Cardiology Flashcards
Electrical alternans
Pericardial effusion
(2/2 pericarditis, MI, penetrating trauma, iatrogenic [Central-line placement, pacemaker insertion])
New-onset RBBB
Right heart strain
(think PE; usually +JVD)
Symmetric ischemia and necrosis of distal fingers/toes during vasopressor resuscitation
NE-induced vasospasm
Can also occur in intestines and kidneys
(mesenteric ischemia; renal failure)
Fingertip pain and pallor triggered by cold or stress
Raynaud’s phenomenon
Asymmetrical “blue toe syndrome”
cholesterol emboli
(pts with atherosclerosis)
Immigrant + irregular heartbeat
Rheumatic MS
Fainting after urinating, coughing, or defecating
Situational syncope
(triggers cause a cardioinhibitory, vasodepressor,
or mixed neural alteration in autonomic response)
Postural change-induced fainting
Orthostatic syncope
Fainting from prolonged standing, emotional distress, or painful stimuli
Vasovagal syncope
(neurally mediated)
- Tx: Counterpressure maneuvers & trigger avoidance
- e.g. leg crossing w/ tensing of muscles, handgrip, tensing of arm muscles w/ clenched fists, etc.
Exercise-induced fainting
- HOCM
- Aortic stenosis
- Anomalous coronary arteries
Fainting w/ prior hx of CAD, MI, cardiomyopathy,
or decreased EF
Ventricular arrhythmias
Fainting in setting of sinus pauses, prolonged PR or prolonged QRS
Sick sinus syndrome, bradyarrhythmias, or AV block
Fainting in setting of hypokalemia, hypomag, increased QT meds
Torsades de points
(acquired long QT syndrome)
FHx of sudden death, increased QT, syncope w/ exercise/startle/sleeping
Congenital long QT syndrome
Micturition
Urination
Upper extremity HTN + lower extremity claudication
Aortic coarctation
Dilated pupils
Cocaine/stimulants
Pinpoint pupils
Heroin/Opioids
Avoid ___ in cocaine-induced ACS
Beta Blockers
(to avoid risk of unopposed cocaine-induced alpha agonist activity and resultant worsening vasoconstriction)
Digitalis (Digoxin) toxicity
CGN
Digoxin
Cardiac Glycoside
- Cardiac (Atrial tachycardia with AV block)
- GI (anorexia, N/V, abd pain)
- Neurologic (fatigue, confusion, weakness, color vision alterations)
- Increased ectopy in atria or ventricles —> Atrial tachycardia
- Increased vagal tone —> Decreased AV node conduction —> Potential AV block
- Increased with amiodarone
Pulsus paradoxus
Cardiac tamponade or severe asthma/COPD
(Respiratory variation in SBP)
>10mmHg SBP drop during inspiration
Pulsus paradoxus
(Cardiac tamponade or severe asthma/COPD)
Post-CABG
Think cardiac tamponade ⇒ get echo
Most common location of ectopic foci
that cause AFib
Pulmonary veins
(can be disrupted by catheter-based radiofrequency ablation)
S3
CHF or Volume Overload:
- CHF
- MR (chronic severe)
- AR (chronic)
- Pregnancy (due to high CO state)
- Thyrotoxicosis (due to high CO state)
S4
“HHAA”
- HTN
- HOCM
- Aortic Stenosis
- Acute MI
PCWP
LA pressure; LV End-Diastolic pressure
- Decreased in intravascular volume loss
Increased BNP
CHF
- +S3 sound
- +/- peripheral edema (less specific for CHF)
Arrhythmia caused by hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia
VT
(such as with furosemide)
Tx of beta blocker or CCB toxicity
IV Atropine + IVF
(IV Glucagon if refractory)
Prolonged PR interval, normal QRS
First-degree AV block due to delayed impulse transmission anywhere from atria to ventricles —> NO FURTHER EVALUATION REQUIRED
(Observation only)
Prolonged PR + wide QRS duration
Conduction delay likely below the AV node
(often in bundle branches) —> Electrophysiological testing
Causes of HFpEF
- Dilated cardiomyopathy (beriberi/thiamine deficiency)
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- Restrictive cardiomyopathy (sarcoidosis, amyloidosis, hemochromatosis, endomyocardial fibrosis)
Lid lag
hyperthyroidism
Wt loss + lid lag + hand tremor
hyperthyroidism
Indication for Holter monitoring
Symptomatic pts w/ intermittent arrhythmias
CHF (diastolic dysfxn) + proteinuria + easy bruising
Amyloidosis
(in elderly)
AL amyloidosis
primary
AA amyloidosis
secondary to RA, IBD, chronic infections