Cardiology Flashcards
What is atherosclerosis?
A combination of fatty deposits (plaque) in the artery walls and the hardening of the walls
Which blood vessels does atherosclerosis affect?
The medium and large arteries
What causes atherosclerosis?
Chronic inflammation and activation of the immune system in the artery wall.
What can atherosclerotic plaques cause?
Stiffening of artery walls–> leading to hypertension
Stenosis–> reduced blood flow (angina)
Plaque rupture–> may give off a thrombus that leads to ischeamia
What are the non-modifiable risk factors for athersclerosis?
Age
Family history
Male
What are the modifiable risk factors?
Smoking Alcohol consumption Poor diet Low exercise Obesity Poor sleep Stress
What co-morbidities increase the risk of atherosclerosis?
Diabetes Hypertension Chronic kidney disease Inflammatory conditions Atypical antipsychotic medication
What are the end results of atherosclerosis?
Angina MI Transient ischaemic attacks Stroke Peripheral vascular disease Mesenteric ischaemia
What is secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease?
Trying to prevent another attack in those who have had angina, MI, TIA, stroke or peripheral vascular disease
What algorithm calculates the percentage risk of a patient having cardiovascular disease in the next 10 years?
QRISK 3 score
What should happen if a patient has a >10% risk of stroke/ heart attack in the next 10 years according to their QRISK 3 score?
They should be offered a statin (e.g. atorvastatin 20mg)
Who other than those identified at risk should be offered a statin?
Patients with chronic kidney disease of Type 1 diabetes for >10 years
What are the 4 A’s of secondary cardiovascular disease prevention?
Aspirin
Atorvastatin (80mg)
Atenolol (or other beta-block)
ACE0 inhibitor
What are the main side effects of statins?
Myopathy
Type 2 diabetes
Heamorrhagic strokes
What is angina?
A narrowing of the coronary arteries, reducing blood flow to the myocardium
What are the main symptoms of angina?
Constricting chest pain
Radiating pain to jaw or arms
(usually worse during times of high demand e.g. exercise)
When is angina classed as ‘stable’?
When symptoms are always relieved by rest or GTN.
When is angina unstable?
When the symptoms come on randomly while at rest (ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROME)
What are the main investigations into angina?
CT Coronary Angiography Physical exam ECG FBC, U&E's LFTs Lipid profile Thyroid function tests and HbA1C
What is CT coronary angiography?
Contrast is injected and CT images are taken in time with the heart beat to give a detailed view of the coronary arteries.
What are the four principles of management of angina?
RAMP Refer to cardiology Advise them about diagnosis and management Medical treatment Procedural or surgical interventions
What are the three main aims to medical management of angina?
Immediate symptomatic relief
Long term symptomatic relief
Secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease
What is used for immediate symptomatic relief of stable angina?
GTN spray (take it then repeat after 5 minutes. If pain persists, call ambulance)
What does GTN spray do?
Causes vasodilation to help relieve symptoms of angina.
What is used for long term symptomatic relief of stable angina?
Beta blocker
Calcium channel blockers
(can be just one or both if needed)
What are the main procedural/ surgical interventions for treatment of angina?
- Percutaneous coronary intervention with coronary angioplasty
- Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)
What is PCI?
Percutaneous coronary intervention with coronary angioplasty involves dilating the blood vessel with a balloon and/or inserting a stent.
What is CABG surgery?
Coronary artery bypass graft: A graft vein from the patients leg is taking and sewn onto the affected coronary artery to bypass the stenosis.
What is acute coronary syndrome?
Range of conditions associated with sudden, reduced blood flow to the heart.
What causes acute coronary syndrome?
The result of a thrombus from an atherosclerotic plaque blocking a coronary artery.
What is the main treatment of acute coronary syndrome?
Anti-platelet medications (e.g. aspirin, clopidogrel and ticagrelor)
Why are anti-platelets used in the treatment of acute coronary syndrome?
When a thrombus forms in a fast flowing artery, it is made up mostly of platelets.
What does the left coronary artery branch into?
The circumflex and Left anterior descending (LAD)
What does the right coronary artery supply?
Right atrium and ventricle
Inferior aspect of left ventricle
Posterior septal area
What does the circumflex artery supply?
Left atrium
Posterior aspect of left ventricle
What does the LAD supply?
Anterior aspect of left ventricle
Anterior aspect of septum
What are the 3 types of acute coronary syndrome?
- Unstable angina
- ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)
- Non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI)
How should a diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome be made?
If a patient comes in with potential symptoms, perform an ECG:
- If there is ST elevation, it is a STEMI
- If there is no ST elevation, perform troponin blood tests
What do troponin blood tests diagnose?
