Cardiology - MTB Flashcards
A 48 y.o woman comes to the office wth chest pain that has been occuring for the past several weeks. Not reliably related to exertion. She is comfortable now. Pain sometimes associated with nausea. No SOB. and pain does not radiate beyonf chest. She has no PMH. What is most likely diagnosis?
GERD
Coronary artery disease
- aka atherosclerotic disease
- ischemic heart disease
Risk factors for CAD
- Diabetes mellitus
- Tobacco smoking
- HTN
- Hyperlipidemia
- Family hx of premature coronary arery disease
- Age above 45 in men and above 55 in women
Worst risk factor for CAD
Diabetes mellitus
Premature coronary heart disease
- male relative under 55
- female relative under 65
Postmenopausal woman develops chest pain immediately on hearing news of her son’s death in war. She develops acute chest pain , dyspnea, ST segment elevation in V2 - V4 on ECG. Elevated levels of troponin confirm an acute MI. Coronary angiography is normal including absence of vasospasm with provocative testing. ECG reveals apical LV “ballooning”. Mechanism of this disorder?
- massive catecholamine discharge
Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy
- often occurs in postmenopausal women s/p emotionally stressful event
- manage w/ Beta blockers and ACE inhibitors
Most dangerous risk factors in terms of risk or CAD?
Elevated LDL
Correcting which risk factor for CAD will result in the most immediate benefit for the patient?
Smoking cessation
Chest pain described as dull / “sore” and/or squeezing or pressure-like
ischemic pain
- sharp (“knifelike”) or pointlike
- lasts for a few seconds
Chest pain that excludes ischemic pain
- changes with respiration (pleuritic)
- changes with position of the body
- changes with touch of the chest wall (tenderness)
** if patient answers yes to the previous questions, likely NOT ischemic
Most common cause of chest pain
Gastrointestinal disorders
Patient describes chest wall tenderness. Most likely diagnosis?
Costochrondritis
Most accurate test for costochondritis
Physical exam
Patient describes chest pain that radiates to the back, unequal blood pressure between arms. Most likely diagnosis?
Aortic dissection
Most accurate test for aortic dissection
CXR
w/ widened mediastinum
- chest CT, MRI, or TEE confirms the disease
Young Pt (< 40) c/o chest pain worse with lying flat, better when sitting up. Likely diagnosis?
Pericarditis
Most accurate test for pericarditis
Electrocardiogram with ST elevation every where
PR depression
Pt describes epigastric discomfort, pain better when eating. Likely diagnosis?
Duodenal ulcer disease
Most accurate test for chest pain
Endoscopy
Pt describes chest pain with bad tatse, cough, hoarsness
Gastroesophageal reflux
Most accurate test for GERD
Response to PPIs;
- alumnium hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide
- viscous lidocaine
Pt describes chest pain with cough, sputum, and hemoptysis. Likely diagnosis?
Pneumonia
Most accurate test for pneumonia
CXR
Patient describes chest pain with sudden onset SOB, tacycardia, and hypoxia.
Pulmonary embolus
Most accurate test for pulmonary embolus
- spiral CT
- V/Q scan
Pt complains chest pain with sharp, pleuritic pain, and tracheal deviation. Likely diagnosis?
Pneumothorax
Most accurate test for pneumothorax
Chest X-ray
Worst prognostic significance for chest pain
Shortness of breath
Best initial test for chest pain
Electrocardiogram (EKG)`
- in office setting, the EKG is normal most of time but cannot progress to other testing without this test
If patient has acute chest pain in an office/ambulatory setting, what is the next best step to evaluate chest pain?
Transfer to ER
- DON’T ANSWER CARDIAC ENZYMES!!
If patient has chest pain in office/clinic for days to weeks, are cardiac enzymes appropriate?
No enzymes
If patient has chest pain in emergency department for minutes to hours, are cardiac enzymes appropriate?
