Cardiovascular Flashcards
What is the lifespan of erythrocytes?
100-120 days
What is the average size of erythrocytes?
-6.2-8.2um length
-2-2.5um wide
Where are erythrocytes found?
-Blood
-Bone marrow
What is the hormone that regulates the formation of erythrocytes?
-Erythropoietin
-Can use recombinant erythropoietin to boost RBC production
Why can erythrocytes not repair themselves?
-They are simple cells
-Anucleate and have no mitochondria
What is a young red blood cell known as?
Reticulocyte
What does a red blood cell consist of?
-Membrane enclosing
-Enzymes of glycolysis
-Haemoglobin
Why can haemoglobin not be allowed to travel in the blood by itself?
It would clog up the kidneys
What makes up haemoglobin?
-2 alpha chains
-2 beta chains
-4 haem groups
-Overall quaternary structure
What does haemoglobin do?
What does it transfer to in muscles?
Carries oxygen from the lungs to tissues where it transfers oxygen to myoglobin in muscles
What does oxygen bind to in haemoglobin?
Oxygen binds to Fe2+ in haem reversibly
What are the 4 major blood types?
-A
-B
-AB
-O
How many red blood cells are produced each minute and where?
2-3 million produced and released from the marrow every second
What is the shape of erythrocytes?
Biconcave
Approximately how many antigens do red blood cells have on their surface and how many are blood group antigens?
-Millions of antigens on their surface
-Several hundred are blood group antigens
Why is the ABO system so potently antigenic?
The ABO system is so potently antigenic because the corresponding antibodies to each antigen occur naturally
In what type of inheritance pattern are ABO antigens inherited?
Mendelian pattern
Name 3 facts about the inheritance of the ABO blood group:
-Each group has 25% chance of production from alleles
-Genes code for enzymes rather than for the sugar itself
-Another gene also codes for the sugar base the ‘A’ or the ‘B’
What makes up the H antigen?
-Glucose
-Galactose
-N-acetylglucosamine
-Galactose
-Fucose
How are the blood groups made from the H antigen and what are they called?
-A or B antigen is added onto the H antigen
-O blood group just has a H antigen
-“h” antigen has no H antigen
-Above called bombay
What is the approximate number of ABO antibodies at what ages?
-Infants <3 months will produce little to no antibodies (maternal prior to this)
-First true antibodies will be >3 months
-Maximal titre at 5-10 years
-Titre decreases with age
What are ABO antibodies a mixture of?
-IgM
-IgG
Which type of antibody are mainly for groups A and B?
IgM
Why are ABO antibodies able to react at 37 degrees?
They have a wide thermal range
For each blood group, name:
-Red blood cell type
-Antibodies in plasma
-Antigens on red blood cells
How many different rhesus (Rh) antigens are there?
Over 45 different Rh antigens
Where is the genetic locus of rhesus antigen?
Chromosome 1
Name 4 things about rhesus antigens genes:
-Co-dominant
-2 genes
-RHD for RhD
-RHCE for RhC and RhE
Are rhesus antigens immunogenic and why?
-Highly immunogenic
-High proportion of D neg people will form anti-D if exposed to D pos blood
What two reactions can RhD antigens cause?
-Haemolytic transfusion reactions
-Haemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN)
What is HDFN?
-Haemolytic disease of foetus/newborn
-Rh D sensitisation most common cause
-Development of antibodies from sensitising event
What can HDFN cause?
Hydrops fetalis
How can you prevent HDFN?
-Detect mothers at risk
-Maternal-fetal free DNA
-Anti D prophylaxis
What is forward blood typing?
-Patient’s RBC
-Separate testing with anti-A and anti-B regent
-Testing with anti-D reagent
What is reverse blood typing?
-Patient’s plasma
-Test with A or B RBC
-Indirect Coomb’s test
What is an indirect anti-globulin test?
Testing donor RBC with recipient plasma to see if there will be a transfusion reaction
What is a direct Antiglobulin Test?
Detecting autoantibodies on the surface of RBC
What two types of blood can be given to a patient?
-Exact blood type
-Compatible blood type
When is DAT used?
