CardioResp Flashcards
What is the 5-year survival rate for lung cancer?
13%
What are the risk factors for lung cancer?
Smoking Airflow obstruction Increasing age Family history Carcinogens eg asbestos
What is the performance scale for lung cancer used for?
To indicate patient’s level of fitness, used when deciding treatment options
What staging is used for lung cancer?
TNM
What is the use of PET scanning in lung cancer?
Helps detect small mets not seen on staging CT
Used if patient is surgical candidate and initial CT suggests low stage
What are the 2 main histological types of lung cancer?
Small cell lung cancer
Non-small cell lung cancer
What are the different types of non-small cell lung cancer?
Squamous cell
Adenocarcinoma
Large cell carcinoma
Bronchoalveolar cancer
In what stages of lung cancer is surgery considered?
I and II (providing patient is fit for surgery)
What is the prognosis for small cell lung cancer?
Poor
Median survival if untreated is 4-12 weeks
Rapid growth
Almost always too extensive for surgery
What is the prognosis for non-small cell lung cancer?
Depends on stage
Stages I and II following resection 5y survival up to 70%
What proportion of lung cancer cases are in smokers or ex-smokers?
85%
What are the components of COPD?
Emphysema
Chronic bronchitis
What is emphysema?
Alveolar wall destruction causing irreversible enlargement of air spaces, distal to the terminal bronchioles
What are the causes of COPD?
Smoking
Alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency
Industrial exposure eg soot
What is the most effective way of preventing COPD progression?
Smoking cessation
What are the aims of long term oxygen therapy in COPD?
Preventing renal and cardiac damage caused by long periods of hypoxia
How long does oxygen therapy need to be given for per day in order to provide survival benefit?
At least 16 hours per day
At what oxygen level is LTOT offered for COPD?
pO2 consistently below 7.3
Or below 8kPa with for pulmonale
What are the conditions for patients having LTOT?
Must be non-smokers
Must not retain high levels of CO2
What are the disadvantages of LTOT?
Loss of independence
Reduced activity
Why are pulmonary rehabilitation classes beneficial for COPD?
Prevent muscles weakening
Prevent increasing breathlessness
Increase livelihood
Prevent social isolation
What do pulmonary rehabilitation classes consist of?
Supervised exercise
Unsupervised home exercise
Nutritional advice
Disease education
What are the signs of an infective exacerbation of COPD?
Change in sputum colour or volume
Fever
Raised WCC and/or CRP
What nebs are given in a COPD exacerbation?
Salbutamol
Ipratropium
What steroids are used in COPD exacerbation?
Prednisolone 30mg stat
Once daily for 7 days
When are antibiotics indicated for COPD exacerbation?
Raised CRP/WCC
Purulent sputum
When is NIV considered for COPD exacerbation?
Type 2 resp failure
pH 7.25 - 7.35
When should you consider ITU referral for exacerbation of COPD?
pH less than 7.25
What does ABPA stand for?
Allergic Bronchopulmomary Aspergillosis
What are the modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease?
Smoking
Diabetes
Hypertension
Hyperlipidaemia
What is S1?
Closure of AV valves (mitral and tricuspid)
What is S2?
Closure of outflow valves (aortic and pulmonary)
In terms of heart sounds, when is systole?
After S1, before S2 starts
When is a 3rd heart sound normal?
Below age 30
What are the causes of S3 and S4 being heard?
Heart failure
MI
Cardiomyopathy
Hypertension
What is a murmur?
Sound produced by turbulent flow of blood through heart, especially over abnormal valves
What murmurs are louder on inspiration? Why?
Right-sided
Inspiration increases venous return to the right side of the heart
What is a thrill?
Palpable murmur
What are the causes of mitral stenosis?
Rheumatic fever
Old age
Calcification
What is the major association with mitral stenosis?
Atrial fibrillation - 60-70% of mitral stenosis patients
What is the murmur of mitral stenosis?
Mid-diastolic murmur ‘rumbling’
Where is mitral stenosis best heard?
With the bell
In apex
Patient lying on left side
How may mitral stenosis lead to right axis deviation on ECG?
