Cardiovascular Flashcards
What are the causes of AF and then split into cardiac and nomn cardiac
- S : sepsis
- M : mitral stenosis or regurgitation
- I : IHD
- T : thyrotoxicosis
- H : hypertension !
- Cardiac : HTN, myocarditis, IHD
- Non cardiac : sepsis, hyperthyroid, alcohol abuse
What are the symptoms of AF?
SOB
Palpitations
General fatigue
Dizziness or syncope
What might an ECG show in someone with AF?
- Absent P waves
- Narrow QRS complex tachycardia
- Irregularly irregular ventricular rhythm
What is a differential for AF?
- Ventricular ectopics : also shows an irregularly irregular pulse but they disappears when the HR gets past a certain threshold
- Normal HR on exercise = ventricular ectopic
What are the 2 treatment options for AF?
- Rate control
- Rhythm control
What is rate control in AF?
- Aims to reduce the HR to <100 to allow more time for the ventricles to fill with blood
- 1st line = BB (atenolol)
when would rhythm control be used for management of AF ?
- Reversible cause of AF
- Onset within 48hrs
- HF
- Still have symptoms despite rate control
What are the 2 methods of anticoagulation in AF?
- DOAC
- Warfarin
- DOACS - direct acting oral anticoagulants (apixaban, rivaroxaban and dabigatran)
What is the issue with warfarin as an anticoagulant?
- Requires close monitoring of the pts INR
- Warfarin is a vit K antagonist
- Vit K is needed for synthesis of certain clotting factors
- Warfarin therefor increases prothrombin time
- INR assesses how anti-coagulated blood is on warfarin by calculating PT time and comparing that to normal healthy patient.
- Target INR for AF pt = 2-3
- Warfarin is also affected by other drugs (e.g. antibiotics)
What score is used to assess the risk of stroke in pt with AF?
CHA2DS2VASc
- C : congestive heart failure
- H : HTN
- A2 : age (>75) - scores 2
- D : DM
- S2 : stroke or previous TIA (scores 2)
- V : vascular disease
- A : age (65-74)
- S : sex (female)
What score is used to assess the risk of a major bleed whilst on anti-coagulants ?
ORBIT
- Older age (>75)
- Renal impairment (GFR <60)
- Bleeding previously
- Iron (low Hb or Haematocrit)
- Taking antiplatelet medication
What is the cause of angina ?
- Narrowing of the lumen of the coronary arteries due to atherosclerosis.
- Stress = higher demand for blood and oxygen = less reaches myocardium of the heart.
What are the symptoms of angina
- Chest pain on exertion that may radiate to the left arm, shoulder, jaw or back.
- Relieved by rest of sublingual glyceral trinitrate
What are the principles of angina management ?
RAMPS
- Refer to cardiology
- Advise on diagnosis, management and when to call an ambulance
- Medical Tx
- Procedural or surgical interventions
- Secondary prevention
What are the 3 aims of medical treatment of angina ?
- Immediate symptomatic relied
- Long term symptomatic relief
- Secondary prevention
What is used for immediate symptomatic relief of angina and what is advised in regards to taking it ?
- Sublingual glyceral trinitrate (GTN)
- Take as symptoms start.
- Another dose after 5 minutes
- Another dose after 5 minutes.
- If still present - call an ambulance
What is given for long term symptomatic relief of angina ?
- BB or CCB
- If using CCB as monotherapy = rate limiting one (verapamil, diltiazem)
- If using both in combination, use a long acting dihydropyridine CCB (amlodipine, modified release nifedidpine)
What is given for secondary prevention of ACS
A : aspirin (75mg)
A : atorvostatin (80mg)
A : ACE (if DM, hypertension, CKD or heart failure also present)
A : already on BB
What 2 surgical interventions can be carried out in severe case of angina
- PCI ( catheter inserted into femoral or brachial artery, balloon and stent placed in area of stenosis).
- CAGB : open the chest and a graft vessel is attached to the coronary artery
What are the 3 main options for the graft vessel in CABG ?
- Saphenous vein (harvested from the inner leg)
- Internal thoracic artery
- Radial artery
What are the 2 benefits of PCI over CABG and 1 negative
- Faster recovery
- Lower rate of strokes as a complication
- Higher rate of requiring repeat revascularisation (further procedures)
What is pericarditis and it’s 2 most common causes ?
- Inflammation of the pericardial sac (idiopathic and viral - TB, coxsackie, EBV)
How does pericarditis present
- Pleuritic chest pain (worse on laying down and relived by sitting forward)
- Low grade fever
- Possible : cough, SOB
What can be heard on auscultation in pericarditis ?
- Pericardial rub
What is seen on an ECG in pericarditis ?
Global :
- PR depression
- Saddle shaped ST elevation
Reciprocal :
- ST depression and PR elevation in aVR
How is pericarditis managed ?
- Combination of NSAIDs (Aspirin/Ibuprofen) and colchicine.
