Cardiovascular Flashcards
Define atherosclerosis
Inflammatory process characterised by hardened atherosclerotic plaques in the intima of a vessel wall.
name 4 main constituents of an atheromatous plaque
- Lipids
- Cholesterol
- Lymphocytes
- Fibrous tissue
What is the primary cause of atherosclerosis?
Endothelial cell damage.
Outline the progression of athersclorosis.
- High levels of cholesterol damages endothelium.
- LDLs and inflammatory cells like monocytes and macrophages and T-cells begin to accumulate in arterial wall
- Macrophages try to break down, LDLs, turning into foam cells, which produce a LIPID CORE/FATTY STREAK
- This inflammatory reaction leads to tissue repair, so the smooth muscle proliferates forming a fibrous cap that encloses the lipid core.
does Tom have stinky feet?
yes
What are some risk factors for atherosclerosis?
age, gender, genetics, smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity.
Atherosclerosis - when the endothelium is damaged, what happens that leads to inflammation?
the accumulation of LDL-cholesterol in the artery wall, which leads to the activation of inflammatory cells
Atherosclerosis - Once the endothelium wall is inflamed, what will begin to accumulate? What does this lead to?
As the endothelial cells become damaged, they begin to accumulate fats, such as cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids. These fats oxidize and cause the formation of fatty plaques in the artery wall.
What medications can help treat Atherosclerosis?
statins - Lower Cholesterol
blood pressure-lowering medications
Aspirin
Anticoagulants
How does Aspirin help reduce cardiovascular disease? What type of drug is it?
It is a NSAID, can be over the counter, in cardiology, can act As an antiplatelet
It irreversibly blocks the formation of thromboxane A2 in platelets, producing an inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation.
What type of Drugs are
a) Clopidogrel and
b) GPIIba antagonists? What is their effect on the CV system?
a) P2Y12 receptor blockers - Drugs like Clopidogrel block the P2Y12 receptor to Reduce platelet activation
b) These block glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptors on their platelet’s plasma membrane and inhibiting fibrinogen binding - also reduce platelet activation.
*BOTH ANTIPLATELET
What do anticoagulants do? Give some examples
Anticoagulants work by preventing the formation of blood clots. They do this by *Inhibiting thrombin in the body that are involved in the clotting process
Eg Warfarin, Heparin
What is acute coronary syndrome (ACS)?
An umbrella term for a spectrum of disease caused by ischaemia
What are the 3 different diseases that fall under the term ACS?
STEMI- ST elevated myocardial infarction
NSTEMI- A non-ST elevated myocardial infarction can be shown by biochemical markers
Unstable angina- all the symptoms of ACS without biochemical or ECG markers
Describe the epidemiology of ACS
- Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in the UK
- 50% of deaths occur within the first 2 hours of symptom onset
- 15% of MI’s are fatal
- 300,000 cases per year
What are some risk factors for developing ACS?
Modifiable
- Age (strongest)
- Gender (male)
- Family history ]
Lifestyle
- Hypertension
- Diabetes
- Hyperlipidaemia
- Obesity
- Lack of exercise
- Smoking (damages endothelium)
- Alcohol
Describe how an atherosclerotic plaque forms
- Starts with damage to the endothelial cells of vessels, this can be by lipids, high BP. Changes in flow can cause. Aortic arch susceptible turbulent flow
- This results in accumulation of macrophages at tissue which when combined with lipids form foam cells
- This forms foam cells which secrete cytokines and result in immune activation and platelet aggregation
- This forms a fatty streak
- Over time this fatty streak will become a fibrous plaque as tissue and smooth muscle grows over it. This will narrow the lumen of the blood vessels
What two things usually occur that result in the symptoms of ACS?
- The fibrous cap of the plaque itself gets a superficial injury, and a thrombus forms on it
-In more advanced, unstable plaques, the fibrous cap completely ruptures, and not only can some of the contents escape, but blood can also enter the plaques, forming a thrombus within the remaining cap of the plaque.
This can result in lack of blood flow (ischaemia) which will in turn lead to infarction of the cardiac muscle if it occurs in the coronary arteries
What do platelets secrete which can further worsen an MI?
Serotonin and thromboxane A2 and this causes vasoconstriction in the area resulting in reduced blood flow to the myocardium, and ischaemic injury.
What are the key presentations of ACS?
- Chest pain (lasting longer than 20 mins) that can radiate to back, shoulder and arms
- Dyspnoea (shortness of breath)
- Pallor
- Diaphoresis (sweating)
What percentage of patients have silent MI’s (without chest pain)
30%
In which groups of people are silent MI’s most common?
