Cardiology Review-Pearl Flashcards
Are aortic aneurysms more common in men or women?
Men (10:1) Other risk factors include HTN, atherosclerosis, DM, hyperlipidemia, smoking, syphilis, Marfan’s, and EDS
A pt presents with sudden-onset chest and back pain. Further work-up reveals an ischemic right leg. What is your diagnosis?
Suspect an acute aortic dissection when chest or back pain is associated with ischemic or neurologic defects
What CXR finding occurs with a thoracic aortic aneurysm?
Change in aortic appearance, mediastinal widening, hump in the aortic arch, pleural effusion (MC on the left), and extension of the aortic shadow
A 74-year old male presents with acute-onset testicular pain. Ecchymosis is present in the groin and scrotal sac. What is the diagnosis?
A ruptured aortic or iliac artery aneurysm
What physical findings suggest an acute aortic dissection?
BP differences between arms and legs, cardiac tamponade, and aortic insufficiency murmur
What x-ray study should be ordered for a pt with an abdominal mass and a suspected ruptured AAA?
None. The pt should go to the OR immediately. About 60% of AAA occur with calcification and appear on a lateral abdominal x-ray
What may an x-ray of a patient with an aortic dissection reveal?
Widening of the superior mediastinum, a hazy or enlarged aortic knob, an irregular aortic contour, separation of the intimal calcification from the outer aortic contour that is > than 5mm, a displaced trachea to the right, and cardiomegaly
What is the most common symptom of aortic dissection?
Interscapular back pain
Where do aortic dissections most often occur?
Proximal ascending aorta (60%). 20% of aortic dissections are found between the origin of the left subclavian and the ligamentum arteriosum in the descending aorta, and 10% are found in the aortic arch or the abdominal aorta. Dissection involves intimal tears propagated by hematoma formation.
What aortic aneurysm diameter is generally considered to be an indication of surgery: a.) in the thorax and b.) in the abdomen?
Those with non-dissecting thoracic aneurysms larger than 7cm in diameter are candidates for surgery. However, surgery should be considered with smaller aneurysms for those with Marfan’s, because of a higher incidence of rupture. Non-dissecting AAA larger than 4cm in diameter should be considered for repair.
Describe the Stanford classification of aortic dissections.
Standford Type A: Involve ascending aorta; Stanford Type B: Do not involve ascending aorta
What dissections can be treated medically?
Pts with Type B (and Debakey’s Type III) are eligible for medical, rather than, surgical treatment. Surgical treatment may be required for those with uncontrollable pain, aortic bleeding, hemodynamical instability, increasing hematoma size, or an impending rupture
What is the prognosis for an untreated aortic dissection?
20% of afflicted individuals die within 24 hours, 60% within 2 weeks, and 90% within 3 months. With surgical treatment, the 10 year survival rate is 40%. Redissection occurs in 25% of these pts within 10 years of the original episode
What murmur is expected in pts with substantial aortic stenosis?
A prolonged, harsh, loud (IV, V, or VI) systolic murmur
Where is the most common site of peripheral aneurysms that develop from arteriosclerosis?
The popliteal artery. Other sites include the femoral, carotid, and subclavian arteries
How long can ST and T changes persist after an episode of pain in unstable angina?
Several hours
Quincke’s pulse
Visible pulsations in the nail bed capillaries
Corrigan’s pulse
Collapsing pulse
deMusset’s sign
Head bobbing
Muller’s sign
Uvular pulsation during systole
Duroziez’s sign
Femoral artery murmurs during systole if the artery is compressed proximally and during diastole if the artery is compressed distally
Pulsus paradoxus
Drop in the systolic BP > 10mmHg with inspiration
What is the most common cause of aortic regurgitation in adults?
Mild aortic regurgitation frequently develops as a result of a bicuspid aortic valve. A severe aortic regurgitation is induced by rheumatic heart disease, syphilis, endocarditis, trauma, an idiopathic degeneration of the aortic valve, a spontaneous rupture of the valve leaflets, or aortic dissection
What are the signs and symptoms of acute aortic regurgitation?
