated with:
Down’s syndrome
Turner’s syndrome
Marfan’s syndrome
Downs- ASD, VSD, mitral regurgitation
Turner’s- Coarctation of aorta (webbed neck)
Marfan’s- mitral valve prolapse, AR, aortic dissection (midsystolic click)
Management of Aortic stenosis:
Symptomatic or
Asymptomatic + peak gradient >50mmHg or valve area <1cm3
Open valve replacement
Transcatheter AV implantation (TAVI) or valvuloplasty
Valves:
Metallic (anticoagulation needed, long lasting)
Porcine valves (less durable)
Cadaveric
What causes aortic sclerosis and how is it distinguished from aortic stenosis?
Age- related degeneration of the valve
No carotid radiation or pulse changes (character + volume), S2 normal
What is the Austin Flint murmur and what causes it?
Mid-diastolic low pitching murmur heard at the apex
Sign of severe AR where backwards flow from aorta causes vibration against the mitral valve leaflet