Cardiology Flashcards
Initial NSTEMI treatment
Aspirin (chewed/dispersed in water - alert if aspirin given before hospital),
Clopidogrel (ticagelor, prasugrel in some patients that have a PCI),
O2 (extra care needed if COPD),
Nitrates ( GTN sublingual then IV/Buccal or iso) and Morphine for pain
STEMI treatment
Initial = Aspirin (chewed/dispersed in water alert if aspirin given before hospital), Clopidogrel (ticagelor, prasugrel in some patients that have PCI),
O2 (extra care needed if COPD),
Nitrates ( GTN sublingual then IV/Buccal or iso) and Morphine for pain (antiemetic too)
PCI/thrombolytic drug (reperfusion therapy) to open artery, PCI preferred.
glycoprotein iib/iiia inhibitors can also be used e.g.abciximab, eptifibatide, and tirofiban to reduce occlusion
What beta blockers should be used if Left ventricular dysfunction
bisoprolol, carvedilol, metoprolol
What CCB to use if beta blockers are contraindicated in those with left ventricular dysfunction
Diltiazem and verapamil
What diuretic is used for left ventricular dysfunction heart failure
Epleronone
How to manage Von Willebrand Disease haemophilia
Desmopressin
what fibrinolytic (plasminogen activator) treats DVT
Streptokinase
What drug inhibits fibrinolysis
Tranexamic acid
what fibrinolytic (plasminogen activator) treats PE
Alteplase
Role of hydralazine
adjunct to other antihypertensives for resistant HT, hypertensive crisis, heart failure
Concerns with Thiazides in renal impairment
Not to be used below 30mL/minute/1.73 m2 (Metolazone can still be used)
Thiazide use in pregnancy and breastfeeding
Not to be used in pregnancy but alright in breastfeeding women
What are the side effects of minoxidil and how are risks reduced
Increasing cardiac output and fluid retention so needs to be given with beta blockers and diuretic, causes excessive hair growth too
What is methyldopa
a centrally acting antihypertensive, can be used in pregnancy
What is clonidine
a centrally acting antihypertensive
Aspirin’s cardiovascular uses
MI, CVD secondary prevention, AF, post CABG, strokes, and stent placement
Common clopidogrel side effects
Diarrhoea; gastrointestinal discomfort; haemorrhage; skin reactions
Long Term STEMI treatment
Dual antiplatelet therapy, Beta blocker, ACE, Statin
Length of clopidogrel treatment for NSTEMI
Initially 300 mg, then 75 mg daily for up to 12 months
Length of clopidogrel treatment for STEMI
Initially 300 mg, then 75 mg for at least 4 weeks. (if >75yo then 75mg)
Dipyradimole uses
An adjunct to oral anticoagulation to prevent thromboembolism associated with valve replacements, the MR version can be used in secondary prevention of strokes/TIA
When is DAPT needed
After PCI
DAPT combinations
Aspirin +cangrelor, clopidogrel, prasugrel, ticagrelor(unlicensed).
Aspirin used indefinitely
How long is aspirin used post-PCI
Indefinitely
How is clopidogrel used with bare metal stent
With Bare metal stent, clopidogrel used for at least a month
How long is clopidogrel used with a drug eluting stent
For drug eluting stent, clopidogrel used for at least 6 months ( typically 12 months)
Risk of re-endotheliasation if clopidogrel stopped prematurely in those with drug
Glucoprotein iib/iia inhibitors drugs
Abciximab, eptifibatide, tirofiban.
Glucoprotein iib/iia inhibitors use
Prevent platelet aggregation by blocking the binding of fibrinogen to receptors on platelets
Used to prevent ischemic complications , MI prevention
How is AF managed
controlling rate or rhythm control
When is electrocardioversion used
Life threatening insurances
When is rate control treatment preferred
If onset is more than 48 hours or there is uncertainty
What is preferred if there is structural heart disease in AF
Amiodarone
What drugs are used as urgent rate control
Beta blocker, verapamil
What form of AF treatment is preferred first
Rate
Rate control drugs
beta blockers(not sotalol), rate limiting CCB (diltiazem which is unlicensed, verapamil).