- Women
- Elderly
- Diabetic patients
What are some signs of ACS?
Increase pulse rate, S4 heart sound - due to impaired left ventricle, hypotension, signs of heart failure e.g., oedema
What other symptoms can be experienced during ACS?
Nausea/vomiting, palpitations, dizziness
What would a STEMI look like on an ECG in the first few hours after symptoms present?
- ST elevation
- Tall t-waves
What would a STEMI look like on an ECG a few days after symptoms started?
- Inversion of T-waves and presence of pathological q waves
What would a NSTEMI look like on an ECG?
○ ST depression; this indicates a worse prognosis
○ Transient ST elevation
○ T-wave changes.
- Be aware that the ECG may be normal in more than 30% of patients.
How would you diagnose an NSTEMI with a normal ECG?
Perform a blood test. Troponin above the 99th percentile. Recommended to do 2 tests 2 hours apart and measure the difference
How would you diagnose unstable angina?
Symptoms of ACS without abnormal blood tests or ECG
What leads of an ECG represent the septal view of the heart?
V1 and V2
What leads of an ECG represent the anterior view of the heart?
V3
V4
What leads represent the lateral view of the heart?
V5
V6
Lead I
aVR
aVL
What leads represent the inferior view of the heart?
Lead II
Lead III
aVF
What are some differential diagnosis for ACS?
Aortic dissection
PE
Pneumothorax
Pneumonia
Pericarditis
Myocarditis
GORD
How would you manage ACS Pre-hospital?
Give oral aspirin and give opioid pain relief (as this will reduce sympathetic activation and lower blood pressure)
What would be first-line treatment for a patient with a STEMI?
- Angioplasty would be first-line treatment, the best results are achieved within the first 120 minuets of symptom onset
- Angioplasty involves either a balloon or coronary artery stenting (stenting associated with better outcomes)
How would you treat a STEMI if angioplasty was not an option?
If not available for STEMI use thrombolysis(Streptokinase, recteplacse or Tenecteplase) the sooner the better don’t give greater than 90 mins after the pain.
How would you treat a NSTEMI?
NSTEMI- refer to cardiology and angioplasty still often a good option (pci)
DON’T GIVE THROMBOLYSIS
What are some differntial for ACS?
Aortic dissection
PE
Pneumothorax
Pneumonia
Pericarditis
Myocarditis
GORD
Renal failure
What drugs would you use to manage ACS?
Drugs for long term management of ACS (Secondary Prevention)
- C – Clopidogrel – antiplatelets
- O – Omacar – Omega 3
- B – Bisoprolol – β-blocker
- R – Ramipril – ACE use before beta blocker in under 55’s
- A – Aspirin
- A – Atorvastatin – very potent statin!
MONA - morphine, oxygen, NO, aspirin
What are some lifestyle managements for ACS?
Increase in exercise – encourage regular daily exercise, and at least 30 minutes, 3x/week strenuous exercise
* Sex – Should avoid for 1 month after MI
* Travel – avoid air travel for 2 months
Reduction in weight
Reduction in alcohol intake
Dietary modification (reduced fat intake) – diet should be:
* High in – oily fish, fibre, fresh fruit and veg
* Low in – saturated fat
What is pericarditis?
Inflammation of the pericardium. The acute form is defined as new onset that lasts from 4-6 weeks
Describe the epidemiology of pericarditis
- Most common in young adults 20-50
- More common in men than women
What is most common cause of pericarditis in developing countries?
TB
Name some causes of pericarditis?
- Can be viral due to coxsackie B virus, Flu. adenovirus and echovirus V
- Can be due to an autoimmune disorder e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, IBS
- Can be Dressler’s syndrome
- Can occur after an MI
What is Dressler’s syndrome?
Delayed pericarditis as a result of a previous MI. Usually occurs between 1-4 weeks after. But can occur years later
How does pericarditis cause disease?
- Signs and symptoms as a result of inflamed pericardium. As it is highly innervated this is what results in the pain
How does pericarditis cause effusion?
When the pericardium is inflamed the chemical mediators result in an increased permeability of fluid thus resulting in effusion from the visceral pericardium
What are the key presentations of pericarditis?
- Chest pain that can spread to shoulders and neck often worse when lying down symptoms can relieve when sitting up
- Fever
- Pericardial friction rub (high pitched superficial scratching heard during systole)
Pain is also aggregated by breathing
What would an ECG show of someone with pericarditis?
- Saddle shaped ST elevation with PR depression
What tests other than an ECG would you perform on a patient with suspected pericarditis?
Serum troponin levels. Elevated in 50% of people. Correlates to extent of ECG change
How would you treat someone with suspected viral or idiopathic pericarditis?