- If there are raised troponin levels/ other ECG changes= NSTEMI
- If troponin levels are normal and the ECG is normal= Unstable angina or other cause
What are the main symptoms of unstable angina?
Central, constricting chest pain Nausea/ vomiting Sweating Feeling of impending doom Shortness of breath Palpitations Pain radiating to jaw/ arms
What ECG changes are seen in a STEMI?
ST segment elevation (in leads consistent with an area of ischaemia)
New left bundle branch block
What ECG changes are seen in an NSTEMI?
ST segment depression
Deep T wave inversion
Pathological Q waves
What are troponins?
Proteins found in cardiac muscle
What investigations would be done to diagnose acute coronary artery disease?
Same as stable angina + Chest X-ray, Echocardiogram, CT coronary angiogram
What is the treatment of an acute STEMI?
Primary PCI (if available within 2 hours of presentation) Thrombolysis (If PCI not available)
What does thrombolysis treatment involve?
Injecting a fibrinolytic medication that rapidly dissolves clots
Why is thrombolytic medication not the first choice?
Significant risk of bleeding
How is an acute NSTEMI treated?
BATMAN: Beta blockers Aspirin Ticagrelor (blood thinner) Morphine Anticoagulant (LMW Heparin) Nitrates (GTN)
What is the difference between a STEMI and NSTEMI?
A STEMI (ST-elevation myocardial infarction) is caused by a sudden complete (100 percent) blockage of a coronary artery. A non-STEMI is usually caused by a severely narrowed artery but the artery is usually not completely blocked.
What is used to assess for PCI in NSTEMI?
GRACE score: gives a 6 month risk of death or repeat MRI. 5-10%= medium risk, >10%= High risk both of which would be considered
What are the complications of heart failure? (DREAD)
Death Rupture (of heart septum of papillary muscles) Edema (Heart failure) Arrhythmia/ aneurysm Dressler's syndrome
What is Dressler’s syndrome?
Post-myocardial infarction sydrome: Pericarditis caused by an immune system response after damage to heart tissue or pericardium
When does Dressler’s syndrome usually occur?
Around 2-3 weeks after an MI
What are the presentations of Dressler’s syndrome?
Pleuritic chest pain
Low grade fever
Pericardial rub on auscultation
Can cause pericardial effusion or tamponade.
How can Dressler’s syndrome by diagnosed?
With ECG, echo and raised inflammatory markers
How is Dressler’s syndrome managed?
With NSAIDS (aspirin/ ibuprofen) and in severe cases steroids May need pericardiocentesis to remove fluid from around the heart.
What is the secondary prevention medical management of acute coronary syndrome?
6 A's: Asprin (75mg o.d) Another antiplatelet (e.g. clopidogrel, ticagrelor) Atorvastatin (80mg o.d) ACE inhibitors Atenolol (B blocker) Aldosterone antagonist
What is acute left ventricular failure?
When the left ventricle is unable to move blood through the left side of the heart and into the body, causing a backlog of blood in the left atrium, pulmonary veins and lungs.
What are the main triggers of acute LVF?
Latrogenic (e.g. Lots of IV fluid in elderly patient with impaired LV function)
Sepsis
Myocardial infarction
Arrhythmias
What is the main presentation of acute LVF?
Rapid onset breathlessness (exacerbated by lying flat)
What type of respiratory failure does acute LVF cause?
Type 1 respiratory failure–> low oxygen without an increase in CO2 in the blood
What are the main symptoms of acute LVF?
Shortness of breath
Looking/ feeling unwell
Cough
What signs would be found on examination of acute LVF?
Increased respiratory rate Reduced oxygen saturations Tachycardia 3rd heart sound Bilateral basal crackles (Hypotension in severe cases)
What would be found if the patient has right sided heart failure as well as LVF?
Raised jugular venous pressure (caused by a backlog)
Peripheral oedema
What investigations would be done to look into LVF?
ECG
ABG
Chest X ray
Bloods: Routine, kidney function, BNP and troponin
What is the BNP blood test?
B-type Natriuretic peptide (BNP)= hormone released from the heart ventricles when the myocardium is stretched beyond the normal range. A high results can indicate that the heart is overloaded.
What is the action of BNP?
Relax the smooth muscle in blood vessels, reducing systemic vascular resistance.
Also acts as a diuretic on the kidneys to reduce the circulating blood volume.
What are causes of raised BNP other than heart failure?
Tachycardia Sepsis Pulmonary embolism Renal impairment COPD
What is the main measure of left ventricular function and what is a normal result?
Ejection fraction >50%
What is cardiomegaly (on a CXR)?
