Cardiothoracic Flashcards
What vertebral levels does the trachea start and end?
C6 - T5
Which structure forms the largest tributary of the coronary sinus?
Great cardiac vein
What organism is most likely to cause vegetations on heart valves?
Staphylococcus viridans
What murmur is heard in rheumatic heart disease?
Mitral stenosis
Mid diastolic murmur at the apex
Why do small cell lung cancers not usually undergo a lung resection?
Because they are usually disseminated at presentation
What type of lung cancers are most common in non smokers?
Adenocarcinomas
Situated peripherally
What is seen on an ABG in pulmonary embolism?
Hypoxia
Respiratory alkalosis due to hyperventilation
Where is the apex of the right middle lobe of the lung?
6th intercostal space, mid axillary line
Why should verapamil not be given in a broad complex tachycardia?
May precipitate ventricular fibrillation
What are the vertebral levels of the following:
Carina
Left main bronchus
Carina - T4/T5
Left main bronchus - T6
Where are the aortic, mitral and tricuspid valves located relative to the external anatomy?
Aortic - R sternal edge 3rd IC space
Mitral - L sternal edge 4th IC space
Tricuspid - R sternal edge 5th IC space
What is the transthoracic plane?
L4
- Bifurcation of the trachea i.e. the carina
- Aortic arch (inner concavity)
- Pulmonary trunk bifurcation
- Azygos vein drains into the SVC, arching over the right main bronchus
- Left recurrent laryngeal nerve loops around the aortic arch
- Thoracic duct moves from right to left hand side posterior to the oesophagus
- Ligamentum arteriosum
- Cardiac plexus (superficial and deep parts)
- Termination of the prevertebral fascia and pretracheal fascia
- Manobriosternal joint (angle of louis)
Contraindications for surgical resection of lung cancer?
Stage IIIb or IV (i.e. metastases present)
FEV1 < 1.5 litres is considered a general cut-off point*
Malignant pleural effusion
Tumour near hilum
Vocal cord paralysis
SVC obstruction