-Patient with possible autoimmune haemolysis
-Transfusion reactions
-Detecting haemolysis due to fetal/maternal group incompatibility
-Can be positive for many other reasons - many not clinically significant
What blood type is this?
BD-
What blood type is this?
OD+
What ages of people can be first time donors?
17-65 year olds
Where are donors screened?
Donation centers
What factors are asked of donors on a pre-donor questionnaire and why?
-Highlight those at risk of infectious or transmissible disease
-Health, lifestyle, travel, medical history, medications
Whats the minimum body weight to donate blood?
Minimum 50kg
What is tested in selected donor bloods?
Test for anaemia in selected patients
What are exclusion criteria for donating blood?
-Temporary:
-Travel
-Tattoos
-Lifestyle
-Permanent:
-Certain infectious diseases
-Received a blood transfusion or organ-tissue transplant since 1980
-notified risk of vCJD
What are the two types of blood donation?
-Whole blood
-Apheresis - Blood is removed and separated externally and then the components not needed are returned
What are the mandatory tests for donated blood?
-Hep B
-HIV
-Hep C
-Syphylis
-Human T cell lymphotropic virus
-Groups and antibodies
What tests are done on some donated blood?
-CMV
-Malaria
-West nile virus
-Trypanosoma
What are the first 2 things done to donated blood?
-Whole blood donated into closed-system bags
-Blood spun to separate down to packed red cells/ buffy coat and plasma
What donors is plasma only kept from?
Male donors
What can plasma be frozen to make?
-FFP (fresh frozen plasma)
-Further processed to make cryoprecipitate
How are RBC processed?
-Red cells kept at ambient temperature for a short time
-Passed through a leucodepletion filter and resuspended in additive
What happens to buffy coats from donated blood?
Buffy coats pooled with donations of matching ABO and D type and then leucodepleted to make platelets
How are RBC stored and for how long?
-Stored at 4oC
-35 day shelf life
-Some units are irradiated to eliminate risk of transfusion-associated graft (lymphocyte in bone marrow) vs host disease)
What is an indication of RBC transfusion?
Severe anaemia (not purely iron deficiency)
What is the transfusion threshold for RBC?
-Haemoglobin <70g/dL or <80g/dL if symptomatic
-Transfuse 1 unit and re-check FBC (unless massive transfusion required)
What type of blood are available in certain areas of hospital (A&E, maternity)?
Emergency stocks of OD-
How many donations are most platelet units pooled from?
4 donations
How are platelets stored and for how long?
-Stored at 22oC
-Continuous agitation
-7 day shelf life if they are monitored for bacterial contamination
What are the indications for platelet transfusion?
-Thrombocytopenia and bleeding
-Severe thrombocytopenia <10 due to marrow failure (normal plt 150-450)
What is the platelet transfusion threshold?
-<10 x 109 if not bleeding and asymptomatic
-<30 x 109 if minor bleeding
-<50 x 109 if significant bleeding
-<100 x 109 if critical site bleeding (brain/eye)
-Part of a massive transfusion protocol
-ABO type still important as antibodies present in plasma still able to cause recipient red cell haemolysis
What is FFP derived from?
-Whole blood donations or apheresis
-From male donors only
What are exclusion criteria for FFP donation?
-Only patients born >1996
-Can only receive plasma from low vCJD risk (not UK plasma)
What is the different between single donor packs and pooled donor packs for FFP?
-Single donor have a variable amount of clotting factor
-Pooled versions can be more standardised
What are indications for FFP?
-Multiple clotting factor deficiencies and bleeding (DIC)
-Some single clotting factor iron deficiencies where a concentrate isn’t available
How is cryoprecipitate made?
-Thawing FFP to 4oC and skimming off fibrinogen rich layer
What is the dose and use for cryoprecipitate transfusion?
-Therapeutic dose is 2 packs each pooled from 5 donations of plasma
-Used in DIC with bleeding and massive transfusion
What is made from large pools of donor plasma?
Immunoglobulin (IVIg)
What is normal IVIg used for?
-Contains Ab to viruses common in the population
-Used predominantly in immune conditions such as ITP
What is specific IVIg used for?