Cardiothoracic ratio > 0.5–> When the diameter of the widest part of the heart is more than half the diameter of the widest part of the lung fields
What things might be seen on a chest Xray that would indicate LVF?
Cardiomegaly
Upper lobe venous diversion
If fluid is leaking:
Bilateral pleural effusions
Fluid in interlobar fissures
What is upper lobe venous diversion?
Usually the lower lobe veins contain more blood and the upper lobe veins remain relatively small.
When there is such a back-pressure that the upper lobe veins fill with blood and become engorged, it becomes visible as increased prominence and diameter of upper lobe vessels on a chest X-ray.
What is the management of acute LVF?
Pour SOD:
Pour away (stop) IV fluids
Sit up
Oxygen
Diuretics
What does the backlog of blood in the LA, pulmonary veins and lungs cause?
Fluid leakage and they are unable to reabsorb fluid from surrounding tissues:
Pulmonary oedema
What is pulmonary oedema?
When the lung tissues and alveoli become full of interstitial fluid
What does pulmonary oedema cause?
Interferes with normal gas exchange, causing shortness of breath and oxygen desaturation
Why are diuretics given in LVF treatment?
They reduce the circulating volume and means the heart is less overloaded, allowing it to pump more effectively.
What is chronic heart failure?
Ongoing inability of the heart to pump enough blood through the body to ensure a sufficient supply of oxygen
What is systolic heart failure?
Impaired left ventricular contraction
What is diastolic heart failure?
Impaired left ventricular contraction
What is the cause of chronic heart failure?
Impaired left ventricular failure (either systolic or diastolic) resulting in a chronic back-pressure of blood trying to flow into/through the left side of the heart.
What are the key presentations of chronic heart failure?
Breathlessness (worsened by exertion) Cough (may produce frothy white/ pink sputum) Orthopnoea Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea Peripheral oedema (swollen ankles)
What is orthopnoea?
The sensation of shortness of breath when lying flat, which is relieved by sitting or standing
What is Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnoea (PND)?
Sudden waking at night with a sever attack of shortness of breath or cough
How is chronic heart failure diagnosed?
Clinical presentation
BNP blood test
Echocardiogram
ECG
What are the main causes of chronic heart disease?
Ischaemic heart disease
Valvular heart disease (e.g. aortic stenosis)
Hypertension
Arrhythmias (e.g. atrial fibrillation)
What is the first line medical treatment in chronic heart failure?
ABAL: ACE inhibitor Beta blocker Aldosterone antagonist (when symptoms not controlled by first two) Loop diuretics
What can be used instead of an ACE inhibitor is they are not tolerated?
Angiotensin Receptor Blocker (ARB)
What is Cor pulmonale?
Right sided heart failure caused by respiratory disease
What causes Cor pulmonale?
The increased pressure and resistance in the pulmonary arteries (pulmonary hypertension) results in the right ventricle being unable to effectively pump blood out of the ventricle and into the pulmonary arteries.
Where does back pressure of blood occur in Cor pulmonale?
Right atrium
Vena cava
Systemic venous system
What are the main causes of Cor pulmonale? (most common?)
COPD= most common: low oxygen levels cause pulmonary hypertension Pulmonary embolism Interstitial lung disease Cystic fibrosis Primary pulmonary hypertension
What is primary pulmonary hypertension?
A rare lung disorder in which the blood vessels in the lungs narrow and the pressure in the pulmonary artery rises far above normal levels
How does interstitial lung disease cause right sided heart failure?
ILD= Group of diseases that cause scarring (fibrosis) of the lungs. The scarring causes stiffness in the lungs which makes it difficult to breathe and get oxygen to the bloodstream. In people who have pulmonary hypertension, changes in the small blood vessels inside the lungs can lead to increased blood pressure in the right side of the heart.
What are the main presentations of cor pulmonare?
Early= usually asymptomatic. Shortness of breath Peripheral oedema Syncope Chest pain
What are some signs of cor pulmonale?
Hypoxia Cyanosis Raised JVP Peripheral oedema Third heart sound Murmers Hepatomegaly
How is Cor pulmonare treated?
Treating symptoms and underlying cause.
Long term oxygen therapy is often used.
How is a diagnosis of hypertension made?
Clinic blood pressure taken. If between 140/90 and 180/20 should have ambulatory or home reading to confirm.
What is ambulatory blood pressure monitoring?
Blood pressure is tested automatically every 30 minutes over a 24-hour period using a cuff attached to a portable device worn on your waist.
What is essential hypertension?
Primary hypertension: developed on its own with no secondary cause
What percentage of hypertension cases are primary?
95%
What are the secondary causes of hypertension?
ROPE: Renal disease Obesity Pregnancy (pre-eclampsia) Endocrine conditions