- All pts should receive transthoracic echon
What advice is given to someone with pericarditis ?
- Avoid strenuous activity un til symptoms resolve or inflammatory markers return to normal
Give 4 other causes of pericarditis
- Autoimmune and inflammatory conditions (e.g., systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis).
- Injury to the pericardium - (e.g., after myocardial infarction, open heart surgery or trauma)
- Uraemia
- Hypothyroid
What is infective endocarditis
- Infection of the endothelium of the heart, usually affecting the valves.
What are the RF for IE
- Previous IE
- Structural pathology : congenital, prosthetic valves, HCM
- IVDU
- Immunocompromised (HIV, cancer).
- CKD (esp dialysis)
- Rheumatic disease
What is the most common cause of IE ?
- Staph aureus
How does IE present ?
- Onset of SOB, chest pain
- Longer history of non specific signs of of infection : fever, fatigue, anorexia, night sweats and muscle aches
What are the specific examination findings in IE ?
- New or changing murmur
- Splinter haemorrhages
- Janeway lesions
- Petechiae
- Osler’s nodes
- Roth’s spots on fundoscopy
What are 2 features seen in long standing IE ?
Splenomegaly
Finger clubbing
What criteria is used for diagnosis IE?
- Modified Duke’s criteria
(One major plus three minor criteria OR Five minor criteria)
What are the major criteria in the diagnosis of IE ?
- Persistently positive blood cultures
- Specific imaging findings (e.g., a vegetation seen on the echocardiogram)
What are the minor criteria in diagnosing IE?
- Predisposing heart condition or IVDU
- Vascular phenomena (e.g., splenic infarction, intracranial haemorrhage and Janeway lesions)
- Immunological phenomena (e.g., Osler’s nodes, Roth spots and glomerulonephritis)
- Microbiological phenomena (e.g., positive cultures not qualifying as a major criterion)
What Ix are used in IE?
- Blood cultures : Three blood culture samples separated by at least 6 hours and taken from different sites.
- Echo (TOE)
What is the initial blind therapy for native valve IE
- IV amoxacillin +/- low dose gentamicin for 4 weeks
- If pen allergic or MRSA = IV vancomycin + low dose gent
What is the initial blind therapy for prosthetic valve IE ?
- IV Vancomycin + rifampicin + low-dose gentamicin for 6 weeks
How is proven staphlococci native IE managed ?
- IV flucloxacillin
- Vancomycin + rifampicin if pen allergic
How is proven staphlococci prosthetic IE managed ?
- Flucloxacillin + rifampicin + low does gentamicin
What kind of genetic condition is HOCM and what does it cause ?
- Autosommal dominant, usually effecting b heavy chain of myosin in the sarcomere
- LV hypertrophy and interventricular septal hypertrophy leading the LV outflow obstruction
What are people with HOCM at increased risk of?
- Heart failure
- MI
- Arrhythmia
- Sudden cardiac death
If not asymptomatic, how might HOCM present ?
- On exertion : syncope, SOB, chest pain
What is heard on examination in HOCM ?
- Ejection systolic murmur (louder with valsalva manoeuvre, decreases on squatting)
- Pansytolic murmur due to MR
What are the management options in HOCM?
A : Amiodarone
B : BB / verapamil for symptoms
C : Cardioverter defibrillator
D : Dual chamber pacemaker
E : Endocarditis prophylaxis
What are people with HOCM told to avoid ?
- Intense exercise, heavy lifting and dehydration
- ACEI and nitrates as these decrease preload with worsens the LVOT obstruction.
What is an aortic dissection ?
Break in the tunica intima of the aorta, causing blood to pool in the tunica media
What are the RF for aortic dissection
- Increased pressure : HTN (biggest risk factor)
- Weak aortic wall : marfan’s EDS, aneurysms
- Male, smoking, poor diet, raised cholesterol
How is an aortic dissection classified based on the stanford system ?
- A : ascending aorta, before brachiocephalic artery
- B : descending aorta, after subclavian artery
How does an aortic dissection present ?
- Sharp chest pain radiating to the back
- Weak pulse in the brachial or femoral arteries
- Differing BP in left and right arm
What is the investigation of choice for an aortic dissection ?
- CT angiogram : shows ‘false lume’
- CXR can also be done : shows widened aorta/mediastinum
How is an aortic dissection managed SAQ ?
- Trigger emergency protocol (vascular surgeons, anaesthetics etc)
- Analgesia (morphine)
- BB (control BP and HR to reduce stress on aortic wall)
- Surgical intervention
How is a type A aortic dissection usually manged
- Control BP = IV labetalol + surgery
How is a type B aortic dissection managed ?
- BP control (IV labetalol) + supportive
What is the DeBakey system for classifying an aortic dissection ?
- Type I – begins in the ascending aorta and involves at least the aortic arch, if not the whole aorta
- Type II – isolated to the ascending aorta
- Type IIIa – begins in the descending aorta and involves only the section above the diaphragm
- Type IIIb – begins in the descending aorta and involves the aorta below the diaphragm
What are the complications of a backwards tear aortic dissection ?
