CARDIOLOGY Flashcards
What is the differential diagnosis of prolonged QT?
- Congenital: -Romano-Ward syndrome (most common genetic cause of prolonged QT syndrome, autosomal dominent) -Jervell-Lange-Nielsen syndrome (associated with deafness) 2. Acquired -Drugs (antiarrhythmics, dexmedetomidate, TCAs, antipsychotics, antibiotics such as macrolides) -Electrolytes (hypocalcemia, hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia) -Intracranial lesion (encephalitis, head trauma, stroke) -Cardiac disease
What is the treatment for myocarditis?
SUPPORTIVE for mild cases 1. Bed rest 2. Digoxin 3. Cautious diuresis since they’re preload dependent (will need some volume) 4. Afterload reduction - ACE inhibitor 5. Anti arrhythmic For severe cases: may need inotropes/ICU support
What is the rule of 1/3s for myocarditis?
1/3 complete recover 1/3 develop chronic dilated cardiomyopathy and require lifelong failure management 1/3 require transplant or have sudden death from arrhythmia
What is the differential diagnosis for left axis deviation on ECG (5)?
Left axis deviation is always abnormal 1. AVSD 2. Tricuspid atresia 3. Pulmonary atresia 4. Pulmonary stenosis 5. Single LV
What is the cause of biventricular hypertrophy on ECG?
VSD
What 3 congenital heart diseases is most likely to present with severe cyanosis within the first few hours of life?
- Transposition of the great arteries (MOST COMMON PRESENTING CYANOTIC LESION TO PRESENT IN NEWBORN PERIOD) -only mixing is through an open PDA and PFO -need PGE1 to keep PDA open in order to maintain oxygenation to systemic circulation
- Pulmonary atresia
- Ebstein’s anomaly
What are the clinical signs and symptoms of a “tet spell” (3)? What occurs physiologically during a “tet spell”?
(aka hypercyanotic spell)
- Acute onset of intense cyanosis
- Sudden softening of murmur (due to decreased blood flow through the obstructed right outflow tract)
- Deep rapid respiratory pattern (no work of breathing should be seen theoretically)
“Tet spell” - acute, sudden onset of increased right ventricular outflow tract obstruction and resultant decreased pulmonary blood flow (can be precipitated by agitation, fever, exercise, etc) –> obstruction of deoxygenated blood flow into the pulmonary artery –> deoxygenated blood shunts through the large VSD into the left ventricle –> deoxygenated blood flows into systemic circulation causing cyanosis -typically present starting at around 2 months of age as right ventricular outflow tract obstruction worsens -indication for urgent surgical repair
What are the 4 characteristic heart defects in Tetralogy of Fallot?
- Overriding aorta (empties from both the LV and RV) 2. RVH 3. Right ventricular outflow tract obstruction (ie. pulmonary stenosis) 4. VSD
In Tetralogy of Fallot, what does the severity of clinical signs and symptoms depend on?
The degree of right ventricular outflow tract obstruction
What 3 genetic conditions can be commonly be associated with Tetrology of Fallot?
- DiGeorge syndrome (22q11 deletion)
- Down syndrome
- Alagille syndrome
What is the immediate management of a “tet spell”?
Step-wise approach: if one step fails, move onto the next
- Put patient in knee-chest position -as with squatting, knee-chest position increases systemic vascular resistance, thus increasing left ventricular pressure and decreasing the right to left shunt of deoxygenated blood, promoting flow instead back into the lungs -also increases venous return to right side of heart to promote flow to lungs
- Administer O2 -O2 is pulmonary vasodilator (decreasing pulmonary vascular resistance and thus increases blood flow to lungs) and systemic vasoconstrictor
- Administer morphine (0.1 mg/kg) and give fluid bolus -morphine theoretically decreases agitation and thus RVOT obstruction -fluids improves venous return
- Administer IV beta blocker (propanolol 0.1 mg/kg) -causes relaxation of RVOT obstruction
- Administer IV phenylephrine (selective alpha agonist) -increases afterload (systemic vascular resistance)
What is a PVC?
Premature ventricular contraction - heartbeat is initiated by Purkinje fibers in the ventricles instead of the SA node -wide QRS -ventricles contract before atria has had time to fill them with blood
What are the 4 types of PVCs?