Yes enzymes,
after an EKG is performed
When the etiology of chest pain is not clear, what is the best tool for evaluation of chest pain?
Exercise tolerance testing (ETT)
What are the two best factors for ETT
- You can read the EKG
2. The patient can exercise (gets heart rate > 85% of maximum)
Maximum heart rate
220 - age of patient
Best way to detect ischemia on EKG
ST segment depression
If you cannot read EKG because of baseline EKG abnormality, what are the 2 best ways to detect ischemia w/o EKG?
- Nuclear isotope uptake: thallium or sestamibi
- Echocardiographic detection of wall abnormalities
Reasons for baseline EKG abnormalities
- Left bundle branch block
- Left ventricular hypertrophy
- Pacemaker use
- Effect of digoxin
Thallium testing for detection of cardiac ischemia
Normal myocardium will pick up thallium
- if myocardium is alive and perfused, thallium will be picked by Na/K ATPase
- if myocardium is abnormal, thallium has decreased uptake
Echocardiogram for detection of cardiac ischemia
Normal myocardium will move on contraction
- abnormal heart has decreased wall motion (dyskinesis, akinesis, or hypokinesis)
Ischemia vs infarction
ischemia: decreased perfusion that is detected by REVERSAL of thallium uptake or wall motion that returns to normal after rest period
If patient is unable to exercise to detect cardiac ischemia with exercise tolerance testing, what is the best method of detecting cardiac ischemia?
Pharm testing
- Persantine (dipyramidole) or adenosine in combination with thallium or nuclear isotopes
- Dobutamine in combination with echocardiogram
How does dobutamine work to detect cardiac ischemia
Dobutamine will increase myocardial oxygen consumption and provoke ischemia detected as wall motion abnormalities on ech
Coronary Angiography
- used to detect anatomic location of coronary artery disease
- use to determine whether narrowing should be best dealt with by surgery, angiography, or methods of revascularization
Most accurate test for detecting coronary artery disease
Angiography
Arterial stenosis
- insignificant when less than 50%
- surgically correctable when > 70%
Holter monitoring
- continuous ambulatory EKG monitor that records rhythm
- used for 24 - 72 hrs
- mainly detects rhythm disorders (a-fib, a-glutter, PVCs)
- does not detect ischemia and not for evaluating ST segment
48 y.o woman comes to office w/ chest pain that has been occurring over the last several weeks. The pain is not reliably related to exertion. She is comfortable now. The location of pain is retrosternal. She has no hypertension and the EKG is normal. What is the next best step?
Exercise tolerance testing
Medications that lower mortality in setting of chronic angina
- Aspirin
- Beta blockers
- Nitroglycerin
Route of nitroglycerin in chronic angina
Orally or a transdermal patch
Route of nitroglycerin in acute coronary syndromes
Sublingual, paste, and IV forms of nitroglycerine
Clopidogrel
- aspirin intolerance (e.g. allergy)
- recent angioplasty with stenting
- rarely used with TTP
Prasugrel
- thienopyridine medication in same clas as clopidogrel and ticlopidine
- antiplatelet medication best used for angioplasty ad stenting
Ticlopidine
- antiplatelet med in rare patient intolerant of both aspirin and clopidogrel
- should not be used if aspirin/clopidogrel intolerance is bleeding
- can cause neutropenia and TTP
Ranolazine
- additional therapy for angina refractory or persistent through treatment
ACE inhibitors / ARBS: Indications
- low systolic ejection raction/ systolic dysfunction (best mortality beneift)
- regurgitant valvular disease
Most common side effect of ACE inhibitors
Cough
64 y/o man is placed on lisinopril as part of managing CAD in association with ejection fraction of 24% and symptoms of breathlessness. Although he sometimes has rales on lung exam, the patient is asymptomatic today. PE should minimal edema of lower extremities. Blood tests reveal an elevated level of K that is present on a repeat measurement. EKG is unchanged. What’s the best way to manage this patient
Switch from lisinopril to hydralazine and nitrates
- Lisinopril also cause hyperkalemia due to inhibition of aldosterone
- hydralazine will decrease afterload a arterial vasodilator
Why should hydralazine be used with nitrates in systolic dysfunction?