Aortic regurg
Cardiac tampomade
MI - usually inferior due to RCA involvement
What are the complications of a forward tear aortic dissection ?
- Stroke
- Renal failure (compression of renal arteries)
What is a AAA?
- Dilation of the abdominal aorta with a diameter of >3cm.
What are the RF for a AAA?(6)
- Men
- Older age
- Smoking
- HTN
- FHx
- Existing CVD
At what age are men screened for a AAA and what is the follow up monitoring ?
- USS aged 65 yrs : vascular referral if >3cm. Urgent if >5.5cm.
- Yearly if diameter between 3-4.4cm
- 3 monthly if diameter between 4.5-5.4cm
What investigations are used to diagnose a AAA and then get more management info ?
- USS
- CT angiogram for more detailed picture
How does a AAA present ?
- Usually asymptomatic and is incidental or screening finding
- Non specific abdo pain
- Pulsatile and expansile mass in the abdomen
How is a AAA classified ?
- Normal : <3cm
- Small : 3-4.4cm
- Medium : 4.5-5.4cm
- Large : >5.5cm
How is the progression of a AAA prevented ?
- Modify reversible RF : stop smoking, better diet and exercise, optimising mx of HTN, DM and hyperlipidaemia
When is a AAA electively repaired ?
- Symptomatic
- Growing >1cm a year
- > 5.5cm in diameter
What are the rules around driving with a AAA?
- Patients must :
- Inform the DVLA if they have an aneurysm above 6cm
- Stop driving if it is above 6.5cm
- Stricter rules apply to drivers of heavy vehicles (e.g., bus or lorry drivers)
How does a ruptured AAA present
- Severe abdo pain, radiating to the back or groin
- Haemodynamic instability
- Pulsatile and expansive mass in abdomen
- Collapse
- Loss of consciousness
What are the modifiable and non-modifiable RF for ACS
- Non : male, increasing age and FHx
- Modifiable : smoking, hypercholesterolaemia, DM, HTN, Obesity
What are the symptoms of ACS ?
- Chest pain : radiating to jaw/arm
- N&V
- Sweating/clamminess
- Feeling of impending doom
- SOB
- Palpitations
- Lasts >15 minutes at rest
How is unstable angina classified for diagnosis ?
- ACS Sx for >15 minutes
- Normal troponin
- Normal / ECG changes (ST depression/T wave inversion)
How is a NSTEMI diagnosed ?
- Raised troponin +/-
- ECG : ST depression / T wave inversion
How is a STEMI diagnosed ?
- ECG : ST elevation / new LBBB block +/- raised troponin
How does a LBBB show on ECG
- Wide, downwards QRS in lead I
How does a RBBB show on ECG
- Wide, upwards QRS in lead I
What is the immediate managed of ACS before diagnosis ?
- C : call ambulance
- P : perform ECG
- A : aspirin (300mg)
- I : IV morphine (+ anti-emetic)
- N : nitrate (GTN)
How is a STEMI managed ?
PCI or thrombolysis
- If within 2 hrs of presentation = PCI.
- If not thrombolysis with streoptokinase/alteplase
How is a NSTEMI managed ?
- B : Base decision for PCI/angiography on GRACE
- A : aspirin (300mg)
- T : ticagrelor (180mg stat)
- M : morphine
- A : antithrombin with fondaparinux
- N : nitrate (GTN)
- O2 is sats below 95% in non COPD
What is the GRACE score for NSTEMI management ?
6mnth probability of death following NSTEMI
- 3% or lower = low risk
- > 3% = medium to high risk = urgent angiography with PCI (within 72hrs)
What are the 3 aspects of ongoing management following initial management of a MI ?
- Echo to check for functional damage
- Cardiac rehab
- Secondary prevention
what is involved in secondary prevention following an MI
- A : aspirin (75mg daily)
- A : atorvostatin (80mg daily)
- A : another antiplatelet (ticagrelor/clopidogrel)
- A : atenolol (or other BB)
- A : ACEI
- A : aldosterone antagonist (e.g. spironolactone - for those with clinical HF)
What has to be monitored for patients on both a ACEI and aldosterone antagonist ?
- Renal function : both increase the risk of fatal hyperkalaemia
Give 5 complications of an MI
- D : death
- R : rupture of septum or papillary muscles
- E : edema (HF)
- A arhythmia or aneurysm
- D : dressler’s
What is Dressler’s ?