- Bigeminy -PVC occurs after every normal beat = non concerning
- Trigeminy -two normal beats to one PVC = non concerning 3. Quadrigeminy -three normal beats to one PVC = non concerning
- Ventricular tachycardia -3 or more PVCs occuring in a row = concerning obviously
What noninvasive tests can be ordered to investigate a history of arrhythmia (4)?
- ECG
- Holter monitor
- Event recorders -loop recorders: children always wear the device and press a button when they experience symptoms -pacer tracers: connected to telephone for recording
- ECHO
What are the two treatment modalities for chronic arrhythmias?
- Medical therapy with antiarrhythmics 2. Catheter ablation therapy
When would catheter ablation be the treatment of choice for a child with a tachyarrthymia over medical therapy?
If tachyarrhythmia has caused a life-threatening event
What is the treatment of choice for children with bradyarrythmias?
Cardiac pacing
What can be seen on ECG of a patient with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (2)?
- Delta waves - short PR interval with upsloping, reflects pre-excitation (electrical conduction from atria to ventricle via pathway other than AV node) since the normal delay between the P and the R is missing (ie. the normal delay of electrical conduction by the AV node)
- Wide QRS
What are the 2 types of SVT (and 2 subtypes within each type)?
1. Re-entry
a) AVRT (atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia)
b) AVNRT (atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia)
2. Automaticity: MAY see variability, warm up and slow down period, usually a bit lower rate, most will NOT respond to adenosine
a) Ectopic atrial tachycardia
b) J_unctional ectopic tachycardia (JET)_
What is Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome?
Pre-excitation syndrome: presence of abnormal accessory electrical conduction pathway (Bundle of Kent) between the atria and ventricles
- pathway conducts electrical activity at higher rate than AV node and thus, if pt had atrial flutter, would conduct all the beats to the ventricles (bypassing the AV node’s natural ability to slow down atrial impulses to protect the ventricles from beating too fast)
- risk of ventricular fibrillation and sudden death
Describe the pathophysiology of AVRT SVT.
- presence of accessory pathway outside of AV node
- normal SA antegrade conduction goes through the AV node and then retrograde up accessory pathway to reactivate the ventricles
- in WPW, normal SA goes antegrade through the accessory pathway bypassing AV node (and thus no normal delay in conduction)
- more likely in < 6 yo
Describe the pathophysiology of AVNRT SVT.
- presence of 2 conducting pathways WITHIN the AV node (one fast and slow) creating a reentrant loop using one pathway in antegrade direction and one in retrograde
- more likely in > 6 yo
Adenosine is only effective at terminating which type of SVT (2)?
Re-entry
- AVRT
- AVNRT
-Adenosine blocks AV node conduction
Why do vagal maneuvers assist in terminating SVTs?
Vagal maneuvers activate parasympathetic nervous system conducted to the heart by the vagus nerve
-increase AV nodal block to eliminate conduction to the ventricles
Which antiarrhythmics should be avoided in children with WPW (2)?
- Digoxin
- Calcium channel blockers (ie. verapamil) Both have potential proarrhythmia effects and can enhance conduction properties of accessory pathway (by blocking AV node so the impulse is forced to go to the accessory pathway) resulting in more rapid ventricular rate during atrial flutter and increased risk for sudden death
In which clinical circumstances do you worry that PVCs may lead to increased risk of sudden cardiac death/
- Post-op CHD
- Poor cardiac function (ie. cardiomyopathy)
What 5 features of syncope may be suggestive of a cardiogenic etiology?
- Sudden onset (“drop”) without prodromal symptoms or awareness
- Occurred during exercise or startle
- Limp or lifeless during syncope leading to injury
- Palpitations, chest pain or abnormal heart rate noted before event
- Family history of sudden death
What are 5 causes of cardiogenic syncope with risk of sudden cardiac arrest?
- HOCM
-
Arryhthmia:
a. WPW
b. Prolonged QT syndrome
c. Arrhythmogenic RV dysplasia - Coronary artery anomalies ALPCA (ie. coronaries comes between pulmonary artery and aorta; during exercise, increases stroke volume and thus great vessel size and squishes coronary arteries and get MI)
What 3 congenital heart defects are seen with maternal diabetes?
