Cardiology: Valve disease Flashcards
Which valve disease produces an ejection systolic murmur?
Aortic stenosis
Where is an ejection systolic murmur (aortic stenosis) the loudest?
Right mid-clavicular 2nd ICS - on expiration
Where does an ejection systolic murmur (aortic stenosis) radiate?
Carotids
What are other signs of aortic stenosis?
1) Slow rising pulse
2) Narrow pulse pressure
3) Heaving apex (left ventricular hypertrophy)
4) May present with heart failure, angina or syncope
5) Soft S2 heart sound
6) Associated with age related calcification
What do you see on ECG in aortic stenosis?
Signs of left ventricular hypertrophy
1) Increased QRS voltage (height)
2) Left axis deviation
3) Poor R wave progression
How do you manage aortic stenosis?
1) Symptomatic - TAVI (transcatheter aortic valve implantation)
2) If fit and young - surgical aortic valve replacement
What can CXR show in aortic stenosis?
Cardiomegaly + calcified aortic valve (if cause)
What is the primary test for the diagnosis and evaluation of severity in aortic stenosis?
Echo - severe AS can be quantified via doppler echo
When can exercise testing be used in AS?
In physically active patients to assess the true severity of asymptomatic patients with echo confirmed AS
What is the classic triad of symptoms in aortic stenosis?
1) Heart failure
2) Syncope
3) Angina
These symptoms are related to end-stage AS and patients may remain asymptomatic for a long period until decompensation occurs with concurrent illness
What are additional symptoms of aortic stenosis?
1) Asymptomatic
2) Exertional dyspnoea
3) Decreased exercise tolerance
What are indications for intervention in aortic stenosis?
1) Symptomatic
2) Asymptomatic with LVEF < 50%
3) Asymptomatic with LVEF > 50% + physically active + have symptoms or a fall in BP during exercise testing
When is a TAVI (transcatheter aortic valve implantation) favoured for aortic stenosis management?
1) Severe comorbidities
2) Previous heart surgery
3) Frailty
4) Restricted mobility
5) > 75
When is a surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR)
Low risk + < 75
What are the classic signs in aortic sclerosis (age-related senile degeneration of the valve)
1) Ejection systolic murmur that does not radiate to the carotids
2) Normal S2, pulse character and volume
What is mitral regurgitation?
Backflow of blood across the mitral valve during systole due to incompetence of the mitral valve
What are the features of acute mitral regurgitation?
Cardiac emergency
1) Sudden onset pulmonary oedema
2) Hypotension
3) Cardiogenic shock
What is the main cause of ischaemic acute mitral regurgitation?
Papillary muscle rupture secondary to MI
What is the main cause of non-ischaemic acute mitral regurgitation?
Ruptured chordae tendineae due to:
1) Mitral prolapse (myxomatous disease)
2) Infective endocarditis
3) Rheumatic heart disease - acute or chronic
4) Trauma
5) Spontaneous rupture
What are causes of acute mitral regurgitation in patients with a prosthetic valve?
1) Tissue valvelet rupture due to endocarditis, degeneration or calcification
2) Paravalvular regurgitation due to infection or suture rupture
3) Valve thrombus or infection causing impaired closure
What are causes of chronic mitral regurgitation?
1) Leaflet dysfunction e.g. degenerative, rheumatic fever, SLE, IE, connective tissue disorders,
2) Chordae dysfunction - trauma, myxomatous valve disease causing prlapse
3) Papillary muscle dysfunction - MI, dilated cardiomyopathy
4) Annular dysfunction - calcification, dilated cardiomyopathy, CT disorders
5) Prothesis dysfunction
How does acute mitral regurgitation present?
Cardiac emergency - sudden onset:
1) SOB
2) Exertional dyspnoea
3) Fatigue
4) Weakness
(pulmonary oedema, hypotension + signs of cardiogenic shock)
How does chronic mitral regurgitation present?
1) Mild-moderate MR = asymptomatic until significant systolic dysfunction, pulmonary hypertension or symptomatic AF
2) Fatigue + exertional dyspnoea are most common - due to decreased cardiac output + increased pulmonary pressures due to increased left atrial pressures
What are the potential complications of mitral regurgitation?
1) Heart failure
2) Thromboembolism secondary to AF
3) Haemoptysis secondary to pulmonary hypertension + symptoms of right heart failure (less common than in mitral stenosis)
4) Infective endocarditis + associated symptoms can also complicate MR
Describe the murmur heard in mitral regurgitation?
Pansystolic murmur, loudest at the apex on expiration + rolling to the left, radiates to axilla
Where does a mitral regurgitation murmur radiate?
Axilla
What other examination findings are found in mitral regurgitation?
1) Quiet/absent S1
2) If patients are in decompensated heart failure - bilateral lung crepitations, raised JVP, S3/S4, peripheral/sacral oedema
How do you diagnose and assess severity of mitral regurgitation?
Echo
What are ECG findings in mitral regurgitation?
1) P-mitrale - broad-notched P wave due to left atrial enlargement
2) Left ventricular hypertrophy
3) Left axis deviation
Which heart chamber enlarges in mitral regurgitation?
Left atrium
What are CXR findings in mitral regurgitation?
1) Pulmonary oedema
2) Left atrial enlargement
How do you treat mitral regurgitation?
1) Treat concurrent complications e.g. AF, thromboembolism, heart failure
2) Definitive management if symptomatic = surgery
What is the definitive management for symptomatic mitral regurgitation?
Surgery
What are the two types of surgery for symptomatic mitral regurgitation?
1) Mitral valve repair (mitral valvuloplasty) - preferable as is preserves all components of the native valve and avoids use of prostheses
2) Mitral valve replacement - offers the choice between a mechanical valve (lifelong anticoagulation but long-lasting), and a bioprosthetic valve (limited durability but no need for anticoagulation)