- Pericarditis 2/3 wks after an MI
- Pleuritic chest pain, pericardial rub, low grade fever
- Global ST elevation or T wave inversion on ECG
- Tx : NSAIDs or pred if severe
What are the 4 kinds of MI
- Type 1 : A : ACS MI
- Type 2 : C : can’t cop MI (increased demand/reduced supply = severe anemia, tachycardia, hypotension
- Type 3 : D : dead my MI (sudden cardiac death or arrest)
- Type 4 : C : caused by US MI (due to intervention)
what are the non modifiable RF for CVD
- Men
- Older age
- Family history
What are the modifiable RF for CVD
- Smoking
- Raised cholesterol
- Obesity
- Poor diet and lack of exercise
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Poor sleep
- Stress
What medical co-morbidites increase the risk of atherosclerosis (5) ?
- DM
- HTN
- CKD
- Inflammatory conditions (e.g. RA)
- Atypical antipsychotics
Give 5 causes of HF
- IHD
- Valvular disease (AS)
- HTN
- Arrhythmia (common - AF)
- Cardiomyopathy
Give 5 key symptoms of left sided HF
- Exertional SOB
- Fatigue
- Chronic non productive cough
- Orthopnoea
- PND
Give 2 signs of left sided HF
- Coarse crackes at base
- Hypoxia
Give 3 signs of right sided HF
- Raised JVP
- Liver conjestion
- Pitting oedema
What 4 things are used for an assessment and diagnosis of HF?
- Clinical assessment
- NT-proBNP
- ECG
- Echo
What is seen on a chest X-ray in HF
- A : Alveolar oedema
- B : Kerley ‘B’ lines
- C : cardiomegaly
- D : dilated upper lobe vessels
- E : effusion
What is determined as HF with reduced ejection fraction
- <40%
- Systolic HF as there is an issue with pumping
How is HF with reduced ejection fraction managed ?
- A : ACEI
- B : BB (bisoprolol)
- A : aldosterone antagonist (spironolactone)
- L : loop diuretic (furosemide)
How is HF with preserved ejection fraction managed ?
- A : ACEI
- A : aldosterone antagonist
- L : loop diuretic (furosemide)
What can be added to control HF after ABAL ?
- SGLT2 inhibitor (dapagliflozin)
- Sacubitril with valsartan (entresto)
- Ivabradine
- Digoxin
- Hydralazine in combination with nitrate
- Cardiac resynchronisation therapy
What is HF defined as ?
- Clinical features of impaired heart function, specifically the function of the left ventricle to pump blood out of the heart and around the body
What is the new york heart association (NYHA) classification of the severity of symptoms related to HF ?
- Class I: No limitation on activity
- Class II: Comfortable at rest but symptomatic with ordinary activities
- Class III: Comfortable at rest but symptomatic with any activity
- Class IV: Symptomatic at rest
What are the 5 pricinples of management with someone presenting with HF
- R – Refer to cardiology
- A – Advise them about the condition
- M – Medical treatment
- P – Procedural or surgical interventions
- S – Specialist heart failure MDT input, such as the heart failure specialist nurses, for advice and support
What does the urgency and specialist assessment of HF depend on ?
- NT-proBNP result :
- From 400 – 2000 ng/litre should be seen and have an echocardiogram within 6 weeks
- Above 2000 ng/litre should be seen and have an echocardiogram within 2 weeks
What are the surgical interventions for HF?
- Implantable cardioverter defib
- Cardiac resynchronisation therapy (EF <35%)
- Heart transplant
What are the symptoms of someone with acute HF (5)
- Sudden worsening of SOB ( worse lying flat).
- Cough with frothy white or pink sputum
- Oedema
- Fatigue
- Reduced exercise tolerance
What are the signs of someone with acute HF? (6)
- Raised RR
- Reduced O2 sats
- Tachycardia
- 3rd heart soung
- Bilateral basal crackles
- Hypotension
What is the management of acute HF ?
- S : Sit up
- O : Oxygen - if reduced sats
- D : Diuretics - furosemide
- I : IV fluids stopped
- U : Underlying cause tx
- M : Monitor fluid balance
What 2 specialist medications can be used by ICU in the management of acute HF with hypotension ?
- Positive inotropes (dobutamine) = increases cardiac contractility and so increases CO.
- Vasopressors (norepinephrine) = vasoconstriction
What can of respiratory failure does HF cause
Type 1
4 H’s and 4 T’s of cardiac arrest
- H : hypoxia
- H : hypothermia
- H : hypovolaemia
- H : hyperkalaemia, hypoglycaemia
- T : Thrombosis
- T : Toxins
- T : Tamponade
- T : Tension pneumothorax
Diagnosis of HTN
- Above 140/90 clinical
- Confirmed with above 135/85 ambulatory or home readings
Secondary causes of HTN
ROPED
- R : Renal disease (most common)
- O : Obesity
- P : Pregnancy
- E : Endocrine
- D : Drugs (alcohol, steroids, NSAIDs, oestrogen, liquorice)
Complications of HTN
- Renal failure
- Stroke
- Heart failure
Stages of HTN
- 1 >140/90 (135/85)
- 2 >160/100 (150/95)
- 3 >180/120
what should be calculated in all pts with a new diagnosis of HTN ?
