CARDIORESPIRATORY Flashcards
What are the red flag symptoms to ask in a patient presenting with CHEST PAIN?
- Sudden onset
- Duration more than 10 mins
- Not relieved by GTN
- Associated dyspnoea
- Exertional
- Weight loss
- New dyspepsia if over 55y
- Risk factors for PE
What are the risk factors for PE?
- Hx of VTE
- Symptoms suggestive of DVT
- Malignancy
- FHx
- Recent fracture/immobility/surgery
- Long haul travel
List as many differentials for chest pain as you can.
ACUTE
- ACS
- PE
- Tension pneumothorax
- Pericarditis
- Aortic dissection
COMMON
- Angina
- GORD
- Costochondritis
- Pneumonia
- Anxiety
- Hyperthyroidism
What are the 3 typical symptoms of stable angina?
- Chest pain/pressure lasting minutes
- Provoked by exercise or emotion
- Relieved by rest or GTN
What investigations should be performed in a patient with suspected angina?
- ECG - should be normal
- FBC
- Lipid profile
- TSH
- CT coronary angiogram = GOLD STANDARD
What is the management for patients with stable angina?
R - refer to cardiology
A - Advice (increase physical activity, lipid goals, diet modification, smoking cessation)
M - Medical treatment
(i) Anti-anginals = GTN spray, B-blocker or CCB, long-acting nitrate, nicorandil or ivabradine
(ii) Cardio-protection = aspirin 75mg + atorvastatin 80mg
P - procedural interventions = PCI or CABG
What are the ECG features seen in STEMI?
- ST elevation in at least 2 continuous leads:
- more than 2.5mm in V2-3 in men under 40y. Over 2mm if over 40y
- more than 1.5mm in women
- more than 1mm in other leads - New LBBB (W in V1, M in V6)
Apart from an ECG, what other investigations should you perform in suspected STEMI?
- Troponins - baseline + 6h after
- FBC - r/o anaemia
- U+E - prior to ACEi
- LFT - prior to statin
- Lipid profile
- TFT
- HbA1c
- CXR - r/o MI mimics
- Echo - assess functional damage
- CT Coronary angiogram - assess for CAD
What is the immediate management of STEMI?
Morphine as required Oxygen if SpO2 less than 93% Nitrates Antiplatelets - aspirin 300mg and ticagralor 180mg or clopidogrel 300mg Antiemetic - if N+V present
What reperfusion options are there for patients presenting within 12hrs of symptom onset?
- PCI - if available within 120mins of presentation to hospital
- Thromblysis - if PCI not possible within 120 mins.
- alteplase used
- ECG 60-90 mins post-thrombolysis
What is the on-going medical management for STEMI?
The 6 A’s
- Aspirin 75mg OD
- Another antiplatelet - clopidogrel or ticagrelor for up to 12 months
- Atorvastatin 80mg
- ACEi
- Atenolol (or other b-blocker)
- ARB
What are the lifestyle modifications you should counsel people on post-MI?
- Smoking cessation
- Reduce alcohol consumption
- Cardiac rehabilitation
- Weight loss
- Optimise management of other conditions
How do you differentiate between STEMI, NSTEMI + unstable angina?
STEMI will have ST elevation or LBBB on ECG
NSTEMI will have troponin rise + ECG will show ST depression, inverted T waves + pathological Q waves
Unstable angina will NOT have troponin rise or any new pathological changes on ECG
What investigations should be performed in suspected NSTEMI?
- ECG
- horizontal/downward ST depression more than 1mm - Trial GTN - 3 doses every 5 mins
- avoid if hypotension or RVF - Troponins - baseline + 6hrs after
- Creatinine Kinase
- FBC - ?anaemia
- U+E - prior to starting ACEi
- LFT - prior to statins
- Lipid profile
- TFT
- HbA1c - check for DM
- CXR - r/o pneumonia, oesophageal rupture, dissection, pneumothorax
What is the acute management of an NSTEMI? (HINT: BATMAN)
Beta blockers (unless CI)
Aspirin 300mg STAT
Ticagrelor 180mg or Clopidogrel 300mg
Morphine IV if pain
Anticoagulate = enoxaparin 1mg/kg BD or fondaparinux 2.5mg OD
Nitrates - GTN 1-2 puffs. Repeat every 5 minutes if required
What is the GRACE score? What is it used for?
Used for deciding on use of PCI in NSTEMI
- gives 6-month risk of death/repeat MI post-NSTEMI
- medium/high risk patients should be considered for early PCI (within 3-days)
What are the risk factors for developing pericarditis?