- VSD 2. HOCM 3. PDA
Which cyanotic heart defect is most likely to present in: -newborn period -infancy period -childhood period
- Newborn period: transposition of great arteries
- Infancy period: tricuspid atresia
- Childhood period: TOF
What is Ebstein’s anomaly?
Abnormal tricuspid valve leaflets (either abnormal shape, too large or adhered to the septum) -get constant connection between RA and RV with tricuspid regurgitation due to inadequate valve closure -wall to wall heart on CXR
When interpreting an ECG in a patient with a pacemaker, what does it mean to have “good capture”?
Should always check for good capture on an ECG in a patient with a pacemaker: -means that every time the pacemaker discharges (“spike” on ECG), there should be a subsequent QRS following each “spike”
What is the sequence of reading an ECG?
- Heart rate 2. Rhythm -Sinus: P before every QRS, upright P in leads II, III, and AVF 3. Axis -Look at lead I and AVL: upright? -Look at II, III, and AVF: upright? (overall: leads II, III and AVF are stickers on legs so if you see upright QRS, means that electrical impulse is moving towards the stickers on legs from above ie. the SA node so this means this is atrial impulse. If you see inverted QRS, means that the electrical impulse is coming from the ventricles moving away from the legs) 4. Look at PR and QRS intervals and compare to normal for age values 5. Look at precordial leads (V1-V6) for normal R wave progression -QRS should get bigger as you move from V1-V6 (since in older children, left ventricle is thicker than right ventricle so higher voltage) 6. Look at T wave in all leads -should always be upright in limb leads -in children < 10 yo, normal to have inverted T waves in V1-V6 -in children > 10 yo, should start to have upright T waves starting in V6 and moving towards V1 (can take up to 18 yo for T wave to become upright in all V1-V6 leads) 7. QTc calculation and compare to normal for age
What clinical features are seen in DiGeorge Syndrome?
CATCH-22 Deletion of chromosome 22q11
- Congenital heart defect (usually TOF)
- Abnormal facies
- Thymic aplasia
- Cleft palate
- Hypocalcemia
What are 2 things you MUST do prior to cardioverting an infant presenting with new SVT?
Since we don’t know how long infant has been in SVT for, may have developed heart failure or poor cardiac function; thus, may be rate dependent for cardiac output. With cardioversion and return to normal HR, may significantly decrease cardiac output and thus cause them to go into cardiogenic shock.
- Need to call Cardiology and PICU and be prepared for this circumstance in order to do cardioversion in controlled setting
- Need to put a 12 lead ECG or rhythm monitor on the patient
What is Beck’s triad?
Clinical features of cardiac tamponade:
- Hypotension
- Muffled heart sounds
- Distended neck veins
What is the underlying mutation in prolonged QT syndrome?
Mutations in cardiac potassium and sodium channels = ion channelopathies
What is the most common presenting symptom of LQTS in children?
Syncopal episode brought on by exercise, fright, or sudden startle -some occur during sleep (LQT type 3)
What is QTc? -What QTc is considered prolonged?
-QTc = QT interval (ventricular depolarization and repolarization) that is adjusted for heart rate differences -Prolonged = > 0. 440 (in infants < 6 mo, QTc up to 0.490 may be normal)
What is the significance of genetic testing in identifying prolonged QT syndrome?
Genotyping can identify mutation in ~75% of patients known to have LQTS by clinical criteria. -if negative, it does NOT mean that a patient does not have LQTS if they fit clinical criteria BUT it does help identify asymptomatic affected relatives of the index case
What is the treatment for prolonged QT syndrome?
- Beta blockers -if beta blockers cause significant bradycardia, may need pacemaker
- For patients who have had cardiac arrest, need implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD)
What other ECG features can be seen in prolonged QT syndrome? (3) -what are patients with prolonged QT syndrome at risk for? (2)
- Bradycardia
- Notched T waves
- T wave alternans (alternating upright and downgoing T waves)
- At risk for torsades de pointes and ventricular fibrillation
What is the underlying pathophysiology of Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome?
-how does circulation occur? -main problems resulting from abnormal circulation?