NSAID, PPI and colchicine for 3 months
What is the benefit of giving colchicine?
Prevents the recurrence of pericarditis
What is cardiac tamponade?
Where fluid accumulates in the pericardial sac which puts pressure on the ventricles making it hard for them to expand and fill with blood
Can be fatal leading to a cardiac arrest
What can cause cardiac tamponade
- Traumatic injury
- Pericarditis
- Cancer
- Iatrogenic can occur after surgery
What are some symptoms of cardiac tamponade
- Tachycardia
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Pulsus paradoxes (systolic BP drops when breathing in)
What is Beck’s triad which is indicative of cardiac tamponade?
Hypotension
Muffled heart sounds
Raised JVP (jugular venous pressure)
What investigations would you perform for cardiac tamponade?
ECG, CXR, Echocardiogram
How would you treat cardiac tamponade?
Pericardiocentesis- can be performed in the emergency setting, this is using a long canula attached to a needle
Surgery- could make a pericardial window or pericardiectomy
Conservative- in a clinical setting closely monitored
What can acute pericarditis lead to?
Can become chronic pericarditis which over time will lead to constrictive pericarditis. This can lead to right sided heart failure
What is Infective endocarditis (IE)?
An infection involving the endocardial surface of the heart including the valves, chordae tendineae and sites of septal defects
Describe the epidemiology of IE
4-7 cases per 100,000 in general pop
15 cases per 100,000 in over 55s
50% occur in native valves, 50% in replacement ones. Becoming more common
What is the most common cause of IE in non-IV drug users?
Viridians Streptococci can be a result of poor oral hygiene
What is the most common cause of IE in IV drug users?
S.Aureus
What are the risk factors for developing IE?
Artificial heart valves, certain types of congenital heart disease, post heart transplant.
IV drug use
Describe the pathophysiology of IE?
- It typically develops on the valvular surface of the heart which have sustained damage secondary to turbulent flow.
- As a result, platelets and fibrin adhere to underlying collagen. Bacteraemia (bacteria in the blood stream) leads to colonisation of the thrombus which leads to further aggregation and a more mature vegetation
What are the key presentations of IE?
- Fever
- New heart murmur
What are some signs of IE?
- Clubbing
- Splinter haemorrhage
- Janeway lesions
- Splenomegaly
What are some symptoms of IE?
- Night sweats
- Shortness of breath
- Headaches
What would the first line test for IE be?
Echocardiogram to work out diagnosis and shows complications
What is the gold-standard test for IE?
Blood culture for infective organisms need to take 3 samples within 24 hours
What other tests would you perform for IE?
ECG, full blood count may show anaemia
How would you manage an acute presentation of IE?
flucloxacillin, gentamycin
How would you treat a subacute presentation of IE?
benzylpenicillin, gentamycin
How else would you treat IE other than with medications?
Surgery between 25-50% of people will be treated surgically . This will involve valve replacement
What are some complications associated with IE?
Acute heart failure, AKI, valve vegetation/rupture/fistula
Splenic abscess
What is the prognosis for untreated IE?
Close to 100% mortality
What is the prognosis of treated IE?
30-40% mortality
What is mitral regurgitation (MR)?
Failure of the mitral valve (between the left atria and ventricle) to close.
What % of the population have MR?
2%
What are the two types of MR?
Primary- which is a valve disorder
Secondary-which is due to left ventricular dysfunction
What are some of the main causes of acute MR?
Infective endocarditis
Acute rheumatic fever
Ischaemic muscle dysfunction
What are some causes of chronic MR?
Degeneration of the mitral leaflets or chordae tendineae, mitral valve prolapse, and mitral annular enlargement
What connective tissue disorders can cause MR?
Marfan syndrome
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
Describe the pathophysiology of MR?
- Blood will not be efficiently pumped out of the heart due to backflow of blood
- As a result the heart has to pump harder to produce the same stroke volume this will occur for 7-10 years and be asymptomatic
- Eventually the LV will become hypertrophied and it will lead to LV dysfunction
What are the key presentations of MR?
- Dyspnoea
- Pansystolic murmur that radiates to the axilla
- Hyperdynamic apex beat (misplaced)
What are some other signs of MR?
- Pulmonary hypertension
- AF
What are some symptoms of MR?
- Any signs of heart failure e.g., pulmonary oedema
- Fatigue
- Palpitations
What tests would you perform on a patient with suspected MR?
ECG- p mitrale bifid (two peaks) due to hypertrophy
Trans-oesophageal echocardiogram- used to asses the level of valve damage
How would you treat MR?