- QRISK -> risk of stroke or MI in next 10 yra
- > 10% = offer 20mg atorvostatin at night
Management of HTN in <55 y/o or T2DM of any age or family origin
- ACEI (Rampiril)
- ACEI + CCB (Amlodipine)
- ACEI + CCB + TLD (Indapamide)
- ACEI + CCB + TLD + spironolactone if K+ <=4.5 OR Doxazosin/atenolol if >4.5)
Management of HTN in >55 y/o or Black African or African-Caribbean family origin
- CCB
- CCB + ARB OR LTD
- CCB + ARB + TLD
- Add spironolactone or alpha/BB depending on serum potassiujm
How do ACEIs work ?
- Inhibits the conversion angiotensin I to angiotensin II = vasodilation, reduced aldosterone release and so reduced sodium and water retention by the kidenys = reduced BP
- Also reduces K+ excretion, hence the risk of hyperkalaemia with ACEI
3 SE of ACEIs
- Cough
- Angioedema
- Hyperkalaemia
what should be checked be checked before initiating ACEI treatment ?
U&Es
5 SE of BB
bronchospasm
cold peripheries
fatigue
sleep disturbances, including nightmares
erectile dysfunction
Contraindications to BB
- uncontrolled heart failure
- asthma
- sick sinus syndrome
- concurrent verapamil use: may precipitate severe bradycardia
Treatment targets in HTN
- <80 = <140/90
- > 80 = <150/90
What is malignant HTN and what immediate investigation is required
- BP >180/120 with retinal haemorrhages or papilloedema (swelling of the optic disc)
- Same day referral for fundoscopy
3 causes of aortic stenosis
- Idiopathic-age related calcification : most likely cause if >65.
- Biscuspid aortic valve : Most likely cause if <65
- Rheuamtic disease
Murmur in aortic stenosis
- Harsh ejection systolic -> 2nd intercostal space, right sternal border
- Loudest leaning forward on end expiration
- Cresecendo descendo
- Radiates to the carotids
Other signs of aortic stenosis on examination (4)
- Slow rising pulse
- Narrow pulse pressure
- Thrill or heave in aortic area on palpation
- Apex beat is heaving but undisplaced
Causes of aortic regurgitation (5)
- Idiopathic age-related weakness
- IE
- Bicuspid aortic valve
- Connective tissue disorders, such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and Marfan syndrome
- Rheumatic fever
Murmur heard in aortic regurgitation
- Early diastolic soft murmur
Other signs of aortic regurgitation on examination (4)
- Thrill in the aortic area on palpation
- Collapsing pulse = waterhammer pulse
- Wide pulse pressure (large difference between systolic and diastolic BP’s)
- Displaced apex beat
- Nail bed pulsation (Quincke’s sign)
what other murmur can be heard in aortic regurgitation
-> Austin flint murmur
-> Rumbling, low-pitched mid- diastolic murmur heard at apex
-> Blood flows back over the mitral valve causing it to vibrate
Causes of mitral stenosis
- Rheumatic heart disease
- CHD
- Carcinoid syndrome
- SLE
- Mucopolysaccharidoses
Murmur heard in mitral stenosis
- Mid diastolic, low pitched “rumbling” murmur heard at the apex
- Loudest in the left lateral position
Other signs of mitral stenosis on examination (5)
- Tapping apex beat, which is a palpable but undisplaced
- Malar flush
- AF : irregularly, irregular pulse
- Loud S1
- Left parasternal heave
Causes of mitral regurgitation (5)
- Idiopathic weakening of the valve with age
- IHD
- Infective endocarditis
- Rheumatic heart disease
- Connective tissue disorders, such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome or Marfan syndrome
Murmur in mitral regurgitation
- Pan-systolic, high-pitched “whistling” heard at apex
- Murmur radiates to left axilla
Other signs of mitral regurgitation on examination
- Thrusting and DISPLACED apex beat
- Possible third heart sound
- Thrill at apex
- Wide splitting of the second heart sound
Causes of tricuspid regurgitation
- Primary (Valvular) pathology = congenital (Ebstein’s, cleft valve), carcinoid syndrome
- Secondary : pulmonary HTN, chronic left HF
Murmur in tricuspid regurgitation
- Pan systolic murmur with split second heart sound
- 5th ICS, left sternal border
Other signs of tricuspid regurgitation on examination
- Thrill in the tricuspid area on palpation
- Raised JVP with giant C-V waves (Lancisi’s sign)
- Pulsatile liver (due to regurgitation into the venous system)
- Peripheral oedema
- Ascites
Associations with pulmonary stenosis
Usually congenital :
- Noonan syndrome
- Tetralogy of Fallot
Murmur heard in pulmonary stenosis
- Ejection systolic loudest 2nd IC space, left sternal border
- Widely split second heart sound
Other signs of pulmonary stenosis
- Thrill in the pulmonary area on palpation
- Raised JVP with giant A waves (due to the right atrium contracting against a hypertrophic right ventricle)
- Peripheral oedema
- Ascites
Scar most commonly seen following surgery to valvular pathology
- Midline sternotomy scar = aortic or mitral velve replacement (Could indicate CABG)
- AS = most common valvular disease and most common in indication for sugery (followed by mitral regurgitation)
what do mechanical valves require ?