- Hypoplasia of left ventricle (secondary to atresia of the mitral orifice)
- Hypoplasia of ascending aorta (secondary to atresia of the aortic ortifice) **Remember: no flow, no grow
*Circulation: red blood (100% O2) from lungs –> LA cannot pass to LV and aorta –> passes through PFO or ASD –> RA and mixes with blue blood (60%) from SVC/IVC = 85% O2 –> RV –> pulmonary artery –> lungs and systemic circulation via PDA to descending aorta with blood flow retrograde to ascending aorta (to supply cerebral and upper extremity perfusion) and coronary arteries
-main problems:
- Increased pulmonary flow (from moderate or large ASD and all blood flowing into RA –> RV –> lungs)
- Pulmonary vein hypertension (from small ASD or restrictive PFO leading to backup of blood in LA and pulmonary vein)
- Inadequate maintenance of systemic circulation
What are the clinical features of hypoplastic left heart syndrome? (3)
- Increased pulmonary flow: can have pulmonary edema (crackles, wet lungs on CXR)
- Decreased systemic circulation: weak or absent pulses, cyanosis, shock once PDA starts closing
- Right ventricular volume overload: right ventricular parasternal lift
**typically present within 1st few hours or days of life
What 3 genetic syndromes can HLHS be seen in?
T, T, T
- Turners
- Trisomy 13
- Trisomy 18
What is seen on ECG of patients with HLHS?
- Right ventricular hypertrophy (due to volume overload)
- Prominent P waves (right atrial dilatation from volume overload)
- Reduced left sided signals
What is the association of central nervous system abnormalities with HLHS? -association of dysmorphic features?
30% of HLHS have major or minor central nervous system abnormalities
- 40% of HLHS have dysmorphic features
- thus, need genetics, neuro, ophtho assessment before surgery
What is the treatment for HLHS?
- Prostaglandin E1 to maintain PDA
- If ASD small- do catheter based septostomy
- manage pulmonary overload with diuretics
- Norwood procedure within 1st week…then eventually a Fontan
Describe the Norwood procedure. -stage 1 (commonly called the Norwood) -stage 2 -stage 3
Stage 1 (neonatal period): commonly referred to as the Norwood -atrial septectomy -attach the proximal pulmonary artery to the hypoplastic aortic arch with a patch to form a neoaorta to supply systemic circulation -Blalock-Taussig shunt connects the subclavian artery to the main pulmonary artery to increase total pulmonary blood flow and thus increases oxygen saturation to systemic circulation (decreases cyanosis) Stage 2 (2-6 mo of age): Glenn anastomosis -disconnect the SVC from the RA and connect it directly to the pulmonary arteries Stage 3 (2-3 yr of age: modified Fontan procedure -disconnect the IVC from the RA and connect it directly to the pulmonary arteries
Describe the circulation in HLHS post Norwood procedure.
Blue blood from SVC/IVC enters pulmonary artery directly –> passive flow to lungs –> LA –> ASD –> RA –> RV –> pulmonary artery –> neoaorta to systemic circulation
What are the common ductal-dependent cardiac lesions? -ductal dependent pulmonary blood flow (4)
-ductal dependent systemic blood flow (3)
Ductal dependent pulmonary blood flow:
- Critical pulmonary valve stenosis
- Pulmonary atresia
- TOF with severe pulmonary stenosis
- Tricuspid atresia with pulmonary stenosis or pulmonary atresia
Ductal dependent systemic blood flow:
- Coarctation of the aorta
- Hypoplastic left heart syndrome
- Interrupted aortic arch
What is the distribution of aortic stenosis in males vs. females?
More common in males (3:1)
What is the most common form of aortic stenosis and what is the pathophysiology?
Most common form: valvular aortic stenosis
-thickened aortic leaflets and commissures are fused -obstruction to LV blood flow = increased LV systolic pressure = LVH
What is the triad of Shone syndrome?
- Subvalvular aortic stenosis 2. Mitral stenosis 3. Coarctation of aorta
What are clinical features of Williams syndrome? (7) -what is the underlying genetic mutation?
- Supravalvular aortic stenosis 2. Developmental delay 3. Hypercalcemia 4. Elf face (prominent lips, abnormal teeth) 5. Hypothyroidism 6. Cocktail party personality 7. Joint hypermobility Genetic mutation: chromosome 7q11.23 (codes for elastin protein) Williams loves going to 7/11 to drink slurpees and socialize with his big lips
What are the clinical features of aortic stenosis? -murmur?
