Cardiology Flashcards
True or False
Menstruating women virtually never have MIs
True
By the time a woman is 55-60, the protective effect of menstruation and naturally-occurring estrogen have worn off, and the rates of CAD will at least equal the rates in men
The worse risk factor for CAD is…
The most common risk factor for CAD is…
Worse risk factor = DM
Most common risk factor = HTN
Others risk factors include: tobacco, hyperlipidemia, FHx of premature CAD, age >45 in men and >55 in women
Premature CAD is defined as…
CAD <55 in males
CAD <65 in females
FHx that increases your risk of CAD
CAD in first-degree relatives
Premature CAD in a family member
NOT if CAD developed in elderly relatives or if the relatives were grandparents, cousins, or aunts/uncles
Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy
Acute myocardial damage most often occuring in postmenopausal women immediately following an overwhelming, emotionally stressful event
Leads to “ballooning” and LV dyskinesis
Management of Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy
Beta blockers and ACE inhibitors
Revascularization will not help, since the coronary arteries are normal
Elevated homocysteine levels
Chlamydia Infection
Elevated CRP
Disease markers that are unreliable (unproven) risk factors for CAD
Within a year after stopping smoking, the risk of CAD decreases by…
50 %
Within 2 years, the risk is reduced by 90%
Ischemic pain is NOT:
- Tender
- Positional
- Pleuritic
NPV = 95%
The most common cause of chest pain that is NOT ischemic in nature is…
GI disorders (e.g., GERD, ulcers, cholelithiasis, duodenitis, and gastritis)
Most likely diagnosis for chest wall tenderness
Costochondritis
Most accurate test = physical exam
Most likely diagnosis for chest pain that radiates to the back with unequal blood pressure between arms
Aortic dissection
Most accurate test = CXR with widened mediastinum, chest CT, MRI, or TEE
Most likely diagnosis for chest pain that is worse with lying flat, better when sitting up, and patient is <40
Pericarditis
Most accurate test = electrocardiogram with ST elevation everywhere, PR depression
Most likely diagnosis for chest pain that is sharp, pleuritic, and pt has tracheal deviation
Pneumothorax
Most accurate test = CXR
Stress testing is the answer when…
the etiology of chest pain is uncertain and the EKG is not diagnostic
Maximum HR =
220 minus the age of the patient
The 2 best methods of detecting ischemia without the use of EKG are:
- Nuclear isotope uptake: thallium* or sestamibi
- Echocardiographic detection of wall motion abnormalities (dyskinesis, akinesis, or hypokinesis)
*Abnormalities will be detected by seeing decreased thallium uptake
LBBB
LV hypertrophy
Pacemaker
Digoxin
Reasons for baseline EKG abnormalities
What if the patient cannot tolerate exercise (i.e., heart rate above 85% of maximum)
Nuclear isotope testing: give dipyridamole* or adenosine
Echo: give dobutamine to increase myocardial oxygen consumption
*Dipyridamole may provoke bronchospasm (avoid in asthmatics)
Angiography is used to detect…
the anatomic location of coronary artery disease
Angiography determines bypass surgery versus angioplasty
Holter monitor is used mainly for…
rhythm evaluation
Usually used for a 24-hour period (does NOT detect ischemia)
Therapeutic options for patients with chronic angina
ASA
Beta Blockers
Nitroglycerin*
*Nitro can be used orally or transdermally (sublingual, paste, and IV forms are only used in acute coronary syndromes)
All patients with ACS should receive _________ immediately upon arrival in the ER.
2 antiplatelet medications
- ASA
- Clopidogrel, prasugrel, or ticagrelor (inhibitors of P2Y12 receptor on platelets)
* When angioplasty and stenting is planned, the answer is ticagrelor or prasugrel (they best prevent restenosis)*
Best mortality benefit in chronic angina
ASA and Beta Blockers
Side effect unique to Prasugrel
>75 = increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke
Side effects unique to Ticlopidine
Neutropenia and TTP*
*Clopidogrel is rarely associated with TTP
Pt develops hyperkalemia after starting an ACE inhibitor d/t low ejection fraction (systolic dysfunction), what is the next best step in management?
Switch ACE-I to hydralazine and nitrates (cannot just switch to ARB because that also leads to hyperkalemia)
Hydralazine is a direct arterial vasodilator (decreases afterload) and is used in association with nitrates to dilate the coronary arteries so that blood is not “stolen”
Most common adverse effect of statin medications
Liver dysfunction (all patients should have their AST and ALT routinely tested)
Why are statins first-line lipid lowering agents in patients with CAD?
They have an antioxidant effect on the endothelial lining of the coronary arteries
Adverse Effects of Second-Line Lipid-Lowering Medications
- Niacin
- Fibric acid derivatives
- Cholestyramine
- Ezetimibe
- Niacin - elevated glucose and uric acid level, pruritus
- Gemfibrozil (fibric acid derivatives) - increased risk of myositis when combined with statins
- Cholestyramine - flatus and abdominal cramping
- Ezetimibe - well tolerated and nearly useless
Use CCBs in CAD only with:
CCBs (verapamil/diltiazem are the only options since the others will increase HR and, subsequently, myocardial oxygen consumption)
- Severe asthma precluding the use of beta blockers
- Prinzmetal variant angina
- Cocaine-induced chest pain
Adverse Effects of CCBs
- Edema
- Constipation (most often with verapamil)
- Heart block (rare)
When is CABG better than PCI?
- 3 vessel disease
- Left main coronary artery occlusion
- 2 vessel disease in a patient with diabetes
- *Internal mammary artery grafts last on average for 10 years whereas saphenous vein grafts remain patent reliably for only 5 years*
What is an S4 gallop and how is it associated with Acute Coronary Syndrome
S4 gallop = sound of atrial systole as blood is ejected from the atrium into a stiff ventricle
ACS is associated with an S4 gallop because of ischemia leading to noncompliance of the LV
Pulsus Paradoxus
A decrease in BP >10 on inspiration (associated with cardiac tamponade)
Also seen with severe asthma or COPD
Kussmaul sign
Increase in JVP on inhalation (most often associated with constrictive pericarditis)
Dressler syndrome
Pericarditis several days to weeks after an MI