Hydralazine in an arterial vasodilator that decreases afterload
- used w/ nitrates to dilate coronary arteries so that blood isn’t stolen away from coronary perfusion when afterload is decreased w/ hydrazalines
Lipid Management in CAD
Patients use statins w/ CAD with an LDL above 100 mg/dL
Aside from CAD, other conditions in which lipids should be controlled to < 100 mg/dL
- Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
- Carotid disease (not stroke)
- Aortic disease ( the artery, not the valve)
- Diabetes mellitus
Most common adverse effect of statins
Liver dysfunction
- elevation of transaminases
Why are statins considered to have some mortality benefit?
Statins have antioxidant effect on endothelial lining of coronary arteries
Niacin
- used to lower lipid levels
- associated w/ glucose intolerance, elevation of uric avid level and itchiness due histalimine rlease
- excellent ADDITION to statins if full lipid control not achieved with statins alone
Gemfibrozil
- fibric acids lower triglyceride levels more than statins however, less mortality benefit than statins
- caution using with statins due to increased risk of myositis
Cholestyramine
- bile acid sequestrant but often has interactions with other drugs in gut by blocking their absorption
- associated with uncomfortabe GI complaints such as constipation and flatus
Ezetimibe
- lowers LDL level w/o any evidence of actual benefit to patient
- no better than placebo in terms of endpoints (e.g. MI, stroke or death)
Statin: adverse effect
- elevations of transaminases (liver fxn tests)
- myositis
Niacin: adverse effect
- elevation in glucose and uric acid level
- pruritis
Fibric acid derivatives: adverse effect
- increased risk of myositis when combined with statins
Cholestyramine: adverse effect
Flatus and abdominal discomfort
Ezetimibe: adverse effect
- well tolerated and nearly useless
Dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers
- Nifedipine
- Nitrenipine
- Nicardipine
- Nimodipine
Dihydropyridine calciums affect mortality of CAD patients in which way?
They INCREASE mortality in patients with CAD b/c they raise heart rate
- the increased HR will increase myocardial oxygen consumption
Which calcium channel blockers are used in CAD?
Verapamil
Diltiazem
Indications for use of CCB in CAD
- Severe asthma precluding use of B-blockers
- Prinzmetal variant angina
- Cocaine induced chest pain (B-blockers are contraindicated)
- Inability to control pain w/ maximal medical therapy
Calcium channel blockers: Adverse effects
- Edema
- Constipation (verapamil most often)
- Heart block (rare)
Which diagnostic test is best to evaluate patient for revascularization?
- Angiography to determine whether patient needs CABG or angioplasty
Indications for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)
- Three vessels > 70% stenosis in each vessel
- Left main coronary artery occlusion
- Two-vessel disease in a patient with diabetes
- Persistent symptoms despite maximal medical therapy
Pts that benefit the most from CABG
- patients with EF < 35%
Which grafted veins are used for CABG
- Internal mammary artery grafts last 10 yrs before occlusion
- Saphenous vein grafts remain patent reliably for 5 years
Percutanous coronary intevention
- aka angioplasty
- best therapy for acute coronary syndromes esp those with ST segment elevation
- does not provide clear mortality benefit for stable CAD patients
Maximal medical therapy in stable CAD
- ASpirin
- Beta Blockers
- ACEis / ARBs
- Statin
70 y.o F comes to ED w/ crushing substernal chest pain for the last hr. The pain radiates to her left artm and is associated with anxiety, diaphoresis, and nausea. She describes the pain as “sore” and “dull” and clenches her fist in front of her chest/ She has a hx of hyperension What is most likely to be found in this patient?