High LA pressure due to stenosis AV valve on left (mitral)
Pulmonary venous HTN, leading to pulmonary arterial HTN
Right ventricular hypertrophy
How can mitral stenosis lead to right heart failure?
High LA pressure causing pulmonary HTN
Right ventricular hypertrophy leading to tricuspid regurgitation, and right heart failure
What is the murmur of mitral regurgitation?
Pansystolic - no gap between S1 and S2
Radiates to axilla
What are the causes of mitral regurgitation?
Prolapsing mitral valve Rheumatic mitral regurg Papillary muscle rupture post-MI Cardiomyopathy Connective tissue disorders
What are the ECG signs of mitral regurgitation?
Bifid P waves
Left ventricular hypertrophy
What are the symptoms of aortic stenosis?
Exercise-induced syncope, angina and SOB
What is the murmur of aortic stenosis?
Ejection systolic
Radiates to carotids
What are the other signs of aortic stenosis on examination?
Slow-rising pulse
Low volume pulse
Forceful apex beat
Describe what you hear in aortic stenosis
Murmur loudest straight after S1
Audible gap before S2
What are the causes of aortic regurgitation?
Rheumatic fever
Bicuspid valve
Infective endocarditis
What does the pulse feel like in aortic regurgitation?
Collapsing - wide pulse pressure
What is the murmur of aortic regurgitation?
High-pitched early diastolic murmur
Best heard left sternal edge 4th IC space
Patient leaning forward with breath held in expiration
What are the 3 main causes of heart failure?
Ischaemic heart disease
Non-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy
Hypertension
What is the equation for cardiac output?
Cardiac output = stroke volume x heart rate
What is the end diastolic volume?
Volume of blood in a ventricle at the end of diastole
What is Starling’s law?
More blood entering the heart during diastole, the more blood is ejected during systolic contraction
What is the ejection fraction?
Fraction of blood pumped out of ventricles with each heart beat
Define pneumonia
LRTI with new consolidation on X-Ray
What is the most common organism causing community acquired pneumonia?
Streptococcus pneumoniae
What are the symptoms of an LRTI?
Usually cough (new or changed in character) Sputum production Breathlessness Wheeze Chest pain Fever Sore throat
What clinical finding makes CAP likely?
Lung crackles
How may CAP present in elderly patients?
Confusion
Less likely to have fever
What is PUO?
Pyrexia of unknown origin
What 5 factors predict risk of death from pneumonia?
Respiratory rate Blood pressure Confusion Blood urea Age over 65 years
What respiratory rate indicates severe pneumonia?
Over 30 per minute
How do you assess confusion in pneumonia?
Abbreviated mental test
What CURB-65 score indicates severe pneumonia?
3 or more
What do you do if a patient has a CURB-65 score of 2?
Use clinical judgement to decide if short inpatient stay required, or hospital supervised outpatient care
What potential complications of pneumonia may be seen on CXR?
Parapneumonic pleural effusion
Empyema
Lung abscess
What are the side effects of beta blockers?
GI disturbances Bradycardia Fatigue Cold peripheries Heart failure Hypotension Dizziness Sexual dysfunction Peripheral vasoconstriction Bronchospasm
Give three examples of beta blockers
Bisoprolol
Atenolol
Propranolol
What are the indications for beta blockers?
Hypertension
Angina
Following MI
Cardiac dysrhythmias e.g. AF
What are the contraindications to beta blockers?
Asthma
Marked bradycardia
Heart block
Hypotension
What are the three main processes responsible for asthma symptoms?
Bronchospasm
Smooth muscle hypertrophy
Mucus plugging
How do you calculate ejection fraction?
Stroke volume divided by end-diastolic volume
What is a normal ejection fraction?
Over 50%
What is REFHF?
Reduced ejection fraction heart failure
What is PEFHF?
Preserved ejection fraction heart failure
Give some differentials for bilateral leg swelling
Drug reaction Heart failure Abdominal mass Obesity Renal failure Liver failure
Give some differentials for unilateral leg swelling
DVT
Trauma
Cellulitis (infective)
What blood results would indicate hepatic congestion?
