Cardiology Flashcards
Patients with heart failure are most at risk of which two types of infection?
- Chest infections
2. Ulcerated cellulitis of the lower limbs
What 4 drugs/ drug classes have an evidence base for improving mortality in patients with chronic heart failure?
- ACE inhibitors
- Spironolactone
- Beta-blockers
- Hydralazine with nitrates
What is the first line treatment for all patients with chronic heart failure?
ACE inhibitor + a Beta-blocker
When is sacubitril- valsartan indicated in the treatment of chronic heart failure?
In patients with a reduced ejection fraction who are symptomatic on an ACE inhibitor
Name 3 beta-blockers licensed in the UK for the treatment of heart failure
- Bisoprolol
- Carvedilol
- Nebivolol
Though most patients with heart failure only require a one off pneumococcal vaccination, give 3 concurrent conditions that would require the patient to receive booster vaccinations every 5 years
- Asplenia
- Splenic dysfunction
- Chronic kidney disease
Simply contrast the pathophysiology of systolic and diastolic heart failure respectively
Systolic - Impaired contraction of the LV
Diastolic - Impaired relaxation of the LV
A productive cough in heart failure is associated with what type of sputum?
Frothy white/pink sputum
What are the 5 classical presenting features of patients with chronic heart failure?
- SOB that is worse on exertion
- Cough
- Orthopnoea
- PND
- Peripheral oedema
What are the 4 main categories of pathology that can lead to heart failure?
- Ischaemic heart disease
- Valvular heart disease e.g. aortic stenosis
- Hypertension
- Arrhythmias
According to NICE guidelines what BNP level requires an urgent specialist referral for patients with heart failure?
BNP > 2000
Name a patient cohort for which ACE inhibitors should NOT be prescribed for the treatment of heart failure
Patients with established valvular heart disease
Pulmonary hypertension is most commonly associated with what abnormal heart sound?
Loud S2
What pathologies causes a soft S2 heart sound?
Aortic stenosis
Name 4 potential causes of a widely split S2 heart sound
- RBBB
- Deep inspiration
- Pulmonary stenosis
- Severe mitral regurgitation
What is the normal PR interval range?
0.12 -0.21 seconds
Suggest 4 potential causes of sinus bradycardia
- Athletic physiology
- Acute MI
- Sick sinus syndrome
- Beta - blockers
Name 3 non-cardiac disorders which can lead to sinus bradycardia
- Myxoedema
- Jaundice
- Raised ICP
What is the most common form of cardiomyopathy?
Dilated cardiomyopathy
Suggest 4 infections that can lead to myocarditis
- Coxsackie B
- HIV
- Diphtheria
- Chagas disease
Name 2 substances of abuse that can potentially cause dilated cardiomyopathy
- Alcohol
2. Cocaine
Name a genetic syndrome associated with increased incidence of dilated cardiomyopathy
Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Name 2 infiltrative diseases that can potentially cause dilated cardiomyopathy
- Haemochromatosis
2. Sarcoidosis
Why can a systolic murmur sometimes develop in cases of dilated cardiomyopathy?
Stretching of the valves may lead to mitral and tricuspid regurgitation
What is the most common cause of sudden cardiac death in the young?
HOCM - Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy
What is the most common murmur associated with HOCM?
Ejection systolic murmur
Name 2 other conditions that HOCM is commonly associated with
- Friederich’s ataxia
2. Wolff-Parkinson White syndrome
Using the mnemonic ‘MR SAM ASH’ , what are the echo findings associated with HOCM?
- Mitral regurgitation (MR)
- Systolic anterior motion (SAM)
- Asymmetric hypertrophy (ASH)
What is the triad of clinical pathologies seen in Naxos disease?
- ARVC - Arythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy
- Palmoplantar keritosis
- Woolly hair
Define syncope
Transient loss of consciousness due to global cerebral hypo perfusion
What are the 3 broad categories of syncope to consider on presentation?
- Reflex
- Orthostatic
- Cardiac
Give 2 potential causes of primary autonomic failure which may lead to orthostatic syncope
- Parkinson’s disease
2. Lewy body dementia
Give 3 potential causes of secondary autonomic failure which may lead to orthostatic syncope
- Diabetic neuropathy
- Amyloidosis
- Uremia
Name 3 drug-induced causes of orthostatic syncope
- Diuretics
- Alcohol
- Vasodilators
Name the potential non cardiac cause of cardiac syncope
PE
Suggest 3 structural causes of cardiac syncope
- Valvular abnormalities
- MI
- Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM)
Give 8 potential causes of a RBBB
- Normal variant (becomes more common with increasing age)
- Right ventricular hypertrophy
- Cor pulmonale (or other causes of chronically increased high ventricular pressure)
- PE
- MI
- Atrial septal defect
- Cardiomyopathy
- Myocarditis
What are the two main cardiac complications of myotonic dystrophy?
- Heart block
2. Cardiomyopathy
What 3 pathologies can lead to an S3 heart sound?
- Left ventricular failure e.g. due to dilated cardiomyopathy
- Constrictive pericarditis
- Mitral regurgitation
Name 3 conditions in which an S4 heart sound may be heard
- Aortic stenosis
- HOCM
- Hypertension
What causes the S4 added heart sound?
Atrial contraction against a stiffened ventricle
What are the 4 most common causes of decompensated acute heart failure
- Acute coronary syndrome
- Hypertensive crisis
- Acute arrhythmia
- Valvular disease
Define de-novo acute heart failure
Acute heart failure occurring without any prior history of heart failure
Suggest 4 causes of de-novo acute heart failure
- Ischaemia
- Viral myopathy
- Toxins
- Valve dysfunction
List the 5 potential causes of an ejection systolic murmur
- Aortic stenosis
- Pulmonary stenosis
- Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy
- Atrial septal defect
- Tetralogy of Fallot
List the 3 potential causes of a pan systolic murmur
- Mitral regurgitation
- Tricuspide regurgitation
- Ventricular septal defect