Conservative- lifestyle advice
Medical- control the signs and symptoms e.g., diuretics, treat the AF
Surgical- patients may require surgery either prosthetic or metal (longer term but requires anticoagulants)
What are some complications associated with MR?
AF
Pulmonary hypertension
Stroke post op
Left ventricular dysfunction/heart failure
What is mitral stenosis?
Mitral stenosis is a narrowing of the mitral valve orifice, usually caused by rheumatic valvulitis producing fusion of the valve commissures and thickening of the valve leaflets.
Where is mitral stenosis more common?
Oceania, south Asia and sub-Saharan Africa as rheumatic fever is more common
What is the main cause of mitral stenosis?
Rheumatic fever (strep A infection usually)
What are some other causes of mitral stenosis?
Can also be caused by congenital deformity of the valve, carcinoid syndrome, amyloidosis and calcification
Describe how rheumatic fever can lead to mitral stenosis =?
There is a sharing of antigens between strep A and ones found on the heart.
This leads to an immune response causing the wall of the valve to thicken
This first leads to regurgitation which develops into stenosis
Describe how mitral stenosis causes disease?
The orifice is usually 4-6cm in diameter.
The disease begins when it is less than 2cm in diameter as this happens flow becomes progressively impeded and pressure in left atria remains higher than in left ventricle as blood is unable to move between them
This leads to pressure being referred to the lungs and due to small end diastolic volume in the ventricle cardiac output is reduced
What are the key presentations of mitral stenosis?
Pulmonary hypertension
Dyspnoea especially when lying down
Haemoptysis
Chronic bronchitis like picture, and can cause hoarseness
What are some signs of mitral stenosis?
- Malar (blushing of cheeks)
- AF
- Mid diastolic murmur best heard on expiration
What is the gold standard test for diagnosing mitral stenosis?
Transthoracic echocardiogram
How would you treat mitral stenosis?
- Diuretics
- Balloon valvotomy
- Maybe warfarin
What are some complications of mitral stenosis?
AF
Stroke
Infective endocarditis
Define aortic regurgitation (AR)
Aortic regurgitation (AR) is the diastolic leakage of blood from the aorta into the left ventricle. It occurs due to inadequate coaptation of valve leaflets resulting from either intrinsic valve disease or dilation of the aortic root.
what is the epidemiology of AR?
Not as common as aortic stenosis or mitral regurgitation. Prevalence greater with men and increases with age
What is the aetiology of AR?
Can be caused by primary disease of the aortic valve leaflets or dilation of the aortic root.
In developing countries rheumatic fever is the most common cause.
In developed countries congenital bicuspid aortic valve(when two leaflets fuse together) or aortic root dilation is the most common.
Causes of aortic root dilation include Marfan’s syndrome, related connective tissue diseases, and aortitis secondary to syphilis, Bechet’s, Takayasu’s, reactive arthritis,
Endocarditis can also cause rupture of leaflets. Also aortic root dissection can cause acute AR
What is the pathophysiology of AR?
Acute AR is a medical emergency with high mortality which results in acute rise in left atrial pressure, pulmonary oedema and cardiogenic shock.
Due to back flow of blood from the aorta left ventricular volume increases. This causes systolic hypertension and LV hypertrophy and chamber enlargement. This will remain asymptomatic for decades will eventually result in symptomatic congestive heart failure.
Key presentations of AR?
Presence of risk factors, with a diastolic murmur (best heard when expiring)
signs of AR?
Collapsing water hammer pulse (rapid rise and a quick collapse)
symptoms of AR?
Dyspnoea, fatigue, weakness, orthopneic, pallor, tachypnoea
1st line investigation for AR?
Echocardiogram
Gold standard investigation for AR?
colour flow doppler
Other investigations for AR?
ECG, chest x-ray
Management for AR?
Acute AR - inotropes + vasodilators + urgent aortic valve replacement/repair
Chronic AR - Aortic valve surgery
Monitoring of AR?
patients need to be serially monitored based on the severity of AR, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and left ventricular (LV) diameters.
complications of AR?
Heart failure
Arrythmias
IE
Sudden death
Ischaemia
prognosis of AR?
Normal LV function reported as 96% whereas that in patients with reduced LV function is 62%
what?
here have a freebie on me
define aortic stenosis (AS)
AS represents obstruction of blood flow across the aortic valve due to pathological narrowing. It is a progressive disease that presents after a decades-long subclinical period.
What is the epidemiology of AS ???
Largely a disease for older people preceded by aortic valve sclerosis (thickening without flow limitation)
what is the aetiology of AS?