- Male
- 20-50yrs old
- Transmural MI
- Cardiac surgery
- Neoplasm
- Viral/bacterial illness
- Uraemia/on dialysis
- Systemic autoimmune conditions
What are the signs + symptoms you would expect in a patient presenting with pericarditis?
- Chest Pain
- central
- worse on lying flat/inspiration
- relieved by lying forward - Non-productive cough
- Myalgias
- Pericardial hub
- Muffled heart sounds
- Signs of RHF = fatigue, angle oedema
What investigations should you perform in a patient presenting with pericarditis?
Must R/O sinister causes of chest pain!!!
- ECG - upward sloping concave ST elevation (saddle shaped) with PR depression
- Troponins - may be slightly elevated
- ESR + CRP
- Serum urea - R/O ischaemic cause
- FBC - elevated WCC
- CXR normal OR water-bottle shaped cardiac silhouette
- ECHO - may show pericardial effusion, absence of LV wall motion
- Pericardiocentesis - if TB is suspected
How do you manage pericarditis?
Tamponade or sympomatic effusion = pericardiocentesis
Purulent:
(i) pericardiocentesis (confirms diagnosis)
(ii) IV Abx
(iii) NSAID
(iv) PPI - due to high dose NSAID use
(v) Exercise restriction
Non-purulent = NSAID, PPI, cochicine, exercise restiction, anti-viral therapy
What are the investigations for a patient with suspected PE?
Use PERC rule out criteria - if no criteria satisfied then PE unlikely
Wells criteria for PE:
- PE likely = perform CTPA
- PE unlikely = perform D-dimer
- ECG - sinus tachycardia, RBBB, RA deviation, S1Q3T3
- CXR
- D-dimer
- CTPA = GOLD STANDARD (V/Q if renal impairment)
- ABG - respiratory alkalosis
- Coag studies
- FBC
- U+E - before contrast used in CTPA
How is a PE managed? (i) non-massive PE (ii) Massive PE with haemodynamic compromise.
(i) Oxygen + Analgesia as required. Start LMWH before CTPA
(ii) Oxygen, morphine + anti-emetic, Thrombolysis (unfractionated heparin or alteplase if critically ill)
Check sBP
- if over 90mmHg = commence warfarin loading regime
- if under 90mmHg = commence rapid colloid infusion and ICU
What is the long term anticoagulation treatment for post-PE?
Use LMWH in women who are pregnant
- DOAC otherwise. Apixaban 10mg BD for 7-days then 5mg BD
- stop LMWH as soon as this started
Duration:
- 3-months if provoked PE
- Beyond 3 months if unprovoked PE or recurrent VTE or irreversible underlying cause (e.g. cancer, thrombophilia)
- 6-months in active cancer
What is the difference between primary + secondary spontaneous pneumothorax?
Primary = occurs in young people without known respiratory illness
Secondary = occurs in association with existing lung pathology e.g. infection, COPD, asthma, TB, abscess, sarcoid, fibrosis, CTD, malignancy
What investigations are required in pneumothorax?
- CXR: visceral pleura line typically identified
- BTS guidance for measurement = measure horizontally from lung edge to inside of chest wall at level of hilum - CT Thorax: can detect small pneumothoraces
How are spontaneous pneumothoraces managed?
- PRIMARY SPONTANEOUS + UNDER 50Y
(i) Visible rim under 2cm + no SOB = supplemental oxygen + observation
(ii) Visible rim over 2cm OR SOB = percutaneous aspiration and reassessment
- if aspiration fails twice, then a chest drain will be required - SECONDARY SPONTANEOUS OR OVER 50Y
(i) Rim under 1cm + no SOB = supplemental O2 + observe
(ii) Rim 1-2cm + no SOB = supplemental O2, percutaneous aspiration
(iii) Rim over 2cm or SOB = chest drain
How is a tension pneumothorax treated?
Treat before CXR
- Insert large bore cannula into 2nd ICS mid-clavicular line
- Attach syringe half-filled with saline and remove plunger
- Chest drain provides definitive management
What are some risk factors for developing GORD?
- FHx of heartburn/GORD
- Older age
- Hiatus hernia
- Obesity
- Zollinger-Ellison
- Pregnancy
- Alcohol + smoking
- Drugs = TCAs, anticholinergics, nitrates
What are the red flag ALARMS symptoms?
A - anaemia (IDA) L - Loss of weight A - Anorexia R - Recent onset/progressive symptoms M - Malaena/haematemesis S - Swallowing difficulty
When should a pt be referred on a 2ww for urgent endoscopy?
1. Dyspgagia OR 2. Aged over 55 with weight loss + any of: - upper abdominal pain - reflux - dyspepsia
What investigations should be performed in a patient with suspected GORD?