Think decreased left ventricular outtract flow and back up of blood into LA and lungs! -decreased cardiac output = decreased pulses, decreased urine output -left ventricular failure and pulmonary edema -murmur: early systolic ejection click at apex and left sternal edge with RUSB murmur radiating to neck (aortic arch)
What are findings on ECG of aortic stenosis?
- LVH 2. left heart strain (inverted T waves in left precordial leads)
What is the treatment for aortic stenosis? -what is a complication of untreated severe aortic stenosis?
Balloon valvuloplasty or surgery -untreated severe AS: sudden cardiac death especially during exercise
What are patients with bicuspid aortic valves at increased risk for developing?
Dilated ascending aorta -dissection and rupture are described in adult populations due to severe aortic root dilation but there is insufficient data to determine the risk in children (only isolated cases reported)
What is the triad of Holt-Oram syndrome?
- Hypoplastic or absent radii 2. 1st degree heart block 3. ASD
What is the difference between an ostium primum and ostium secundum?
Both are types of ASDs -ostium primum: defect is at center of the septum -ostium secundum: defect is inferior and is part of an AV canal defect and can involve tricuspid or mitral valve abnormalities
How do children with VSDs typically present? -large vs. small
Large VSD: signs of CHF usually appear at 4-8 wks of age when the pulmonary vascular resistance drops and pulmonary blood flow increases from L-R shunting Small VSD: spontaneous closure often occurs
What is the indication for closure of ASD? -when does it occur?
Secundum ASD associated with RV dilation (from volume overload) and increased pulmonary blood flow -repair occurs electively at 3-5 years of age
What are the clinical features of ASD?
Most children are asymptomatic -when they do have symptoms, you hear a fixed split S2
Why do you hear a fixed split S2 in ASD?
From RV volume overload and prolonged ejection of blood during systole leading to delayed pulmonary valve closure
What is the result of persistent increased pulmonary blood flow?
Pulmonary HTN
What is the pathophysiology behind congestive heart failure due to left to right shunting? -Eisenmenger
- Resp symptoms due to increased pulmonary blood flow and pulmonary edema 2. Increased left ventricular output since cardiac output to systemic circulation is decreased due to loss through the L to R shunt –> to maintain this output, have increased heart rate and stroke volume –> increased sympathetic nervous system activity –> increased catecholamines –> increased total body oxygen consumption, sweating, irritability and FTT –> remodeling of heart with dilatation and hypertrophy –> Eisenmenger (pulmonary hypertension with reversal of shunt from R-L)
What are characteristics of Still murmur? -location & quality -age group
Classic vibratory murmur -LLSB and apex -low-frequency vibratory “twanging string” -3-6 yo -turbulent flow out of LV -decreases in intensity with sitting
What are the characteristics of a pulmonary ejection murmur? -location & quality -age group
-ULSB -early to midsystolic murmur -crescendo-decrescendo -8-14 yo -from turbulence of blood flow into the pulmonary vein
What are the characteristics of a pulmonary flow murmur of newborn? (PPS) -location & quality -age group
-ULSB -transmits to axilla and back -premature and full-term newborns -disappears by 3-6 months of age -angulation or narrowing of peripheral pulmonary stenosis -heard usually during resolving URTI
What are the characteristics of a venous hum murmur? -location & quality -age group
Continuous, supraclavicular murmur -3-6 years old -from turbulence of flow in jugular venous system HENCE why you hear it best in the supraclavicular area -can decrease it by turning neck or compressing the jugular venous system in the neck *****ONLY INNOCENT MURMUR THAT WILL INCREASE WITH SITTING
What are the characteristics of a carotid bruit murmur?
Right supraclavicular areas and over carotids -any age
What does sitting up do to: -venous hum murmur -Still’s murmur
Venous hum: increases with sitting up Still’s: decreases with sitting up
What is the most common innocent murmur?
Still’s murmur = medium pitched, vibratory or musical systolic ejection murmur heard at the LLSB
What is pulsus alternans?