Dyspnea, tachycardia, tachypnea, and chest pain
What is the most common cause of aortic stenosis in pts under age 50? Over age 50?
Under 50: Calcification of congenital bicuspid aortic valves (1% of the population has congenital bicuspid valves); Over 50: Calcification of degenerating leaflets
What triad of symptoms characterizes aortic stenosis?
Syncope, angina, and left heart failure. As the disease progresses, systolic BP decreases and pulse pressure narrows
What are the clinical findings in a patient with aortic stenosis?
Angina, dyspnea on exertion, syncope, sustained apical impulse, narrow pulse pressure, parvus et tardus, systolic ejection crescendo-decrescendo murmur that radiates to the neck, systolic ejection click (not heard in severe cases when the valve is so stenosed that it is immobile), paradoxically split S1 and soft S2, and audible s4
What rhythm is produced by Wolf-Parkinson-White syndrome?
AV reciprocating tachycardia
What are the common causes of multifocal atrial tachycardia?
COPD, CHF, sepsis, and methylxanthine toxicity. Treat the arrhythmia with magnesium, verapamil, or B-blocking agents
How is atrial flutter treated?
Initiate AV nodal blockade with B-blockers, CCBs, or digoxin. If necessary, treat a stable patient with chemical cardioversion by using class IA agents, such as procainamide or quinidine, after digitalization. If this tx fails or if the pt is unstable, electrocardiovert at 25 to 50 J
What are some cases of atrial fibrillation?
HTN, rheumatic heart disease, pneumonia, thyrotoxicosis, ischemic heart, pericarditis, ethanol intoxication, PE, CHF and COPD
How is atrial fibrillation treated?
Control rate with B-blockade or CCB (such as verapamil or diltiazem) then convert with procainamide, quinidine, or verapamil. Digoxin may be considered, although its effect will be delayed. Syncronized cardioversion at 100 to 200J should be performed on an unstable pt. In a stable pt with a-fib of unclear duration, anticoaglation should be considered for 2 to 3 weeks prior to chemical or electrical cardioversion. Watch for hypotension with the administration of negative inotropes
What are some causes of SVT?
Digitalis toxicity, pericarditis, MI, COPD, pre-excitation syndromes, mitral valve prolapse, rheumatic heart disease, pneumonia, and ethanol
What mechanism most commonly produces SVTs?
Reentry. Another common cause is abnormal automaticity (i.e., ectopic foci)
What is the tx for SVT caused by digitalis toxicity?
Stop the digitalis, treat the hypokalemia, and administer magnesium or phenytoin. Provide digoxin specific antibodies to the unstable patient. Avoid cardioversion
What is the tx for stable SVT not caused by digitalis toxicity or WPW syndrome?
Vagal maneuvers, adenosine, verapamil, or B-blockers
Describe the key feature of Mobitz I (Wenckebach) second degree AV block.
A progressive prolongation of the PR interval until the atrial impulse is no longer conducted. If symptomatic, atropine and transcutaneous/transvenous pacing is required
Describe the key feature of Mobitz II second degree AV block.
A constant PR interval in which one or more beats fail to conduct
What is the tx for Mobitz II second degree AV block?
Atropine and transcutaneous/transvenous pacing, if symptomatic
Carotid massage or Valsalva maneuver is useful for slowing supraventricular rhythms. When is carotid massage contraindicated?
With ventricular arrhythmias, dig toxicity, stroke, syncope, seizures, or in those with a carotid bruit
What are some common vagal maneuvers?
Breath holding, valsalva (bearing down as if having a bowel movement), stimulating of the gag reflex, squatting, pressure on the eyeballs, and immersing the face in cold water
Which is more common: premature atrial beats or ventricular beats?
Premature atrial beats. Palpitations that occur because of premature atrial beats are generally benign and asymptomatic. Reassurance is the only treatment. Less frequent but more serious causes of atrial premature beats include pheochromocytoma and thyrotoxicosis. Random PVCs are also benign but common in the general population. Runs of PVCs or associated symptoms of dyspnes, angina, or syncope require investigation and are most likely related to an underlying heart disease.
What are the diagnostic criteria for a Q wave?