S4 gallop b/c ishemia leading to noncompliance of left ventricle
Kussmaul sign
- increase in JVP on inhalation
- often associated with constrictive pericarditis or restrictive cardiomyopathy
- “scratchy” sound in pericardial friction rub
Dressler synrome
- complication of myocardial infarction that occurs several days after MI and is much rarer than simpler ventricular iscemia
Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
- continuous “machinery” murmur t
Displaced point of maximal impulse (PMI)
- characteristic of left ventricular hypertrophy as well as dilated cardiomyopathy
- anatomic abnormality that can’t occur with an acute coronary syndrome
70 y.o F comes to the emergency department w/ crushing substernal chest pain for the last hr. Which of the following EKG findings would be associated with the prognosis?
ST elevations in V2 - V4
- corresponds to the anterior wall of the left ventricle
- signifies an acute myocardial infarction
Premature ventricular complexes (PVCS)
- should not be treated
- associated with an acute infarction
- treatment of PVCs only worsens outcome
70 y/o F comes to the emergency department w/ crushing substernal chest pain for the last hour. An EKG shows ST segment elevation in V-2. What is the most appropriate next step of management in this patient?
Aspirin
- lowers mortality and important to administer as quickly as possible
- initiate therapy before moving patien to the ICU
70 y/o F comes to the emergency department w/ crushing substernal chest pain for the last hr. An EKG shows ST segment elevation in leads V2 - V4. Aspirin has been given to the patient to chew. What is the most appropriate next step in management?
Angioplasty is associated with greatest mortality benefit
Pt c/o chest pain, when to do an EKG
- immediately at onset of pain
- ST elevation progresses to Q waves over several days to a week
Myoglobin
- becomes abnormal 1-4 hrs
- duration of myoglobin elevation is 1-2 days
CK-MB
- becomes abnormal 4-6 hrs
- duration of elevated CK-MB for 1-2 days
Troponin
- becomes abnormal in 4-6 hrs
- duration of elevated troponin is 10-14 hrs
Difficulty of using troponin levels in detection of myocardial infarctions
- Troponin can’t distinguish btwn reinfarction occurring several days after 1st event
- Renal insufficiency can result in false positive tests since troponin is excreted via kidneys
If pt c/o of new chest pain within a few days of first cardiac event, how do you manage this condition?
Concern for reinfarction
- Perform an EKG to detect NEW ST segment abnormalities
- Check CK-MB levels
* * after two days, the CK-MB levels should have returned to normal - Transfer to ICU if new infarction
Most common cause of death in first several days of MI
Ventricular arrhythmia (v-tach, v-fib)
ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)
- best initially managed with aspirin (orally or chewed).
- clopidogrel can be used an alternative to aspirin if there is an allergy
Angioplasty vs Thromobolytics
Angioplasty is superior to thrombolytics b/c
- Survival and mortality benefit
- Fewer hemorrhagic complications
- Likelihood of developing MI complicatins (less arrhythmia, less CHF, fewer septal ruptures, few episodes of tampanade)
PCI
- standard of care is expected to be performed within 90 minutes of patient arriving in ED with chest pain
Complications of PCI
- Rupture of coronary artery on inflation of the balloon
- Restenosis (thrombosis) of the vessel after angioplasty
- Hematoma at the site of entry into artery
Which of the following is most important in decreasing the risk of restenosis of the coronary artery after PCI?
Placement of drug eluting stent (paclitazel, siroliums)
- inhibit the local T cell response which reduces rate of sternosis
Absolute contraindications to thrombolytics
- Major bleeding into the bowel (melena) or brain (any type of CNS bleeding)
- Recent surgery (within the last 2 weeks)
- Severe hypertension (above 180/110)
- Nonhemorrhagic stroke within the last 6 months
Pt comes to a small rural hospital w/o catherization lab. The patient has chest pain and ST segment elevation. What is the most appropriate next step in the management of the patient?