Hyperbilirubinaemia
Elevated transaminases
Hypoalbuminaemia
What is the most common cause of REFHF?
Ischaemia heart disease
What is the most common risk factor for PEFHF?
Hypertension
What are the risk factors for PEFHF?
Diabetes Hypertension Obesity Age Renal impairment Lung disease
What type of heart failure do arrhythmias commonly cause?
Right or left or congestive
What type of heart failure does obesity commonly cause?
Left PEFHF
Where do you feel for the character of the pulse?
Carotid ie blood leaving the heart
What does a collapsing pulse indicate?
Aortic regurgitation
What does a slow-rising pulse indicate?
Aortic stenosis
How should you determine the rate in AF?
Listen at the apex
What do you look for in the hands in CVS exam?
Clubbing Splinter haemorrhages Tar staining Koilonychia Peripheral cyanosis
Do capillary refill!
What is a thrill?
Palpable murmur
What are the 4 main risk factors for IHD?
Smoking
Diabetes
Hypertension
Hypercholesterolaemia
Give a quick way of doing a systems review
Bowels OK?
Problems with water works?
Breathing problems?
Describe the typical pain caused by an MI
Dull, Central crushing pressure
Radiating to shoulder, arms or jaw
What is pleuritic chest pain?
Sharp
Worse on inspiration
Associated with shortness of breath
What is pericardial pain like?
Sharp
Improved by leaning forward
What is the pain of aortic dissection like?
Instant
Tearing
Inter scapular
May be retrosternal
What is musculoskeletal chest pain like?
Tender areas
Pain reproduced by movement
What is a Stoke-Adams attack?
Collapse without warning plus loss of consciousness for a few seconds
Usually due to third degree heart block
What features of syncope suggest a cardiac cause?
Chest pain, palpitations or shortness of breath before the event
What features of syncope suggest a CNS cause?
Aura
Headache
Dysarthria
Limb weakness
How does the recovery from a syncopal episode help diagnosis?
Cardiac - quick recovery
Seizure - prolonged drowsiness
What are the causes of slow palpitations?
Sick sinus syndrome
AV block
Occasional extrasystoles with compensatory pauses
What are the causes of increased stroke volume?
Valvular lesions
High-output states e.g. Anaemia, pregnancy, thyrotoxicosis
What are the causes of regular, rapid palpitations?
Sinus tachy
Atrial flutter
Atrial tachy
SVT re-entry tachy
What are the ECG signs of aortic stenosis?
P-mitrale
Left ventricular hypertrophy
What are the common bacterial causes of infective endocarditis?
Strep Viridans
Staph aureus or epidermis is
Enterococcus
What are the empirical antibiotics used for infective endocarditis?
Benzylpenicillin and gentamicin
What is the normal speed for ECG paper?
25mm/s
What does the T wave represent?
Ventricular depolarisation
What is the normal PR interval?
120-200ms
3-5 small squares
What is the normal QRS complex?
Less than 120ms
Ie 3 small squares
When is T wave inversion OK?
aVR
Isolated in lead III
How do you calculate rate from an ECG?
300 divided by RR interval (in large squares)
Which leads do you use to calculate the heart axis?
I and aVF
How do you check correct limb lead placement on an ECG?
Look at aVR - everything should be negative
What does atrial flutter look like on ECG?
Sawtooth P waves
What is the underlying rate in atrial flutter? Why is this not the true heart rate?
300
Too fast for AV node to conduct - there is either a 2:1, 3:1 or 4:1 block
What rates may be atrial flutter?
300
150
100
75
What is p-mitrale?
Left atrial enlargement
Bifid p waves
What is p-pulmonale?
Right atrial enlargement
Tall p waves
What does biatrial enlargement look like on ECG?
Tall and bifid p waves
When is 1st degree heart block significant?
PR >300ms
Another conducting disease is present eg BBB
IE with aortic valve involvement
What is Mobitz I?
Wenckebach
Progressive lengthening of PR interval until 1 QRS is dropped
P waves occur at constant rate
What is Mobitz II?
Intermittent failure of AV node to conduct atrial depolarisations to ventricles
What does complete heart block look like on ECG?