- Lifelong anticoagulation with warfarin
- INR target of 2.5-3.5
the ‘click’ heard with mechanical valves is heard when dependent on the valves replaced
- S1 in mitral valve replacement
- S2 in aortic valve replacement
3 major complications of mechanical heart valves
- Thrombus
- IE
- Haemolysis causing anaemia
Organisms commonly causing IE in mechanical heart valves
- Gram +ve
Staphylococcus
Streptococcus
Enterococcus
what is a narrow complex tachycardia and give 4 differentials
Definition : fast HR with a QRS complex duration of <0.12 seconds
- Sinus tachycardia
- Supraventricular tachycardia
- AF
- Atrial flutter
what is a supraventricular tachycardia and what is seen on ECG
-> Tachycardia not ventricular in origin
-> Narrow QRS complex tachycardia
-> The P waves are buried in the T waves = QRS complex followed by T wave, followed by QRS and so on
3 main types of SVT
- Atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia (re-entry point back through AVN).
- Atrioventricular re-entrant tachycardia (re-entry point is an accessory pathway).
- Atrial tachycardia
what accessory pathway is present in WPW syndrome, what is seen on ECG and what is the definitive treatment
- Bundle of Kent
- ECG :
~Short PR interval, less than 0.12 seconds
~ Wide QRS complex, greater than 0.12 seconds
~ Delta wave (Slurred upstroke in QRS complex) - Radiofrequency ablation of accessory pathway
Stepwise acute management of SVT
Step 1: Vagal manoeuvres
Step 2: IV Adenosine bolus
Step 3: Verapamil or a beta blocker
Step 4: Synchronised DC cardioversion
Management of acute SVT if life threatening features (syncope, chest pain, shock or HF)
- Synchronised DC cardioversion under sedation or general anaesthesia.
- IV amiodarone is added if initial DC shocks are unsuccessful.
What MUST be avoided in pts with WPW and possible AF or Atrial flutter ?
- Adenosine, verapamil, BB
- They block the AVN, promoting conduction through accessory pathway
- Therefore management is procainamide or electrical cardioversion
Examples of vagal manoeuvres used in SVT
-> Valsalva = blowing into 10ml syringe for 10-15s
-> Carotid sinus massage
-> Diving reflex
Explain how adenosine is given for SVT
- Rapid IV bolus into large proximal cannula (e.g. grey cannula into antecubital fossa)
- 3 attempts (6mg, then 12mg, then 18mg)
who must adenosine be avoided in
- Asthma -> risk of bronchospasm
- COPD
- Heart failure
- Heart block
- Severe hypotension
- Potential atrial arrhythmia with underlying pre-excitation
how can recurrent episodes of SVT be managed ?
- Long-term medication (e.g., beta blockers, calcium channel blockers or amiodarone)
- Radiofrequency ablation
what is a broad complex tachycardia and 4 possible causes ?
Definition : fast HR with QRS >012s
- Ventricular tachycardia or unclear cause (treated with IV amiodarone)
- Polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, such as torsades de pointes (treated with IV magnesium)
- Atrial fibrillation with bundle branch block (treated as AF)
- Supraventricular tachycardia with bundle branch block (treated as SVT)
what is seen on ECG in atrial flutter ?
Sawtooth appearance
what does prolonged QT mean is occurring in the heart and what can cause it ?
- Prolonged repolarisation of myocytes after contraction
- Torsades de pointes
- Long QT syndrome (an inherited condition)
- Medications, such as antipsychotics, citalopram, flecainide, sotalol, amiodarone and macrolide antibiotics
- Electrolyte imbalances, such as hypokalaemia, hypomagnesaemia and hypocalcaemia
acute management of torsades de pointes
- Correcting the underlying cause (e.g., electrolyte disturbances or medications)
- Magnesium infusion (even if they have normal serum magnesium)
- Defibrillation if ventricular tachycardia occurs
what is a first degree heart block and what is seen on ECG
-> Delayed conduction through AVN
-> However, every P wave is followed by QRS as every atrial contraction is followed by ventricular contraction
-> Prolonged PR interval = >0.2 s
Mobitz type 1 heart block
-> Conduction trhough AVN takes progressively longer until it fails to lead to ventricular contraction
-> Increasing PR interval until a singular P wave is not followed by a QRS.
Mobitz type 2 heart block
-> Intermittent failure of conduction through the AVN
-> Usually a set ratio of P waves to QRS comnplex (e.g. 3:1)
-> PR interval remains normal
Third-degree heart block
-> Complete heart block = no relationship between P waves and QRS complex = risk of asystole
What is defined as bradycardia and give 3 causes
-> HR <60bpm
-> Medications (e.g. BB)
-> Heart block
-> Sick sinus syndrome (= any condition causing dysfunction in SAN - often idiopathi degnerative fibrosis of SAN).