-Chosen for selected patients
-Contains known high Ab levels to particular infections/conditions
-Anti-D immunoglobulins used in pregnancy
-VZV immunoglobulin in severe infection
When are granulocytes transfused?
-Very rarely as effectiveness is controversial
-Severely neutropenic patients with life-threatening bacterial infections
-Must be irradiated
Where do blood factor transfusions come from?
-Recombinant versions from the lab concentrated
-Reduces risk of viral or prion transmission
What are some examples of blood factor concentrates that are transfused?
-Factor VIII for severe haemophilia A
-Factor I (fibrinogen)
-Prothrombin complex concentrate
-Multiple factors
-Rapid reversal of warfarin
What 4 things ensure the safe delivery of blood?
-Patient identification checked
-2 sample rule (2 people take 2 samples at 2 different times)
-Hand-written patient details
-Blood selected and serologically cross-matched
What mistakes occur in blood transfusion?
-Most common is patient identification errors
-Wrong blood in wrong tube
-Less commonly - lob errors
-Blood transfusions delayed
-Too much blood transfused
How can blood transfusion be avoided?
-Optimise patients with planned surgical procedures pre-op
-Use of erythropoietin-stimulating drugs
-Renal failure and cancers
-Intra-operatively
-Cell salvage
-IV iron for severe iron deficiency
-Some patients may tolerate lower Hbs and if well not require transfusions at all
How safe are blood transfusion and why?
-Very safe
-Heavily regulated and monitored (SHOT,MHRA)
What are the potential risks of viral infections from blood transfusion of Hep B, Hep C and HIV?
-Hep B <1 in 1.2 million
-Hep C <1 in 7 million
-HIV <1 in 28 million
How is the risk of tranfusion-related GvHD reduced?
Risk reduced by leucodepletion and then even further by irradiation
Where are problems with blood transfusion most likely to occur?
After the blood leaves the lab - patient misidentification, over/under transfusion
What is the most serious haemolytic reaction?
-ABO incompatibility
-Rapid intravascular haemolysis
-Cytokine release
-Acute renal failure and shock
-Disseminated intravascular coagulation
-Can be rapidly fatal
-Can be acute or delayed (=>24 hours after transfusion)
What is the treatment for ABO incompatibility?
-Stop transfusion immediately
-Fluid resuscitate - A,B,C
What do haemolytic reactions need to be reported to?
SHOT
What type of contamination occurs most often with platelet transfusions?
Bacterial contamination
Symptoms of bacterial contamination of platelet transfusion:
-Occurs very soon after starting transfusion
-Fevers and rigors
-Hypotension
-Shock
-Inspection of the unit may show abnormal colouration/ cloudiness
What is TRALI?
-Transfusion-related acute lung injury
What causes TRALI?
-Ab in donor blood reacting with recipient pulmonary endothelium/neutrophils
-Inflammatory cells cause plasma to leak into alveolar spaces
What are symptoms of TRALI?
-SOB
-Cough productive of frothy sputum
-Hypotension
-Fevers
What is the treatment of TRALI?
Supportive treatment
What is TACO?
Transfusion-associated circulatory overload
-Acute or worsening pulmonary oedema within 6 hours of transfusion
-One of most common adverse events related to transfusion
Who is more at risk of TACO?
Older patients
What are symptoms of TACO?
-Respiratory distress
-Evidence of positive fluid balance
-Raised blood pressure
What is treatment of TACO?
-Careful assessment of transfusion need
-Limiting amount can help to avoid
Where are the erythropoietin gene and receptor?
-Chromosome 7
-EPOR - chromosome 19
What problems arise with RBC?
Anaemia causing hypoxia
What are the 2 types of anaemia?
-Hypo-regenerative - Bone marrow can’t produce enough RBC
-Hyper-regenerative - Increased destruction of RBC
What are the two groups of problems with RBC?
-Corpuscular - Inside RBC
-Extra-corpuscular - Outside RBC
What is polycythemia and what does it cause?
-Too many RBC
-Thrombosis
-Primary and secondary (caused by other things)
What corpuscular problems can occur with RBC?