Administer thrombolytics now
- better than angioplasty delayed by several hrs
- mortality benefit of thombolytics extend to 12 hrs
Best initial therapy for acute coronary syndrome?
Asprin
- best used for everyone
Indication for clopidogrel in ACS
- when aspirin not tolerated, those undergoing angioplasty and stenting
Indication for Beta blockers in ACS
- used in everyone
- effect is not dependent on time - starting anytime during admission
Indication for ACE inhibitors and ARB in ACS
- used in everyone
- benefits those with ejection fraction < 35%
Indication for statins in ACS
- used in everyone
- benefits those with LDL > 100 mg/ dL
Indication for oxygen and nitrates in ACS
- used everyone
- no clear mortality benefit
Indication for heparin in ACS
- after thrombolytics / PCI to prevent restenosis
initial therapy with ST depression and other non- STEMI events (unstable angina)
Indication for calcium channel blockers in ACS
- when beta blockers can’t be used
- cocaine induced pain
- Prinzmetal variant or vasospastic variant angina
Most dangerous risk factors in terms of risk or CAD?
Elevated LDL
Man comes to the emergency department w/ chest pain for the last hr that is crushing in quality and does not change w/ respiration or position of his body. EKG shows ST segment depression in leads V2 - V4. Aspirin has been given. What is the most appropriate next step in management?
Heparin
- heparin will prevent clot formation in coronary arteries but does not dissolve already formed clots
- there is no ST ELEVATION, no benefit of thrombolytics
Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitors (Abciximab, Tirofiban, Eptifibitide)
- used in ACS in those are to undergo angioplasty and stenting
- inhibit the aggregation of plateletss.
- led to reduction in mortality in those w/ ST depression, particularly in patients whose troponin or CK-MB levels
- not useful in acute STEMIs separate from angioplasty and stenting
tPA (thrombolytics) best used in which patients?
- ST elevation MI patients
Heparin is best used in which patients?
- non-STEMI patients
Glycoprotein IIa/IIIb inhibitors are best in used in which patients?
non-STEMO patients and those undergoing angioplasty and stenting
If in non-STEMI ACS, when all meds have been given, and patient has persistent pain, S3 gallop or CHF develop, worse EKG changes or SVT, rising troponin levels. Next step?
Urgent angiography and possible angioplasty
Complications of acute MI
- Bradycardia
- Tachycardia
- Tamponade/Free wall rupture
- Ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation
- Valve/septal rupture
Sinus bradycardia in setting of MI
- common w/ MI if vascular insufficiency of the SA node
3rd degree (complete) AV block
- will have CANNON A WAVES
- obtain EKG to distinguish 3rd degree AV block vs sinus bradycardia
Cannon A waves
- produced by atrial systole against closed tricuspid valve
- tricuspid valve is closed b/c essence of 3rd degree block is that atria and valves are contracting separate
- JVD is bouncing up into the neck
Right ventricular infarction
- associated w/ new inferior wall MI and clear lungs
- diagnosed by flipping EKG from usual left side to right side of chest
R coronary artery supplies
- RV
- AV node
- inferior wall of heart
R ventricular infarction: treatment
- High volume fluid replacement
- avoid nitroglycerin to RV infarctions which markedly worsen cardiac filling
Tamponade/free wall rupture s/p MI
- takes several days s/p infarction for wall to scar and weakens enough to rupture
- look for sudden loss of pulse
- lungs are clear and is cause of pulseless electrical activity
Tamponade/Free Wall Rupture: Diagnosis
- emergency echocardiography
Ventricular Tachycardia/Ventricular Fibrillation s/p MI
- can cause sudden
- must use EKG to distinguish v-tachycardia and v-fibrillaiotn
- both treated w/ cardiovarsion/defibrillation
Septal rupture/Valve rupture s/p MI
- new onset of murmur and pulmonary congestion
Ventricular septal rupture best heard where?
