Cardiology cases Flashcards
Consultation - what are the symptoms of aortic regurgitation?
Asymptomatic for a long time
Severe symptomatic AR - exertional dyspnoea, angina, heart failure symptoms (orthopnoea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea, ,pulmonary oedema).
What examination features would you expect to see in aortic regurgitation?
Water hammer/collapsing pulse
de Musset sign - head bobbing with each heartbeat
Quincke pulses - capillary pulsations in fingertips
Lateral displacement of the apical heart beat
Thrill at sternal notch
Early diastolic murmur, soft S1, variable S2, S3 with severely depressed LV function
Given the findings of blowing early diastolic murmur and collapsing pulse what is your preferred diagnosis and differentials?
Aortic regurgitation
Due to aortic root dilation, congenital bicuspid aortic valve, calcific valve disease, rheumatic heart disease.
DDx:
Pulmonary regurgitation
Mitral stenosis
How would you investigate for aortic regurgitation?
ECG
Echocardiogram
Cardiovascular MR imaging to evaluate moderate or severe AR with suboptimal echo
What is aortic regurgitation?
Inadequate closure of the aortic valve leaflets.
How would you manage a patient with aortic regurgitation?
If symptomatic or asymptomatic with LV dysfunction - surgery. Can be surgical replacement or transcatheter implantation.
If not candidate for surgery - medical treatment for HFrEF - diuretics, ACEi.
Manage hypertension.
What are the complications of aortic regurgitation?
Reduced LVEF with heart failure symptoms.
What is the prognosis of aortic regurgitation?
Evolves slowly with long asymptomatic compensated phase but can progress to severe AR with LV dilation and heart failure.
Mortality if severe symptoms is 25% if NYHA class III/IV.
Consultation - what are the symptoms of aortic stenosis?
Classic symptoms (represent end-stage disease) - heart failure, syncope, angina.
Earlier symptoms - dyspnoea on exertion/decreased exercise tolerance, exertional syncope/pre-syncope, exertional angina.
What examination features would you expect to see in aortic stenosis?
Low volume, slow-rising carotid pulse
Ejection systolic murmur
Single second heart sound
Given the findings of ejection systolic murmur and slow rising pulse what is your preferred diagnosis and differentials?
Aortic stenosis
Due to: congenitally abnormal valve, calcific disease of a trileaflet valve, rheumatic valve disease.
DDx:
Aortic sclerosis
Pulmonary stenosis
Cardiomyopathy
How would you investigate for aortic stenosis?
ECG
Echocardiography - diagnose and assess severity. Stage A = asymptomatic with transvalvular aortic velocity <2m/s. Stage B = murmur but no symptoms, VMAX 2.0-2.9 m/s. Stage C = no symptoms but VMAX >4m/s, valve area <1cm^2. Stage D = as C but with symptoms.
What is aortic stenosis?
Aortic valve thickening causing left ventricular outflow obstruction causing antegrade velocity across valve >2m/s.
How would you manage a patient with aortic stenosis?
Valve replacement if symptoms or severe or LVEF. TAVI or surgical replacement.
Asymptomatic - statins, hypertension management, avoid strenuous physical activity, treat AF, medical management of HFrEF.
What is the prognosis of aortic stenosis?
Variable progression in non treated disease.
Symptomatic without valve replacement = mortality high if cardiac symptoms. Heart failure = 0.5-3 years survival. Syncope = 1-4 years survival. Angina = 2-5 years.
What are the complications of aortic stenosis?
Heart failure
pulmonary hypertension
Sudden cardiac death
Arrhythmias
Endocarditis
Bleeding tendency
Embolic events
Consultation - what are the symptoms of aortic valve replacement?
Subtle symptoms of heart failure -
What examination features would you expect to see in aortic valve replacement?
Midline sternotomy scar, may have vein harvesting scars on legs for CABG done at the same time.
Bruising from warfarinisation.
Mechanical sound - S2.
Can have murmur from leak, new stenosis or new regurgitation.
Need to look out for signs of heart failure and infective endocarditis.
Given the findings of metallic click just after the pulse, midline sternotomy scar and no features of infective endocarditis or heart failure what is your preferred diagnosis and differentials?
Aortic valve.
How would you investigate for aortic valve replacement?
Bloods including inflammatory markers
Echocardiography
ECG
What is aortic valve replacement?
Replaced aortic valve generally done for severe symptomatic aortic stenosis or aortic regurgitation. Can by mechanical or bioprosthetic/tissue.
How would you manage a patient with aortic valve replacement?
If mechanical, anticoagulation therapy - warfarin.
Endocarditis prophylaxis - good oral hygeine, prophylaxis for some procedures.
Moderate exercise to maintain cardiovascular fitness.
What are the complications of aortic valve replacement?
Thromboembolism
Valve failure - regurgitation
Infective endocarditis
Bleeding secondary to antithrombotic therapy
Haemolytic anaemia
What is the prognosis of aortic valve replacement?
2% complications leading to death from surgery.
Tissue valves last 10-20 years.
Mechanical valves last 20-40 years.
What examination features would you expect to see in mitral prolapse?
Slightly lower than average BMI.
Nonejection click and pansystolic murmur from relapse.
Consultation - what are the symptoms of mitral prolapse?
Most patients are asymptomatic.
Chest pain, palpitations, dyspnoea, exercise intolerance, dizziness, lean body habitus, anxiety disorders.
Given the findings of slightly low BMI and non-ejection click with pansystolic murmus what is your preferred diagnosis and differentials?
Mitral valve prolapse.
DDx:
Mitral valve regurgitation
Aortic or pulmonary stenosis
VSD
What is mitral prolapse?
Cause of primary mitral regurgitation caused by disease of one or more valve components, including leaflets, chordae tendinae, papillary muscles, or annulus.
How would you investigate for mitral prolapse?
Echocardiography
ECG
Cardiac MR
How would you manage a patient with mitral prolapse?
Assessment of severity and arrhythmic risk.
Replacement
What are the complications of mitral prolapse?
Severe MR
Infective endocarditis
Arrhythmias
What is the prognosis of mitral prolapse?
Can progress to MR and worsen with time.
Consultation - what are the symptoms of mitral regurgitation?
Can be well tolerated but eventually heart failure symptoms and breathlessness.
Acutely can cause pulmonary oedema.
Given the findings of laterally displaced apex beat, pansystolic murmur and atrial fibrillation what is your preferred diagnosis and differentials?
Mitral regurgitation
Due to: degenerative, coronary artery disease with papillary muscle dysfunction, infective endocarditis, rheumatic fever.
What examination features would you expect to see in mitral regurgitation?
Pansystolic murmur at apex.
Lateral displacement of the apex beat - can be brisk or hyperdynamic.
Can have S3 and palpable thrill.
Often in AF.