When is digoxin useful in AF treatment
Sedentary patients, and CHF
What happens if monotherapy treatment for AF fails
Combination of two drugs (beta blocker, digoxin and diltiazem) given, if this doesn’t work then rhythm-control is considered.
Rhythm control treatment
Beta blocker if not then antiarrhythmic e.g.sotalol, flecainide, propafenone, amiodarone, dronedarone
Amiodarone and cardioversion
Started 4 weeks before cardioversion and up to 12 months afterwards to maintain sinus rhythm
When are flecainide and propafenone contraindicated
If known ischaemic or structural heart disease and in paroxysmal AF
CHADSVASC and HAS-BLED are used to …
evaluate stroke and bleeding risk
CHADVASC risk factors
prior ischaemic stroke, transient ischaemic attacks, or thromboembolic events, heart failure, left ventricular systolic dysfunction, vascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, females, and patients over 65 years
When is oral anticoagulation offered in AF
In confirmed diagnosis in whom sinus rhythm has not been restored within 48 hours of onset or at high risk of AF recurrence e.g. structural heart disease, previous history of AF/cardioversion and when stroke risk outweighs bleeding risk
Atrial flutter treatment
Responds less well to drug treatment than AF
Direct current cardioversion is used and catheter ablation.
Flecainide and propafenone can be used
Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia treatment
With adenosine or verapamil, cardioversion, catheter ablation and prevented by usual suspects e.g. diltiazem beta blockers including sotalol
Treating bradycardia
IV dose of atropine. If risk of asystole give atropine/adrenalin
How to restore sinus rhythm
Direct current cardioversion given to restore sinus rhythm
Treating sustained ventricular tachycardia
Amiodarone if haemodynamically stable
Cause of torsade de pointes
Often drug induced or caused by hypokalemia, severe bradycardia and genetics.
Result of torsade de pointes
self limiting but can result in impairment and loss of consciousness
Drugs that act on supraventricular arrhythmias:
Verapamil (adenosine can be used against paroxymal SVT due to its short action)
Drugs acting on supraventricular and ventricular:
Amiodarone, beta blockers, flecainide, propafenone
What arrhythmia can lidocaine potentially treat
Ventricular
Digoxin and ventricular
Digoxin lows ventricular response in AF and atrial flutter
Amiodarone characteristics
It has a very long half-life. Weeks or months needed to achieve steady state.
Sotalol is used in what arrhythmias
Sotalol used in management of ventricular arrhythmias
Nitrates and tolerance and what to do
Many patients on long-acting or transdermal nitrates rapidly develop tolerance (with reduced therapeutic effects). Reduction of blood-nitrate concentrations to low levels for 4 to 12 hours each day usually maintains effectiveness in such patients.
Statins and pregnancy
Statins should be avoided in pregnancy (discontinue 3 months before attempting to conceive) as congenital anomalies have been reported and the decreased synthesis of cholesterol possibly affects fetal development.
Statin Mechanism of Action
Inhibit HMG COA reductase
When do GTN tablets expire
8 weeks
Nicorandil class
Potassium channel activator
Nicorandil indication
Prevention and long term treatment of angina
Notable nicorandil side effects
ulceration
Ivabadrine effect and indication
lowers heart rate used in angina and CHF
Where do beta blockers act
Heart, peripheral vasculature, bronchi, pancreas and liver
What is intrinsic sympathomimetic activity (ISA/Partial agonist activity)
Capacity of beta-blockers to stimulate and block adrenergic activity
What beta blockers have ISA
Celiprolol, pindolol, acebutolol and oxprenolol (CAPO)
What is the advantage of ISA activity
Less bradycardia and coldness of extremities
Advantage of water soluble beta blockers
Less likely to enter brain and cause sleep disturbance/nightmare
Name water soluble beta blockers
Sotalol, Atenolol, Nadolol and Celiprolol - SANC
Disadvantage of water soluble beta blockers
Excreted by kidneys so dose reduction may be needed in renal impairment
What beta-blockers have OD regimen/ long duration of action
Atenolol, bisoprolol, celiprolol, nadolol - BANC
Who are beta-blockers contraindicated in
2nd/3rd degree heart block, unstable heart failure, Asthma, COPD
What beta blockers have arteriolar vasodilating action
Labetalol, celiprolol, carvedilol and nebivolol