4 conditions with a risk of asystole
Mobitz type 2
Third-degree heart block (complete heart block)
Previous asystole
Ventricular pauses longer than 3 seconds
Management of unstable pts and those at risk of asytole
- IV atropine (first line)
- Inotropes (e.g., isoprenaline or adrenaline)
- Temporary cardiac pacing
- Permanent implantable pacemaker, when available
How does atropine work ?
- Antimuscarinic medication
- Works by inhibiting the parasympathetic nervous system.
SE of atropine
- Pupil dilation
- Dry mouth
- Urinary retention
- Constipation.
How can the type of pacemaker be determined from an ECG
- Pacemaker intervention = sharp verticle line on all leads on ECG
- Line before P wave = lead in atria
- Line before QRS + lead in ventricle
- A line before either the P wave or QRS complex but not the other indicates a single-chamber pacemaker
- A line before both the P wave and QRS complex indicates a dual-chamber pacemaker
what is an atrial myxoma and 5 common features
-> Most common primary cardiac tumour : most occur in left atrium
- Systemic: dyspnoea, fatigue, weight loss, pyrexia of unknown origin
- Clubbing
- Emboli
- Atrial fibrillation
- Mid-diastolic murmur, ‘tumour plop’
- Echo: pedunculated heterogeneous mass typically attached to the fossa ovalis region of the interatrial septum
Brugada syndrome and its ECG changes
-> Autosomal dominant inherited cardiovascular disease that may present with sudden cardiac death
-> Convex ST segment elevation > 2mm in > 1 of V1-V3 followed by a negative T wave
-> Partial right bundle branch block
-> ECG changes may be more apparent following the administration of flecainide or ajmaline - this is the investigation of choice in suspected cases of Brugada syndrome
what is cardiac tamponade and 3 classical features
- Accumulation of pericardial fluid under pressure
- Beck’s triad (Hypotension, raised JVP and muffled heart sounds)
what is a characteristic of the JVP in cardiac tamponade ?
Absent Y descent
Dilated cardiomyopathy
- Heart muscle becomes thin and dilated.
- It may be genetic or secondary to other conditions (e..g, myocarditis, alochol, Coxsackie B virus, wet beri beri,, doxorubicin).
Restrictive cardiomyopathy
- Heart becomes rigid and stiff, causing impaired ventricular filling during diastole.
- Causes : amyloidosis, post0radiotherapy and loeffler’s endocarditis
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy
- Genetic condition where the heart muscle is progressively replaced with fibrofatty tissue.
- It becomes prone to ventricular arrhythmias.
- It is a notable cause of sudden cardiac death in young people, including high-performing athletes.
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy
- Rapid onset of left ventricular dysfunction and weakness.
- This often follows severe emotional stress, for example, the death of a long-term partner.
- For this reason, it is known as broken heart syndrome. It tends to resolve spontaneously with time.
3 symptoms of severe aortic stenosis
SAD
- S : Syncope
- A : Angina
- D : Dyspnoea
what 4 features of aortic sclerosis make it distinguishable from aortic stenosis ?
- Normal pulse volume and character
- Normal pulse pressure
- Apex undisplaced
- Softer murmur, less likely to radiate to carotids
When controlling BP in a pt >55. When would you consider an ARB over a TLD ?
If the pt has a diagnosis of gout
TLD can worsen the condition
Action and monitoring of amiodarone
- Blocks K+ channels
- TFT, LFT, U&E and CXR prior (Risk of PF/pneumonitis)
- TFT, LFT every 6 mnths
Atrial myxoma : what, where, murmur and echo
- Primary cardiac tumour
- Left atrium
- Mid-diastolic
- Echo : pedunculated heterogeneous mass typically attached to the fossa ovalis region of the interatrial septum
Criteria for adding ivabradine to manage HF
-> sinus rhythm > 75/min and a left ventricular fraction < 35%
Criteria for using sacubitril-vasartan as additional management of HF
criteria: left ventricular fraction < 35%
When is digoxin considered as additional management of HF ?
Coexistent AF
when is cardiac resynchronisation therapy used as additional management in HF ?
widened QRS (e.g. left bundle branch block) complex on ECG
INR 5.0-8.0 but no bleeding
Withhold 1 or 2 doses of warfarin
Reduce subsequent maintenance dose
INR 5.0 - 8.0 with minor blleding
- Stop warfarin
- Give intravenous vitamin K 1-3mg
- Restart when INR < 5.0
INR >8.0 but no bleeding
- Stop warfarin
- Give vitamin K 1-5mg by mouth, using the intravenous preparation orally
- Repeat dose of vitamin K if INR still too high after 24 hours
- Restart when INR < 5.0
INR >8.0 with minor bleeding
- Stop warfarin
- Give intravenous vitamin K 1-3mg
- Repeat dose of vitamin K if INR still too high after 24 hours
- Restart warfarin when INR < 5.0
Major bleeding on warfarin (e.g variceal, intracranial)
- Stop warfarin
- Give intravenous vitamin K 5mg
- Prothrombin complex concentrate - if not available then FFP*
what anticoagulation are pts awaiting PCI given ?