Pulsus alternans: beat to beat variability of pulse strength due to decreased left ventricular performance -seen in severe CHF
Describe the pathophysiology of pulsus paradoxus.
Fall in SBP > 10 mm Hg during inspiration -NORMALLY: when you take a breath, you increase intrathoracic negative pressure and increase venous return to the right side of the heart and lungs = this causes blood pooling in the lungs and thus decreased pulmonary venous blood flow = decreased blood return to LA = decreased cardiac output = SBP drops by no more than 10 mm Hg. Also more right heart filling impairs left heart filling and decreased stroke volume -IN PULSUS PARADOXUS: pressure is equalized between right heart and left heart = when right heart fills, pushes septum into left side of heart impairing filling since left heart cannot expand to accommodate blood flow with the constriction) = decreased stroke volume = drop in SBP > 10 mm Hg. Also can have increased negative thoracic pressure exerting a transmural load onto the LV and thus increases afterload, decreasing stroke volume
What are causes of pulsus paradoxus? (4)
- Pericardial tamponade 2. Constrictive pericarditis 3. Severe respiratory disease (status asthmaticus, pneumonia) 4. Myocardium diseases that affects wall compliance (amyloidosis)
What is the antidote for digoxin toxicity? -what if digibind is not available?
Digibind = digoxin-specific Fab antibody fragments = binds free digoxin in intravascular and interstitial space that forms inactive complex and then you pee it out -if not available, can use phenytoin or lidocaine to stabilize the myocardium and decrease ventricular irritability -atropine is helpful too -also use activated charcoal
How does Digoxin work? What are the signs and symptoms of digoxin toxicity? (5)
-Digoxin blocks the Na-K-ATPase pump = leads to movement of K from intracellular to extracellular and movement of Na and Ca into cells -increase of Ca in cardiac myocardial cells improves inotropy. Also decreases nodal conduction Digoxin toxicity: -bradycardia & heart block -nausea and vomiting -lethargy, confusion and weakness -HYPERKALEMIA!!!!! This is a big one! -pulsus bigeminus (2 heart beats close together followed by long pause)
Why should digoxin NEVER be given in WPW patient?
Digoxin decreases AV nodal conduction BUT can enhance cnoduction through a bypass tract THUS increasing chance of ventricular fibrillation
What connective tissue diseases may be associated with mitral valve prolapse? (3)
- Marfan syndrome 2. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome 3. Osteogenesis imperfecta
What is mitral valve prolapse? -physical exam finding? -treatment?
Abnormal mitral valve mechanism that causes billowing of one or both mitral valve leaflets into the LA at the end of systole -physical exam finding: apical murmur with a click -Minimal mitral valve prolapse can be a normal variant -Treatment: nothing!
What conditions are associated with the development of myocarditis? (3 broad classes)
- Infectious -bacterial: diphtheria, strep species, mycoplasma -viral: Coxsackie B (most common), HIV, echoviruses, rubella, adenovirus -fungal -protozoal: trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease), toxoplasmosis 2. Inflammatory -Kawasaki -SLE -RA -IBD 3. Chemical and physical agents -doxorubicin -radiation injury -lead -alcohol
What is Chagas disease? -clinical features (2) -what is Romana sign?
American trypanosomiasis infection -Romana sign (unilateral, painless, violaceous, palpebral edema accompanied by conjunctivitis) + CHF
What are the causes of a single S2? (6)
-Physical presence of only one semilunar valve: 1. Aortic atresia 2. Pulmonary atresia 3. Truncus arteriosus -P2 not audible: 4. Tetralogy of fallot (pulmonary stenosis) 5. Transposition of great arteries -A2 delayed: 6. Severe aortic stenosis
What is the cause of a loud P2?
Pulmonary hypertension since pulmonary valve is closing against pressure
Name the 4 cyanotic CHD with increased pulmonary blood flow?
-Single ventricle pathology 1. HLHS 2. Truncus arteriosus 3. Transposition of the great vessels 4. TAPVR without obstruction ***These cause cyanosis because of systemic and venous blood mixing
Name the 4 cyanotic CHD with decreased pulmonary blood flow?
- TOF 2. Pulmonary atresia 3. Tricuspid atresia 4. TAPVR ***These cause cyanosis because of obstruction to pulmonary blood flow