-Membrane (spherocytosis, PNH)
-Haemoglobin (haemoglobinopathy)
-Enzymes (G6PD, PK)
What are extra-corpuscular problems with RBC?
-Reduced production
-B12
-Folate deficiency
-Increased destruction/loss
-Bleeding
-Haemolysis
-Auto or alloimmune
-Redistribution (hypersplenism)
What does this show?
Hb destruction product in urine
What can SCD cause and why?
-Rigid RBC
-Vaso-occlusion event
-Ischaemia
-Haemolysis
-Decreased NO
What can SCD cause in children?
Dactylitis
What chest condition can SCD cause?
-Acute chest disease
-Clinical or radiological evidence of consolidation
What are the symptoms of acute chest disease?
-Chest pain
-Fever
-Dyspnoea
-Cough
What is crizanlizumab?
-Binds to P-selectin
-Blocks its interaction with PSGL-1 on neutrophils and monocytes
-Prevents platelet aggregation, maintaining blood flow
-Minimize sickle-cell related pain crisis
What is the size of white blood cells?
-7-30um
What is the lifespan of WBC?
Hours/days/years
Where are WBC found?
-Thymus
-Bone marrow
-Blood
-Lymphatic organs
What cells make up the innate (non-specific immunity)?
-Neutrophil
-Eosinophil
-Basophil
-Macrophage
-Mast cell
What cells make up the adaptive (specific) immunity?
-CD4 T-helper cells
-CD8 T-cells
-B-cells
-DCa
What are humoral and cell-mediated immunity?
What is the lymphoid journey?
What are some WBC abnormalities?
-Neutrophil leukocytosis/ neutropenia
-Eosinophilia/ eosinopenia
-Basophilia
-Monocytosis/ monocytopenia
-Lymphocytosis/ lymphopenia
-Myeloid malignancies
-Lymphoid/plasma cell malignancies
When is cellular therapy/ CAR-T used?
When a patient would not respond to chemotherapy (failed 2 lines)
What is cellular therapy/ CAR-T?
-Take out patient’s T cells
-Genetically engineered molecule added to T-cells
-Genetically modified T-cells put back into patient which attack cancer
What is an allogenic bone graft?
-Chemotherapy destroys recipient’s bone marrow
-Graft from donor replaces stem cells
-Recipient immune system supressed
What tissues can an allogenic bone graft attack?
-Gut
-Skin
-Liver
-Lung
-(Acute or chronic)
-Can attack remaining malignant cells (+ve)
What can be given in addition to allogenic bone graft?
-Lymphocyte infusion from donor
-Kill donor haemopoiesis
What is BITE?
-Modify immune cells
-Link patient immune system to cancer
What is the term for the proportion of red blood cells in the blood?
-Haematocrit
-Normal is 0.45
What are the two phases of blood and their proportions?
-Cellular 45%
-fluid 55%
What proportion of the cellular component of blood is RBC?
RBC - 99%
What term describes the continous production of blood cells and platelets throughout life?
Haemopoiesis
In adults where does haemopoiesis occur?
Bone marrow
Where are reticulocytes found?
Bone marrow
-Adults - Axial skeleton
-Children - All bones
What is the normal haemoglobin level?
-12.5-15.5 g/dl
-Lower = anaemia (reduction in haemoglobin in blood)
How big are platelets?
2-5um
What is the average lifespan of a platelet?
7-10 days
What cells do platelets arise from and by what process?
-Megakaryocytes
-Exocytosis
where can you find platelets?
-Bone marrow
-Blood
What is the cytokine of platelets?
Thrombopoietin
What makes up a platelet?
-Plasma membrane
-Cytoskeleton
-Dense tubular system
-Secretory granules:
-Alpha (VWF, PF4, plasminogen)
-Dense (serotonine)
-Lysosome
-Prexisome
What are the 2 big groups of bleeding (clotting problems)?
-Platelet type (thrombocytopenia/thrombocytopathy)
-Haemophilia type
What are traits of PLT type bleeding?
-Hx of skin & mucosal bleeding (GI,GU)
-Early post-procedural bleeding
-Petechial rash
-VW disease, ITP, congenital thrombocytopathy
-Medication, liver disease, renal failure
What are traits of haemophilia bleeding?