Calcification and fibrosis of the normal trileaflet valves is the most common cause of AS and accounts for 80% of cases in UK. Smoking, hypertension, LDL and elevated c-reactive protein
Bicuspid valves account for most other cases.
Rheumatic heart disease is common in developing countries
bonus point if you even know what aetiology means
Risk factors for AS?
(tom you didnt have anything for this so I googled it)
high blood pressure
abnormal lipids
diabetes
CKD
Genetic predisposition
Pathophysiology of AS?
Aortic calcification is no longer thought to reflect age-related wear and tear, and is recognised to be an active process.
valvular endocardium is damaged –> inflammation a bit like atherosclerosis –> calcification and fibrosis happens and valvular leaflets mobility is reduced –> stenosis
Over time this puts pressure on the LV –> LV hypertrophy –> systolic heart failure
(toms notes a lot more detail than this ask him if youre confused)
key presentations for AS?
Angina
Exertional Syncope
Dyspnoea
Ejection systolic murmur
what are some signs for the condition known to us as aortic stenosis but known to french people as sténose aortique?
Ejection systolic murmur best heart in aortic arch (right second intercostal space)
Slow rising pulse, with narrow pulse pressure (difference between systolic and diastolic) this is a sign of severe
Signs of heart failure, lung bases, pink frothy septum and oedema
symptoms for AS?
Signs of valve defect fatigue and dyspnoea
First line investigation for AS?
ECG-
L- LBBB due to calcification
L- left axis deviation
L- LVH
P- poor R wave progression
MED SCHOOL exam paper says echocardiogram ///
Le standard d’or (gold) investigation for AS?
Doppler echo-This can assess the actual gradient across the valve as well as check for co-existing CAD
differential diagnosis for AS (found on google tom didnt have notes)
Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.
Restrictive cardiomyopathy.
Constrictive cardiomyopathy.
Congestive heart failure with reduced ejection fraction
complications of AS?
If untreated
Angina present- 2 years
Syncope present- 1 year
Dyspnoea present- 6 months
What is the definition of hypertension?
A blood pressure above 140/90
What % of the population suffer from hypertension?
30-40%
What groups of people are most at risk of hypertension?
Black Africans and men
What are the main causes of essential hypertension (type 1)
- Idiopathic there is no one underlying cause
- Thought to be 40-60% genetically linked
- Other causes include environmental factors
management of AS?
Surgical aortic valve replacement
PLUS – long-term infective endocarditis antibiotic prophylaxis
CONSIDER – long-term anticoagulation if metal
CONSIDER – medical therapy
Name some environmental factors that can lead to hypertension?
- Obesity
- Sleep apnoea
- Alcohol intake
- Sodium intake
- Stress
- Insulin intake
What are some causes of secondary hypertension?
- All renal disease
- Endocrine diseases e.g., Cushing’s, Conn’s acromegaly
- Congenital disease
- Neurological diseases e.g., brainstem lesions and raised intercranial pressure
- Pregnancy- pre-eclampsia
- Drugs - Oral contraceptives
What is benign and what is malignant hypertension?
Benign- is the stable elevation of BP over many years (is still dangerous)
Malignant- is the acute and severe elevation of BP. If undiagnosed then it can lead to death within 2 years
What is classified as mild hypertension?
> 140 systolic or >90 diastolic
What is classified as moderate hypertension?
> 160 systolic or >100 diastolic
What is classified as severe hypertension?
> 180 systolic or >110 diastolic
What are the key presentations of hypertension?
Blood pressure above 140/90 and retinopathy
What are some key presentations secondary hypertension?
- Papilledema, flame shaped haemorrhage and cotton wool spots on eyes
- Also cardiac and renal symptoms e.g., chest pain
What are some other symptoms of hypertension?
- Headache
- Visual changes
- Chest pain
How would you diagnose hypertension?
Clinical BP of 140/90 and ABPM or HBPM of above 135/90
What other tests might you perform on patients diagnosed with hypertension?
- Bloods- HbA1c look for diabetes, creatinine and urea to asses renal function
- ECG/echo to look for ventricular hypertrophy
At what BP would you start a patient immediately on mediations rather than advising lifestyle changes
160/100 in clinic/ 155/95 in home monitor readings
What would the first-line treatment be for a 50 year old white man diagnosed with hypertension?
ACE inhibitor (Ramipril and enalapril)
What would the first-line treatment be for a 50 year old black man diagnosed with hypertension?
Calcium channel blocker (amlodipine) or thiazide diuretic if not CCB not tolerated
What are the 3 types of medication usually used to treat hypertension?
ACE inhibitor (first line in under 55)
Calcium channel blocker (first-line in over 55)
Thiazide diuretic (first line in over 55 if CCB not tolerated)