-> If not already on oral anticoag = Aspirin + prasugrel
-> Already on oral anticoag = Aspirin + clopidogrel
Reversal of dabigatran in bleeding patient (anticoag taken in AF)
idarucizumab
What should be administered during CPR if PE is suspected cause (e.g. large swollen calf noticed when initiating)
-> Thromvolytic drug such as alteplase
Explain what medications are used for rate control in AF
- First : BB (CI in asthma)
- Second : CCB (diltiazem, verapamil)
- Digoxin (only used in HF)
Likely causative organisim of endocarditis (five)
- History of prostatitis - strep faecalis
- Immunocamprimised - Candida albicans
- Poo dental hygiene - streptococcus mutans
- Prostetic valve - strep epidermidis
- IVDU - staph aureu (most common)
What is Takotsubo cardiomyopathy
Non ischaemic cardiomypathy associated with transient, apical ballooning of the myocardium -> often triggered by extreme stress
what are considered normal varients in athletes and so no intervention would be required?
- Sinus bradycardia
- Junctional rhythm
- First degree heart block
- Mobitz type 1 (Wenckebach phenomenon)
If starting a pt on a statin for primary prevention of CVD (20mg) what is the aim for reduction of non-HDL cholesterol ?
40%
If not, can increase to 80mg
what additional finding on a CT angiography would suggest that the aortic dissection was in the ascending over the descending aorta ?
- Diastolic murmur suggesting aortic regurg
management of acute pericarditis
ibuprofen and colchicine
Signs of dissection on CXR
- Widened mediastinum
Preffered investigation for suspected aortic dissection
CT angiography chest/abdo/pelvis
If unstable = TOE
Endocarditis caused by fully-sensitive streptococci (e.g. viridans)
Benzylpenicillin
ECG finding in IE suggesting the need for surgical intervention
PR prolongation
Suggests aortic root abscess
Name two complications of AF
- LV failure
- Sudden cardiac death
3 tests to investigate for en-organ damage in HTN
- ECG -> LV hypertrophy
- Fundoscopy -> hypertensive retinopathy
- Urine dip
Pt suffers a stroke and is found to have permanent AF. After being on aspirin for 2 weeks, they will be switched to daily clopidogrel. What else should they be prescriped for secondary stroke prevention
Apixaban
Explain the shocks given in VF
- A single shock for VF/pulseless VT followed by 2 mins of CRP
- If the cardiac arrest is wintnesses in a monitored pt then given 3 stacked shocks
What can adenosine cause and so the pt should be warned about it before administering ?
Chest pain
What guides surgery for AS
- Symptomatic = valve replacement
- Asymptomatic but valvular gradient >40mmHg with features such a LV dysfunction = consider suregry
If fibrinolysis is given for a STEMI as PCI could not be performed within 120 mins. What should be checked afterwards?
Repeat ECG is taken after 90 minutes and transfer for urgent PCI if ST elevation has not resolved
What is an important interaction with statin to cause myalgia and increased creatinine kinase
Clarithromycin / erythromycin
what can furosemide cause
Bilateral tinnitus and hearing loss (loop diuretics can cause ototoxicity)
if a PE is suspected but the CTPA negative, what is the next step in the management plan
Proximal leg vein USS
Echo findings in HOCM
MR SAM ASH
- Mitral regurgitation
- Systolic anterior motion of anterior mitral valve leaflet
- Asymmetric hypertorphy
ECG findings in HOCM
- Left ventricular hypertrophy
- Non-specific ST segment and T-wave abnormalities, progressive T wave inversion may be seen
- Deep Q waves
what 3 drugs should be avoided in HOCM
Nitrates
ACEI
Inotropes
Medications that can cause torsades de pointes
Macrolides
what anti-anginal medications do pts commonly develop tolerance too ?
Standard release isosorbide mononitrate
What electrolyte and urine derangement can bendroflumethazide cause
Hypercalcaemia
Hypocalciuria
what can hypothermia cause on ECG
J waves
Operations a midline sternotomy scar can indicate
CABG
Aortic valve replacement
Mitral valve replacement
Other scar seen in midline indicates a CABG
Saphenous vein harvesting scar on inner thigh
Artery and leads affected in each STEMI
- Anterolateral : I, aVL, V3-V6 (LCA)
- Anterior : V1-V4 (LAD)
- Lateral : I, aVL, V5-V6 (Circumflex)
- Inferior : II, III & aVF (RCA)
Reversal of digoxin in severe toxicity
Digibind