-Hx of muscle/ joint bleeding, late post-procedural bleeding
-Large suffusions, haemotomas
-Haemophilia A,B,C
-Non-functioning coagulation cascade, platelet unaffected
What kind of rash do you see for PLT disorders and what do you watch for?
-Non-blanching petechial rash
-Watch signs of malignancy, liver disease, splenomegaly
What kind of rash do you see with haemophilia bleeding?
-Large suffusions
-Haematoma
-Likely haemophilia
What is the pathogenic classification of thrombocytopenia?
-Reduced production (reduced megakaryocytes)
-Congenital
-Acquired
-Increased destruction
-Immune (auto/allo)
-Increased megakaryocytes
-Altered redistribution
-Pseudothrombocytopenia
What is thrombocytopenia?
Low platelet count in the blood
What are congenital and acquired methods of thrombocytopenias?
Congenital:
-Adhesion - Bernard-Soulier (GPIb-IX-V), PLT type vWF(GPIb)
-Aggregation - Glanzman (GPIIb-IIIa)
-Secretion - Gray platelet (alpha granule), storage pool disease (dense granule)
-procoagulant activity
Acquired:
-Medication related
-Underlying disease
For risky procedures, what needs to be checked?
Platelet counts prior to procedure to see risk of internal bleeding
What are problems to tackle with some patients in terms of plasma?
-Liver cirrhosis patients are anticoagulating themselves - prone to bleed
-Procedures and anticoagulation are not safe in liver cirrhosis patients
What happens in normal haemostasis?
-Primary haemostasis
-Normal PLT count & function
-Coagulation cascade
-Normal procoagulants (PT, APTT) and anticoagulants
-(PC, PS, AT), normal FBG level and structure
-Termination
-Fibrinolysis
-Normal pro and antifibrinolytics
What happens in liver cirrhosis haemostasis?
-Primary haemostasis
-Low PLT count but vWF high
-ADAMTS13 very low, increased PLT activation to rebalance the low activation of platelets
-Coagulation cascade
-Low procoagulants (prolonged PT, APTT - except FVIII) and anticoagulants
-Low fibrinogen but prothrombotic FBG
-Termination
-Fibrinolysis
-Low pro and antifibrinolytics to rebalance the low procoagulants
Do liver cirrhosis patients bleed more?
-No
-They develop different systems to balance
-Most patients even with acute liver failure has normal haemostasis
What is under-used in liver cirrhosis patients?
-Thromboprophylaxis and anti-thrombotic treatment is underused which increases the risk of thrombosis
What is thrombocytosis?
High platelet count
What are the two type of thrombocytosis?
-Clonal
-Reactive
What are 4 causes of reactive thrombocytosis and some treatments?
-Bleeding/iron deficiency
-Infection/inflammation
-Hyposplenism
-Trauma surgery/haemolysis
-TREAT UNDERLYING CONDITION
What can cause clonal thrombocytosis and some treatments?
-MPN
-MDS
(JAK-2, CALR, MPL, BCR-ABL, 5q-)
-Increased risk of arterial or venous thrombosis
-TREATMENT: ANTIPLATELET, ANTICOAGULANTS, CYTOREDUCTION, VENESECTION, APHERESIS
What is blood plasma?
-Liquid component of blood that holds the cellular components of blood
-55% of blood volume
What is the composition of blood plasma?
-95% water
-6-8% proteins (fibrinogen, albumin, globulin)
-Glucose
-Coagulation factors
-Electrolytes (Na, Ca, Mg,HCO, CL)
-Hormones
-Carbon dioxide and oxygen
What is blood serum?
Blood plasma with clotting factors taken out
What are some plasma-derived blood products and their uses?
-FFP
-Human albumin
-Cryoprecipitate
-Fibrinogen
-Coagulation factor
-IVIG
What are some uses of plasma-derived blood products?
-Volume
-Massive transfusion packs
-Bleeding disorders
-Passive immunisation
-PEX
-Albumin replacement
What are the 4 main groups of bleeding disorders?