No relationship between p waves and QRS
Rate is slow, usually 30-50
What are the causes of complete heart block?
Coronary artery disease
Fibrosis of AV node or bundle of His
Drugs eg digoxin toxicity, diltiazem
What does a short PR interval indicate?
An accessory pathway
The impulse is not going through the AV node (where it would be delayed before reaching the ventricles)
What does right ventricular hypertrophy look like on ECG?
R wave > 5 mm in right ventricular leads
Plus right axis deviation
How can lead V1 be used to assess bundle branch block?
Major deflection up - Right BBB
Major deflection down - Left BBB
What are the principles of AF treatment?
Reduce thromboembolic risk
Control ventricular rate
Alleviate symptoms
How do you estimate stroke risk in AF?
CHADSVASc
What factors predispose to AF?
Hypertension Heart failure IHD Valvular heart disease Thyroid disease Excess alcohol Drug misuse Acutely unwell/periop
Define paroxysmal AF
Duration less than 7 days
Define persistent AF
Duration greater than 7 days
Define permanent AF
Duration greater than 7 days and resistant to therapy
What is the prevalence of AF?
1% general population
10% population over age 80
What is the rate in AF?
Can be fast or slow, depends on ventricular response
Irregularly irregular rhythm
Where do clots tend to form in AF?
Left atrial appendage
What is used for rate control in AF?
Beta blockers
Calcium channel blockers
Digoxin
Why is digoxin only used in sedentary patients?
It doesn’t allow the heart rate to rise physiologically
When is cardio version used in AF?
If acute AF is causing cardiovascular compromise
How can you reduce the frequency of episode of paroxysmal AF?
Beta blockers Class Ic (flecainide or propafenone) Class III (amiodarone)
What is consolidation?
Replacement of alveolar air by fluid, cells, pus or other material
What is air bronchogram?
Air-filled bronchus surrounded by fluid-filled or solid alveoli
What is the clinical equivalent of air bronchogram?
Bronchial breathing
In what conditions do you get air bronchogram?
Consolidation eg pneumonia
Collapse
Pulmonary oedema
In acute asthma, what monitoring should be done?
Continuous pulse of, ECG and blood pressure
What is the medical management of acute asthma?
Nebulised salbutamol 5mg (every 15-30min) Oral prednisolone 40mg Nebulised Ipratropium 0.5mg (4-6hrly) IV magnesium sulfate IV aminophylline (senior)
What are the main inflammatory cells involved in asthma?
Eosinophils and mast cells
What are the main inflammatory cells involved in COPD?
Neutrophils
What is the most effective bronchodilator in COPD?
Anticholinergics eg Ipratropium bromide
When is steroid treatment beneficial in COPD?
Acute exacerbation a
What is step 1 for asthma treatment?
Inhaled short acting beta 2 agonist PRN
What is step 2 of asthma management?
Add inhaled steroid 200-800mcg/day
Often start at 400mcg
What is step 3 of asthma management?
- Add long acting beta 2 agonist
2. Increase steroid dose up to 800mcg as appropriate
What is step 4 of asthma management?
Consider trial of…
A) increase steroid up to 2000mcg/day
B) add a 4th drug e.g. Leukotriene receptor antagonist, theophylline or beta 2 agonist tablet
When is step 5 of asthma management appropriate?
Continuous or frequent use of oral steroids
What is step 5 of asthma management?
Daily steroid tablet at lowest dose providing adequate control
Maintain high dose (2000mcg/day) inhaled steroid
Refer to specialist care
What are the common precipitating factors for asthma?
Allergens Viral infections Occupational factors eg solder fumes, flour Drugs eg beta blockers and NSAIDs Others eg cold air, exercise, emotion
Define type 2 respiratory failure
PaO2 6.5kPa
What is the mechanism behind type 2 respiratory failure?
Ventilatory failure
What are the pulmonary causes of type 2 respiratory failure?
COPD Asthma Fibrosis OSA Pneumonia
What may cause a decreased respiratory drive?
CNS trauma
Sedative drugs
Trauma
What neuromuscular problems can cause type 2 resp failure?