More than 0.04 seconds and at least one-quarter the size of the R wave in the same lead. Beware, ECGs can be normal in up to 10% of acute MIs.
What is the most common side effect of esmolol, labetalol, and bretylium?
Hypotension
What side effect can occur with a rapid infusion of procainamide?
Hypotension. Other side effects include QRS/QT prolongation, ventricular fibrillation, and Torsade de pointe.
What are some ADRs of lidocaine?
Drowsiness, nausea, vertigo, confusion, ataxia, tinnitus, muscle twitching, respiratory depression, and psychosis
What artery is usually affected by arterial occlusive disease in diabetics?
The popliteal artery. Because of diabetic neuropathy and the potential for the development of a necrotizing infection in a leg with compromised circulation, it is very important that patients with diabetes are knowledgeable about pedal hygiene
What is Budd-Chiari syndrome?
Thrombosis in the hepatic vein resulting in abdominal pain, jaundice, and ascites
What is the cause of Prinzmetal’s angina?
Coronary artery vasospasm with or without fixed stenotic lesions. Prinzmetal’s angina is more often associated with ST segment elevation than with depression. CCBs are the drugs of choice to treat this condition. B-blockers are contraindicated in pts who have vasospasm without fixed stenotic lesions
80-90% of pts who experience sudden non-traumatic cardiac arrest are in what rhythm?
Ventricular fibrillation. Early defibrillation is the key. In an acute MI, the infarction zone becomes electrically unstable. Ventricular fibrillation is most common during original coronary occlusion or when the coronaries begin to reperfuse
In CPR, what is the ventilation to compression ratio for one rescuer? For 2 rescuers?
1 rescuer: 2 breaths to 15 compressions; 2 rescuers: 1 breath to 5 compressions
Which is the most common type of cardiomyopathy?
Dilated cardiomyopathy (all 4 chambers). This condition is induced by progression of myocarditis, alcohol, adriamycin, diabetes, pheochromocytoma, thiamine deficiency, thyroid disease, and valve replacement. The other types of cardiomyopathies are hypertrophic and restrictive/obliterative pregnancy
Which is the most common type of cardiac faILURE: high or low output?
Low output failure. Reduced stroke volume, lowered pulse pressure, and peripheral vasoconstriction are all signs of low output failure
What is the most common cause of low output heart failure in the US?
CAD. Other causes include congenital heart disease, cor pulmonale, dilated cardiomyopathy, HTN, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, infection, toxins, and valvular heart disease
Compare the mortality rate from CHF between the sexes
Women fare slightly better. The 5-year mortality rate for a female with CHF is 45%, as compared to 60% for males. The majority of deaths from CHF result from ventricular arrhythmias
Describe the 3 stages of CXR findings in CHF:
Stage I: Pulmonary arterial wedge pressure (PAWP) of 12-18mmHg. Blood flow increases in the upper lung fields (cephalization of pulmonary vessels); Stage II: PAWP of 18-25mmHg. Interstitial edema is evident with blurred edges of blood vessels and Kerly B lines; Stage III: PAWP >25mmHg. fluid exudes into alveoli with the generation of the classic butterfly pattern of perihilar infiltrates
Which do nitrates affect: preload or afterloaD?
Predominantly preload
Which does hydralazine affect: preload or afterload?
Afterload
True or False: Prazosin, captopril, and nifedipine affect afterload
TRUE
When is dobutamine used in CHF?
When heart failure is not associated with severe hypotension. Dobutamine is a potent inotrope with some vasodilation activity
When is dopamine selected in CHF?
When a patient is in shock. Dopamine is a vasoconstrictor and a positive inotrope
What is the most common cause of right ventricular heart failure?
Left ventricular heart failure
Hypotension is a symptom of left or right heart failure?
Left
Hepatomegaly is a symptom of left or right heart failure?
Right
Orthopnea is a symptom of left or right heart failure?
Left
Cough is a symptom of left or right heart failure?
Left
Dyspnea on exertion is a symptom of left or right heart failure?
Left
Abdominal distention is a symptom of left or right heart failure?
Right
Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea is a symptom of left or right heart failure?
Left
Hemoptysis is a symptom of left or right heart failure?
Left