Cardiology Flashcards
What is hereditary hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?
Autosomal dominant condition = massive left ventricular hypertrophy –> diastolic dysfunction –> sub aortic stenosis. Causes ventricular arrhythmias particularly in young athletes.
What are the risk factors for AAA (and which one carries the most risk) ? (5)
SMOKING, Hypertension, family history, increasing age, male gender
What is the most common cause of right sided heart failure?
Left sided heart failure ( Ischemia, hypertension, dilated cardiomyopathy, restrictive cardiomyopathy)
A ECG has tall QRS complexes across it and high amplitude R waves on the left leads - what is most likley to be the cause?
Left ventricular Hypertrophy.
What ECG changes are associated with pericarditis?
PR segment depression and widespread ST elevation with reciprocal changes in aVR
Can also have sinus tachycardia due to pain.
As well as flattened T waves in the first 3 weeks.
Which of the valves is most likely to be affected in infective endocarditis?
Tricuspid valve - likely to get tricuspid regurgitation. Because the infective organism is most likely to enter through the right atrium therefore the tricuspid valve is the first valve it meets.
What are the differential diagnoses of pleuritic chest pain? (11)
Aortic Dissection Pneumothorax Pleural Effusion Pneumonia Pericarditis (cardiomegaly) Pulmonary Embolism MI Viral Pleurisy Costochondritis Muscle sprain/strain Fracture
A patient presents with pleuritic chest pain what would be the next steps in getting a diagnosis?
Bloods - troponin, D-dimer
CT chest
ECG
A pansystolic murmur heard best at the lower sternal border and apex following a LAD infarct is indicative of what condition?
Ventricular Septal Defect
In the majority of the population which artery supplies the AV node?
Right coronary artery - AVN branch
Less common artery is the left circumflex branch
What is the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease?
Endothelial cells - unusual adhesion molecules appear
Macrophages are attracted and LDL accumulates
Macrophages take up the oxidised LDL = foam cells
The foam cells die and release their lipid core
Cytokines and Growth factor (PDGF) are released which causes smooth muscle proliferation in order to repair it.
What is the difference between stable and unstable angina - Symptoms?
Stable = chest pain that goes on rest and is only brought on exertion Unstable = chest pain that comes on at rest and is brought on spontaneously.
What is the difference between stable and unstable angina - Pathophysiology?
stable = Smooth muscle cells are in repair function Unstable = inflammation is worse than the repair can do so the fibrous cap becomes weak and vulnerable to becoming a thrombus.
What 6 drugs can be used as secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease to prevent an acute coronary event?
ACEI Aspirin Clopidogrel B-blocker Omega 3 Statin
What are the 3 forms of cardiovascular disease?
Coronary heart disease - angina
Cerebrovascular disease
Peripheral vascular disease
What needs to be present to be defined as a MI?
Troponin rise (99th percentile) (falls can actually occur)
And
Symptoms of ischaemia
ECG changes - ST change, LBBB, T wave change, pathological Q waves
What are the clinical features of STEMI/NSTEMI/Unstable angina?
All similar
Chest pain - jaw, arms and back (over 15 mins)
Nausea and vomiting
Sweating
Dyspnoea
Upper abdominal pain (women and elderly)
Not relieved by GTN
What is the immediate action for a possible MI?
ECG Morphine Oxygen (if sats low) Nitrates Aspirin
What is the difference in terms of pathology between a STEMI and a NSTEMI?
STEMI = complete occlusion of carotid artery resulting in immediate myocardial death NSTEMI = Partial occlusion of a carotid artery
A ECG for possible MI has ST elevation in V1-V4. What area of the heart is this and what artery is most likely to be occluded?
Anterior - Left anterior descending artery
A ECG for possible MI has ST elevation in II, III, AvF. What area of the heart is this and what artery is most likely to be occluded?
Inferior - Right coronary artery
A ECG for possible MI has ST elevation in I, AvL, V5-6. What area of the heart is this and what artery is most likely to be occluded?
Anterolateral - circumflex
A ECG for possible MI has ST elevation in I, AvL, V2-6. What area of the heart is this and what artery is most likely to be occluded?
Anterior - extensive = Left coronary artery
A ECG for possible MI has tall R waves in V1-3. What area of the heart is this and what artery is most likely to be occluded?
Posterior - right coronary artery
What are the first and second line management of a MI (after MONA) and what are the possible side effects?
1st line = Primary PCI - has to be done within 12 hrs of symptom onset
2nd line = Thrombolysis - increased risk of bleeding and some may need a rescue angioplasty
What is the management of NSTEMI’s?
Beta-blockade (HR to be around 50-60)
ACEI
Atorvastatin
- if medium/high risk then angioplasty within 96 hrs
What is the Grace score?
The mortality risk for up to 6 months after a NSTEMI
How is unstable angina diagnosed?
Absence of a high troponin and a normal ECG
What is the treatment of unstable angina?
Beta-blockade (HR to be around 50-60)
ACEI
Atorvastatin
What are risk factors for AF?
Increased age Increased BP DMII Obesity Smoking Sleep apnoea CAD Valve disease CKD
What are possible reversible causes of AF?
ETOH, Hyperthyroidism, electrolyte abnormalities, sepsis
How may AF present?
Mostly asymptomatically
Acute - palpitations, syncope, chest pain, dyspnoea
What is the main finding of AF - on a ECG?
Irregularly irregular pulse
No P waves
Irregular QRS but normal shape
What investigations may be carried out for a patient with AF?
ECG
Bloods - U+Es, TFT, troponin, CMP (calcium, magnesium, phosphate)
How would you treat acute AF (under 48hrs)?
Treat underlying cause
Anti-coagulate (patient dependent)
DC or drug cardioversion
How would you treat chronic AF?
Underlying cause, ECHO, Control ventricular rate
B-blocker or non-dihydropyridine CCB (verampil)
+digoxin or amiodarone (2nd line)
Anti-coagulate - CHADS-VASc and HASBLED
- apixaban (1st line)
- Dabigatran (2nd line)
What is the mechanism of apixiban?
Factor Xa inhibitor