Cervical cord lesions
Guillain-Barre
Myasthenia gravis
Diaphragm paralysis
What is the underlying reason for type I respiratory failure?
V/Q mismatch
What are the causes of type I resp failure?
PE
Pulmonary oedema
Pneumonia
Acute severe asthma
When is CPAP used in type I resp failure?
When pO2 remains less than 8kPa despite 60% O2
What is the difference between CPAP and NIV?
CPAP is constant pressure and so not a form of ventilators support
NIV has 2 pressures (one inspiratory and one expiratory) and is a form of ventilatory support
What are the clinical features of hypoxia?
Cyanosis
Confusion
Restlessness and agitation
Shortness of breath
What are the clinical features of hypercapnia?
Drowsiness Tremor Headache Confusion Peripheral vasodilatation Papilloedema Tachycardia Bounding pulse
What are the risk factors for PE?
Surgery Obs: late pregnancy, C-section Lower limb fracture Varicose veins Malignancy Reduced mobility Previous proven VTE
When is D dimer increased?
Thrombosis Inflammation Post-op Infection Malignancy
What are the symptoms of PE?
Pleuritic chest pain
Shortness of breath
Haemoptysis
What are the ECG signs of PE?
Sinus tachy RV strain pattern in V1-3 Right axis deviation RBBB AF Deep S wave in I Q waves in III Inverted T waves in III
What are the clinical signs of PE?
Pyrexia Cyanosis Tachypnoea Tachycardia Hypotension Raised JVP Pleural rub Pleural effusion
How do you manage a PE?
ABCDE approach Oxygen if hypoxia Fluid rests if hypotensive Morphine 5-10mg + metoclopramide 10mg Thrombolysis if massive PE HEPARIN: dalteparin 17,000units
When is thrombolysis considered for PE?
Hypotensive
Imminent cardiac arrest
Signs of R heart strain on CT/echo
Check for contraindications
What are the absolute contraindications to thrombolysis?
Hemorrhagic stroke/ischaemic stroke
What are the relative contraindications to thrombolysis?
Warfarin
Pregnancy
Advanced liver disease
Infective endocarditis
What are the complications of thrombolysis?
Bleeding Hypotension Intracranial haemorrhage Stroke Reperfusion arrhythmias Systemic embolisation/thrombus Allergic reaction
What are the causes of pneumothorax?
Spontaneous Chronic lung disease Infection Traumatic Carcinoma Connective tissue disorders
What does a pneumothorax look like on CXR?
Area with no lung markings lateral to the edge of the collapsed lung
What are the symptoms of pneumothorax?
Asymptomatic
Sudden onset sob
Pleuritic chest pain
Sudden deterioration of chronic disease
What are the signs of pneumothorax?
Reduced expansion
Hyper-resonance to percussion
Diminished breath sounds
Deviation of trachea in tension pneumothorax
When should you aspirate a pneumothorax?
If SOB, and rim of air>2cm on CXR
How should you manage a secondary pneumothorax?
Chest drain if: SOB, >50y, rim of air >2cm on CXR
IF criteria not met, aspirate and admit for 24h
Why is tension pneumothorax a medical emergency?
Pushes the mediastinum into the opposite hemithorax which compresses the great veins
Leads to Cardiorespiratory arrest if the air is not removed quickly
How do you manage a tension pneumothorax?
Don’t delay with a CXR
Wide bore needle & syringe into 2nd IC space, midclavicular line
Remove plunger to allow trapped air to bubble through syringe, using saline as a water seal
Alternatively, large bore cannula in same location
What are Light’s criteria?
Used if protein in pleural effusion is 25-35g/L
It is an exudate if any 1 of the following are true:
Pleural fluid : serum protein ratio>0.5
Pleural fluid : serum LDH ratio>0.6
Pleural fluid LDH >2/3 upper limit of normal
What are the causes of an exudative pleural effusion?
Infection
Inflammation
Malignancy
What are the underlying causes of a transudative pleural effusion?
Raised venous pressure
Hypoproteinaemia
What are the causes of raised venous pressure?