- PPI trial - if ALARMS symptoms are absent
- Endoscopy if over 55, ALARMS symptoms present or symptoms for more than 4 weeks despite treatment
- 24hr oesophageal pH monitoring is the GOLD STANDARD if endoscopy is normal
- Barium swallow - may show hiatus hernia
How is a patient with GORD managed?
- Initial presentation
- Standard dose PPI for 8wks
- Lifestyle = weight loss, avoid late night eating - PPI responsive
- continue standard dose PPI
- surgery = fundoplication (laparoscopic) - PPI unresponsive
- high-dose PPI + for further testing for 4 weeks
- try H2 antagonist if pt experiences nocturnal symptoms
What is Barrett’s Oesophagus? What is its significance?
Constant reflux of acid causes metaplasia from squamous to columnar epithelium in lower oesophagus
- pts will often experience an improvement in reflux symptoms with this change
Pre-malignant condition which risks development of adenocarcinoma of oesophagus => pts monitored with regular endoscopy
How are patients with Barrett’s monitored?
- No pre-malignant changes found:
- PPI + endoscopy with biopsy every 1-3 yrs - Pre-malignant/High-grade dysplasia
- Oesophageal resection
- Eradicative mucosectomy
- Mucosal ablation = epithelial laser, HALO, photodynamic ablation
What are the 2 types of hiatus hernia? Describe them. Which is most common?
- SLIDING = gastro-oesophageal junction slides up into chest. Reflux often occurs as LES is less competent. Constitutes 80% of hiatal hernias
- ROLLING = gastro-oesophageal junction remains in abdomen but bulge of stomach (usually antrum) herniates up into chest. Reflux is less common
What investigation is done to diagnose a hiatus hernia?
Barium swallow is best diagnostic test
How do you manage hiatus hernias?
- Lose weight
- Treat reflux
- Surgery:
- indicated if symptoms cannot be managed medically
- rolling hernias are repaired prophylactically due to risk of strangulation
Describe what happens in thoracic artery dissection.
Blood splits the aortic media with sudden tearing chest pain radiating to the back. A false lumen is created. As it extends, branches of the aorta are occludes sequentially
What are the types of thoracic aortic dissection?
Type A = Ascending aorta (2/3rds)
Type B = Descending aorta, distal to left subclavian
What are the clinical features you would expect in a patient with aortic dissection?
- Tearing chest pain which radiates to back
- HTN
- Hypotension as dissection becomes more severe
- Aortic regurgitation (from proximal dissection)
- No or non-specific ECG changes - non ST elevation seen in a minority
What is the immediate management for aortic dissection?
- Resuscitation
- CXR + ECG
- Confirm diagnosis by immediate imaging
- CT, MRI, TOE - Urgent vascular input!
- Crossmatch 10U blood
- Keep sBP <100mmHg with labetalol
- Urgent surgical stenting or repair
What are the red flag symptoms for patients presenting with palpitations?
- Associated with exertion
- Chest pain
- Collapse
- FHx of sudden cardiac death
What are some differentials for a patient presenting with palpitations?
CARDIAC CAUSES
= VT, AF, SVT, Ectopic beats
NON-CARDIAC CAUSES
= Anxiety, Hyperthyroidism, Phaeochromocytoma
What are some causes of atrial fibrillation?
SMITH:
- Sepsis
- Mitral valve pathology
- IHD
- Thyrotoxicosis
- HTN
Others:
- Hypokalaemia, hypomagnesaemia
- PE, pericardial disease, pre-excitation syndromes, cardiomyopathies
- Drugs
- Phaemochromocytoma
What investigations should you perform in a patient with suspected AF?
- ECG - absent P waves, narrow QRS, tachy, irregularly irregular
- 24h ECG - if presenting with paroxysmal AF
- FBC - R/O anaemia
- TFT - r/o thyroid disease
- U+E - r/o hypokalaemia
- LFT + coag profile - needed prior to anticoagulation
- CXR - signs of HF or valvular disease
- TTE - do TOE if needs further confirmation
What is the management of patients in AF who are haemodynamically stable?
Rate control 1st line unless:
- reversible cause for AF
- AF onset less than 48h
- AF is causing HF
- remain symptomatic despite rate control
Rate control options:
- B-blocker
- Diltiazem (avoid in HF)
- Digoxin - only if sedentary + elderly
If a patient with AF presents + is haemodynamically unstable, how are they managed?
- If onset less than 48h = IMMEDIATE CARDIOVERSION
(i) Give heparin
(ii) Cardiovert using either DC cardioversion or pharmacological = amiodarone (if structural heart disease), flecainide or amiodarone
(iii) Following cardioversion, if the duration of AF is confirmed as less than 48h, then anticoagulation is NOT required - Onset more than 48h = DELAYED CARDIOVERSION
(i) Anticoagulate for 4 weeks or perform TOE to exclude LAA thrombus
(ii) DC cardioversion
(iii) Anticoagulate for at least 4 weeks post-cardioversion
(iv) Review coag risk after 4 weeks
What scoring system is used to determine need for anticoagulation in AF?