-Coagulation cascade
-PLT
-Vascular
-Inherited/acquired
When you asses someone for a procedure what clotting tests are used as standard?
-Prothrombin time (PT)
-Activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT)
(POOR TESTS)
In an ECG trace, what is the time value of:
-1 small square
-5 small squares
-1 big square
-5 big squares
-0.04s
-0.2s
-0.2s
-1s
What are the typical setting for an ECG trace?
-25mm/sec (speed)
-10mm/mV (voltage)
In an ECG trace, what is the voltage value of 1 big square?
0.5mV
What is a rhythm strip?
A copy of one of the leads for better examination
How can you calculate heart rate from an ECG?
-300/no. large squares in between each cycle
-Number of cycles every 10s x 6
What is normal resting heart rate and what are the names for high and low heart rate?
-60-100bpm
- <60 = bradycardia
- >100 tachycardia
What makes the ECG trace?
The summation of all of the action potentials across the heart
What do positive and negative deflections show in an ECG?
-Positive = current flowing towards the lead
-Negative= current flowing away from the lead
-0 = isoelectric point (no current)
What is the trigger point of the cardia cycle?
SAN
What is the fastest depolarising part of the heart?
-SAN
-Sets the pace of the heart
What conducts electricity from the atria to the ventricles and what is its function?
-AVN
-Has an in-built delay to allow the atria to fully empty their blood into the ventricles during their contraction
Where does electrical stimulation pass through after the AVN?
-3 bundles of His
-1 right
-2 left
What do purkinje fibres do
Spread the electrical activity throughout the ventricles
What is the P wave on the ECG?
-1st step
-SAN depolarises and spreads across atria
-Atrial depolarisation followed by atrial contraction
What phase of the cardia cycle don’t you see a wave for?
Atrial repolarisation
What does the isoelectric phase after the P wave show?
-Delay
-Current flows through the AVN
What does the QRS complex on an ECG show?
Ventricular depolarisation
What does the T wave on an ECG show?
Ventricular repolarisation
What is normal, regular PQRS complex referred as?
Sinus rhythm
What is it called when there is no P wave, can show as erratic?
-Atrial fibrillation
-Random atrial activity
-Random ventricular capture
-Irregularly irregular rhythm
What is it called when there if fluttering of atria (short circuit)?
-Atrial fluttering
-Organised atrial activity (300/min)
-Ventricular capture at ratio to atrial rate (2:1)
-Usually regular
-Can be irregular is ratios vary
What is the normal PR time interval and why?
-120-200ms
-(3 to 5 small squares)
-Small delay between atrial and ventricular contractions)
What can cause a long PR interval?
-Degeneration of conduction system
-1st heart block
-Delayed AV conduction
-Can lead to total heart block (stop)
What is the normal QRS time period?
-Less than 120ms
-(3 small squares)
What are the most common causes of prolonged QRS?
-Bundle branch block
-One of bundle of His working slowly
-Widening of the QRS due to different times of depolarisation of right and left ventricle
What is the normal QT time interval and why is it important?
-Men - 350-440ms
-Women - 250-460ms
-Measure of time of ventricular repolarisation
-Time from onset of QRS to end of T
What can prolong the QT interval?
-Congenital
-Drugs
-Predisposed to arrhythmia
How many leads are there on an ECG?
-12 lead
-Rhythm strip
What 3 leads are used on a 3 lead ECG?
I, II, III
What is the different between an electrode and a lead?
-Electrode:
-Physical connection to patients in order to measure potential at that point
-10 electrodes to record a 12 lead ECG
-Lead:
-Graphical representation of electrical activity at a particular vector
-Calculated by machine
-12 leads
-I-III, aVL, aVF, aVR, V1-6
When doing an ECG, where are the limb electrodes placed?
Arms and legs
What are the two types of ECG lead?
-Bipolar lead:
-Measures pd between two electrodes
-One electrode designated +ve and other -ve
-Unipolar lead:
-Measures pd between an electrode (+ve) and a combined reference electrode (-ve)
-Known as augmented leads
Which limb electrode is a neutral electrode?