Cardiac failure
Constrictive pericarditis
Fluid overload
What are the causes of Hypoproteinaemia?
Cirrhosis
Nephrotic syndrome
Malabsorption
What are the clinical signs of pleural effusion?
Decreased expansion Stony dull percussion Reduced breath sounds Bronchial breathing above effusion Tracheal deviation Signs of associated disease
What are the symptoms of pleural effusion?
May be none
May be SOB and have pleuritic chest pain
When is a chest drain indicated in pleural effusion?
If symptomatic
Don’t insert drain until the diagnosis is well-established
What are the signs of pleural effusion on CXR?
Blunting of costophrenic angles
Meniscus sign
Where should a pleural effusion be aspirated?
One or two IC spaces below the top of the effusion
Just above the upper rib border
What are the criteria for scoring pneumonia severity?
Confusion
Urea > 7mmol/L
Resp rate > 30
BP
What does clear and colourless sputum indicate?
Chronic bronchitis
What does yellow-green sputum indicate?
Pulmonary infection
What does red sputum indicate?
Haemoptysis
What does black sputum indicate?
Smoke or coal dust
What does frothy white-pink sputum indicate?
Pulmonary oedema
What are the three most common causative organisms in CAP?
Strep pneumoniae
Haemophilus influenzae
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
What are the three most common organisms causing hospital-acquired pneumonia?
Gram negative bacilli
Staph aureus
Pseudomonas
Klebsiella
What antibiotics are used to treat CAP?
Amoxicillin
Clarithromycin
Doxycycline
What are the symptoms of pneumonia?
Fever Rigors Malaise Anorexia Dyspnoea Cough Purulent sputum Haemoptysis Pleuritic chest pain
What are the signs of pneumonia?
Pyrexia Cyanosis Confusion Tachypnoea Tachycardia Hypotension Pleural rub Consolidation: decreased expansion, dullness to percussion, increased tactile vocal fremitus, bronchial breathing
What are the clinical signs of consolidation?
Reduced chest expansion
Dullness to percussion
Increased tactile vocal fremitus
Bronchial breathing
What are the potential complications of pneumonia?
Pleural effusion Empyema Lung abscess Resp failure Septicaemia Brain abscess Pericarditis Myocarditis Cholestatic jaundice
What is the prevalence of angina?
In over 55s:
Men 12%
Women 5%
Describe angina
Heavy/crushing central chest pain
Pain on exertion
Relieved by rest of GTN spray
What is CCS class I angina?
Angina only during strenuous or prolonged physical activity
What is CCS class 4 angina?
Inability to perform any activity without angina - angina at rest
What are the non-modifiable risk factors for ischaemic heart disease?
Age
Male
Family history
Personal history of IHD
What is primary prevention?
Control or reversal of risk factors to prevent disease occurring
What factors exacerbate angina?
Cold
Exertion
Large meals
Stress
Why can angina cause breathlessness?
Ischaemic may lead to LV systolic impairment
Causes increased pressure in pulmonary vasculature
Leads to SOB
What is stable angina?
Pain brought on by exertion and relieved by rest or GTN spray, within 10 minutes
What things would make you worry a patient’s angina was unstable?
Increase in severity or duration of symptoms
Reduction of threshold for symptoms
What functional tests are used for angina?
Exercise ECG
Perfusion scanning
Stress ECHO
Perfusion MRI
What symptomatic therapies are used for angina?
Nitrates
Calcium channel blockers
Potassium channel blockers
Give an example of a calcium channel blocker used for angina
Amlodipine
How do beta blockers work in angina?
Reduce sympathetic stimulation of myocardium and reduce work load
How does aspirin work?
Anti platelet
Reduces platelet function to prevent progression of atherosclerotic plaques
When is PCI used in angina?
For pain uncontrolled by medical therapy
Describe PCI
Balloon used to force open narrowed coronary artery lumen
Squeezes the fatty plaque to one side
A stent is inserted to keep the plaque in position and maintain the lumen
What vessel is used for CABG?
Long saphenous vein or
Internal mammary artery
What is the incidence of STEMI?
5 people per 1000 in the UK per year