Cardiology Flashcards
What is the most common cardiological problem / presenting feature in children?
A MURMUR
Are most murmurs concerning?
Most murmurs are completely innocent
What percentage of children will have an innocent murmur at some point during their childhood?
30%
What are some features that will make a murmur reassuring?
THE S FACTORS
- Systolic (commonly ejection systolic) - no diastolic murmur present
- Soft, blowing murmur
- aSymptomatic patient
- Left sternal edge
***these are all factors that would reassure you to a murmur being innocent
Extra re-assuring factors:
- Normal heart sounds with no added sounds
- No parasternal thrill
- No radiation
What are some causes of innocent murmurs?
Mostly the murmurs are idiopathic and we don’t identify a cause. Organic causes include:
- FEBRILE ILLNESS
- ANAEMIA
***theory behind these aetiologies is just that they increase CO so theoretically any pathology that increases CO could cause murmur
What should you do if you hear a murmur? Next step…
Even if convinced murmur is innocent then document your findings and discuss them with parents - reassure them that it is very unlikely to mean the child has anything wrong with their heart
If there are ANY concerning features or parents / you are concerned for any reason then refer to PAEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY (paeds cons with special interest)
How do we investigate murmurs to rule out pathology?
ECG
CXR
Echocardiogram - gold standard
What are the four cardinal features of TOF?
Overridng aorta
VSD
Pulmonary stenosis
RVH
How is TOF identified?
Nowadays usually antenatally or following identification of a murmur in the first 2/12
If not there might be severe CYANOSIS in the first few days of life
What symptomatic features of TOF can you see?
Severe CYANOSIS, breathlessness, pallor caused by exercise/crying and relieved by squatting
What might you find o/e in TOF?
Might find soft murmur during tet spell
May have clubbing
LOUD, HARSH EJECTION SYSTOLIC MURMUR at Left sternal edge
What investigations should you do if suspecting TOF?
CXR, Echo and ECG
What changes might you see on a CXR in TOF?
BOOT SHAPE (uplifted apex due to RVH) and pulmonary artery ‘BAY’ - concavity at L border due to pulmonary stenosis
How should a tet spell be managed?
oxygen sedation and pain relief (morphine) IV propanolol - perisperhal vasoconstrictor IV fluids Bicarbonate to correct acidosis
When will definitive surgery for TOF be offered and what will it involve?
At 6 months and will involve closure of the VSD and relieving of the right ventricular outflow tract
A surgery can be offered in the neonatal period as well in severe cases - SHUNT between the subclavian and pulmonary arteries to improve blood flow to the lungs
What is transposition of the great arteries (TGA)?
When the pulmonary artery connects to the LV and the aorta to the RV forming two closed circulations
INCOMPATIBLE WITH LIFE UNLESS there is a defect that stays open (VSD)
How and when does TGA present?
Profound cyanosis
Usually presents around day 2 of life as the DA starts to close and there is reduction in blood mixing
What clinical signs might we be able to hear on TGA?
Second heart sound often loud and single
Usually no murmur but might be one associated with increased pressure through pulmonary artery
What three investigations should be done for TGA?
CXR, Echo and ECG