CHADSVaS Score C - Congestive cardiac failure H - HTN A - Age: over 65 = 1, over 75 = 2 D - Diabetes S - Stroke or TIA Va - Vascular disease (IHD, PAD) S - Sex = female
Consider anticoagulation in men with CHADSVASc of 1 or more and in women with a score of 2 or more
What treatment is given for paroxysmal AF?
Flecainide = ‘pill in pocket’
What are the causes of atrial flutter?
PIRATES P - Pulmonary disease/embolus, pericarditis I - IHD, Idiopathic R - Rheumatic fever A - Anaemia, Age, Alcohol T - Thyrotoxicosis E - Elevated BP S - Sepsis, Sleep apnoea
What investigations should you perform in a patient with suspected atrial flutter?
- ECG - saw-tooth appearance, narrow complex tachycardia
- FBC - r/o anaemia
- U+E
- TFT - r/o thyrotoxicosis
- CXR - identify any underlying pulmonary disease
- ECHO - used to assess structure + function of heart
How is atrial flutter managed acutely if patient is (i) Haemodynamically unstable (ii) Haemodynamically stable?
(i) EMERGENCY DC CARDIOVERSION
- If they have symptomatic hypotension, CCF or MI
(ii) 1st = beta-blockers + anticoagulate
Treat co-existing disease process
Synchronised DC cardiovert if no response to pharmacological therapy
What is the on-going management for patients with recurrent atrial flutter or failed cardioversion?
- Catheter ablation of cavotricupsid isthmus
2. Anticoagulation
What are the common clinical features of SVT?
More likely in those with underlying heart disease
- Syncope
- Palpitations which start + end abruptly
- Fatigue
- Chest discomfort
- Tachycardia
What investigations should you perform in a patient with suspected SVT?
- ECG: narrow complex tachycardia, no visible P waves, pseudo R-waves
- 24h ECG
- Troponins - if chest pain present
- U+E
- FBC - determine if anaemia contributing to tachycardia
- TFT
- Digoxin levels if pt on digoxin
- CXR
- ECHO
What is the acute management of patients with SVT who are haemodynamically (i) unstable + (ii) stable?
(i) DC Cardiovert!
(ii) Vagal manoeuvres (valsalva, carotid sinus massage), Adenosine IV 6mg - 12mg - 12mg (CI in asthmatics, use verapamil), then if still SVT electrical cardioversion
What preventative treatment is used in SVT?
- Beta blockers
2. Radio-frequency ablation
How is Ventricular Tachycardia managed?
1) If pt has adverse signs e.g. sBP below 90mmHg, chest pain, heart failure, syncope then IMMEDIATE CARDIOVERSION is indicated
2) Pulseless VT = ACLS protocol, immediate unsynchronised defibrillation, CPR, O2, adrenaline
If stable + normal VT = Give amiodarone
How is heart block managed?
Stable = observation
Unstable or risk of asystole:
- Atropine 500mcg IV - up to 6 doses (3mg)
- Other inotropes e.g. noradrenaline
- Transcutaneous cardiac pacing
High Risk of Asystole (Mobitz type 2 + 3rd degree) = temporary transvenous cardiac pacing + then permanent implantable pacemaker
What investigations should be performed in a patient with suspected hyperthyroidism?
- TSH - suppressed (unless TSH secreting tumour)
- T3 + T4 raised
- FBC may have normocytic anaemia
- ESR may be elevated
- Deranged calcium + LFTs
Graves specific:
- TSH receptor antibody = present in 90%
- Anti-TPO = present in 70%
How do you manage patients with hyperthyroidism?
- Beta-blockers (labetalol) or carbimazole (agranulocytosis)
- PTU - small risk of hepatic reactions
- Radioiodine - must have no thyroid eye disease, avoid kids for 3 wks and avoid pregnancy for 6 months
- Thyroidectomy - risks damage to RLN + causing hypoparathyroidism
What is a thyroid storm?
AKA Thyrotoxic crisis
More severe presentation of hyperthyroidism presenting with pyrexia, tachycardia + delirium
Requires admission + close monitoring. Managed as for other causes of thyrotoxicosis
What is DeQuervian’s Thyroiditis? How is it managed?
Viral infection with fever, neck pain + tenderness, dysphagia + features of thyroid disease
- hyperthyroid phase followed by hypothyroid phase as TSH falls
- Self limiting. Manage with NSAIDs + b-blockers