-Right leg
-Not directly involved in ECG measurement
Describe lead I:
-RA = NEG
-LA = POS
-RA -> LA = POS deflection
Describe lead II:
-RA = NEG
-LL = POS
-RA -> LL = POS deflection
Describe lead III:
-LA = NEG
-LL = POS
-LA -> LL = POS deflection
Describe the triangle of leads I, II and III:
What angles are leads I-III?
-I = 0
-II = +60
-III = +120
At what angle should maximal degree of current flow in the heart?
-60 degrees
-Heart is offset at roughly this angle
What is the normal cardiac axis of conduction?
–30 - +90 in reference to lead I
-Away from this is axis deviation
What are the 3 unipolar limb leads and where are they?
-aVR
-aVL
-aVF
What are the angles of the 3 unipolar limb leads?
-aVR = -150
-aVL = -30
-aVF = +90
What is normal axis?
Lead I and II are both +ve
What does it show if lead I is +ve and lead II is -ve?
Left axis deviation
What does it show if II is +ve and I is -ve?
Right axis deviation
In what planes do leads I, II, III, aVR, aVF and aVL show?
Coronal (frontal) plane
In what plane do leads V1-6 show?
Transverse (horizontal) plane
What do the chest leads look at and which parts?
-Left ventricle
-V1+2 = Septal
-V3+4 = Anterior
-V5+6 = Lateral
What can problems in different chest leads tell us?
Which vessels of the heart are likely to be blocked that supply the corresponding part of the heart to that chest lead
What can an ST elevation signify?
Acute myocardial ischaemia
What do each sections that the leads represent correspond to in terms of vessels?
-Lateral - Circumflex artery
-Anterior - Left anterior descending artery
-Inferior - Right coronary artery
What portion of the heart do the three bipolar limb leads represent?
-I = lateral
-II = Inferior
-III = Inferior
What portion of the heart do the three unipolar limb leads correspond to?
-aVR = None
-aVL = lateral
-aVF = Inferior
What is the membrane of the heart muscle cell normally only permeable to?
K+
What is the membrane potential of a heart muscle cell usually determined by?
Ions that can cross the membrane
How is a negative membrane potential maintained in a heart muscle cell?
-K+ ions diffuse outwards (high to low concentration)
-Anions cannot follow
-Excess of anions inside the cell
-Generates negative potential inside the cell
What are the relative extra/intracellular concentrations of Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Cl-
How do myocyte membrane pumps maintain negative resting potential?
-K+ pumped IN cells
-Na+ and Ca2+ pumped OUT of cells
-Pumped against their concentration gradients
-This requires ATP for energy for active transport
How does this table show which ions will diffuse IN or OUT of the cell and which require active transport?
-Sodium and calcium have to be actively transported out of the myocyte
-Potassium would passively diffuse out of the myocyte
What does the graph of cardiac action potential look like?
What are the four stages of the cardiac action potential?
-4 = polarised (resting potential)
-0 = action potential/depolarisation
-1 = initial repolarisation
-2 = gradual repolarisation (plateau)
-3 = quick repolarisation
-4 repeats again (maintenance of resting potential)
What stage of the cardiac action potential is this?
Stage 4 - resting potential
What are the missing values and what does it represent?
-Stage 4
-Resting potential
What are the two protein transporters covered and what stage are they?
-Stage 4 (resting potential)
What stage of the cycle does this represent and what proteins are involved?
-Stage 0 (depolarisation)
What stage of the cycle does this represent?
-Stage 1 (initial repolarisation)
What stage of the cycle is happening here and what protein is involved?
What stage of the cycle does this represent?
-Stage 2 (plateau)
What is going on in this diagram and what protein is involved?
-Stage 2 (plateau)
What stage of the cycle does this represent?
-Stage 3 (repolarisation)
What is going on in this diagram and what protein is involved?
How does an ECG trace line up with the potential of myocytes?
QRS complex lines up with depolarisation
What is the wave of depolarisation of an action potential?
-Local depolarisation activates nearby Na+ channels (voltage gated)
-This causes a further influx of sodium ions
-This causes adjacent voltage gated sodium ions to open, causing further sodium influx