- can be seen s/p MI
- best heart at LLSB
Mitral regurgitation
- can occur s/p MI
- best heard at apex w/ radiation to axilla
Most accurate test to detect valve rupture and septal rupture
- Echocardiogram
Septal rupture
- look for increase in oxygen saturation as you go from right atrium to right ventricle
Intraaortic balloon pump
- used when there is acute pump failure from anatomic problem that can be fixed in OR
- contracts and relazes w/ natural heartbeat
- helps give a “push forward to the blood”
Reinfarction or extension of infarction
- patient often presents w/ either inferior or anterior infarction
- look for reoccurrence of pain, new rales on exam, bump up CK-MB and even suddent onset of pulmonary edema
Reinfarction or extension of infarction
- repeat EKG
- retreat w/ angioplasty and sometimes thrombolytics in addition to usual meds (aspirin, metoprolol, nitrates, ACE, statins)
Aneurysm/ Mural Thrombus
- detected with echocadiogramy
- treated w/ heparin followed by warfarin
Pt s/p MI presents w bradycardia and cannon A waves. Likely dx?
3rd degree AV block
Pt s/p MI presents w/ bradycardia. No cannon A waves on EKG. Likely dx?
Sinus bradycardia
Pt s/p MI w/ PMH of inferior wall MI, clear lungs, tachycardia, hypotension w/ nitroglycerin. Likely dx?
RV infarction
Pt s/p MI with new murmur, rales/congestion. Likely dx?
Valve rupture
Pt s/p MI with new murmur, increase in oxygen saturation on entering the right ventricle. Likely dx?
Septal rupture
Pt s/p MI with loss of pulse, need EKG to answer question. Likely diagnosis
Ventricular fibrillation
Before patient w/ MI is discharged. Which test should be done?
Stress test
- to determine if angiography is needed
- angiogrpay determines need for revascularization
Meds needed for postinfarction patients
Every MI patient should go home:
- Aspirin
- Beta blockers (metoprolol)
- Statins
- ACE inhibitors
ACE inhibitors are best used for which type of MI patients?
Anterior wall infarctions b/c of high likelihood of developing systolic dysfunction
Clopidogrel
- used for those intolerant of aspirin or post-stenting
ARBS
- used for MI patients with cough on ACE inhibitor
Prophylactic antiarrhythmic medications
- don’t use amiodarone, flecainide or any rhythm controlleing med to prevent development of v-tach
Sexual issues postinfarction
- Don’t combine nitrates w/ sildenafil
- Erectile dysfunction (usually from anxiety)
- Pt doesn’t have to wait after an MI to begin sexual activity
- If post-MI stress test is normal, pt can engage in exercise program
Congestive Heart Failure
- dysfunction of heart as pump of blood
- dyspnea is most common function
- can be due to either systolic or diastolic dysfunction
Diastolic dysfunction
- inability of heart to “relax” and receive blood
- ejection fraction is preserved and sometimes even above normal
Most common causes of systolic dysfunction (3)
- Infarction
- Cardiomyopathy (2/2 HTN)
- Valve disease
Less common causes of systolic dysfunction
- Alcohol
- post viral myocarditis
- Doxorubicin use
- Chagas disease
- Hemochromatosis
CHF: presentation
- dyspnea
- pulmonary edema, in worst form
- orthopnea (worse when lying flat, relieved when sitting up)
- Rales on lung exam
- JVD
- paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (sudden worsening at night)
- S3 gallop
Pt presents with sudden onset dyspnea with clear lungs. Likely dx?
Pulmonary embolus
Pt presents w/ sudden onset dyspnea, wheexing, increased expiratory phase. Likely dx?
Asthma
Pt presents w/ slower onset dyspnea, sputum, unilateral rales/rhonci
Pneumonia
Pt presents w/ dyspnea, circumoral numbness, caffeine use, hx of anxiety. Likely dx?
Panic attack
Pt presents w/ pallor, gradual onset dyspnea over days to weeks. Likely dx?
Anemia