Cardiovascular Flashcards
Isolated systolic hypertension is defined as a systolic blood pressure > 140 with a diastolic < 90. What is the pathophysiologic mechanism leading to isolated systolic hypertension
-increased stiffness or decreased elasticity of the aortic and arterial walls in elderly patients
Renovascular HTN should be suspected in all patients with resistant hypertension and what other findings?
- diffuse atherosclerosis
- asymmetric kidney size
- Recurrent flash pulmonary edema
- elevation in serum creatinine > 30% from baseline after starting an ACEI or ARB
- The presents of a continuous abdominal bruit has a high specificity for the presence of renovascular HTN
Early diastolic murmur best heard along the LEFT sternal border (3rd and 4th ICS)?
Aortic regurg due to valvular disease
Early diastolic murmur best heard along RIGHT sternal bordner
Aortic regurg due to aortic root disease
The development of a new conduction abnormality in patients with infective endocarditis should raise suspicion for what?
perivalvular abscess extending into the adjacent cardiac conduction pathways
Acute pericarditis is characterized by what?
- Chest pain (sharp and pleuritis, improves by sitting up and leaning forward)
- Pericardial friction rub
- diffuse concave upward ST-segment elevations across precordial and limb leads on ECG
Mitral valve perforation can occur as a complication of mitral valve endocarditis. IT generally presents as what?
- Acute congestive heart failure
- systolic murmur of mitral regurg
The tricuspid valve is the most frequent site of endocarditis in IV drug users. This presents with what murmur?
- SYSTOLIC murmur: holosystolic murmur of tricuspid regurg that becomes accentuated with inspiration
- cardiac abnormalities are uncommon in patients with tricuspid valve endocarditis
All patients with new-onset Afib should be worked up for what endocrine underlying cause?
Hyperthyroidism
progressive prolonged PR interval leads to a nonconducted P wave (“group beating”)
Mobits type I second degree AV block (Wenckebach)
PR interval remains constant with intermittent nonconduction P waves
Mobitz type II second degree AV block
Level of block in Mobitz type I
Usually AV node
Level of block in Mobitz type II
Below the level of AV node (e.g. bundle of His)
What does exercise of atropine to to Mobitz type I?
Improves
What does exercise or atropine do to mobitz type II AV block?
Worsens
What do Vagal maneuvers (carotid sinus massage) do to mobitz type I AV blocks?
worsen
What do Vagal maneuvers (carotid sinus massage) do to mobitz type II AV blocks?
Paradoxically improves
Risk of complete heart block in Mobitz type I?
Low risk
Risk of complete heart block in Mobitz type II?
Higher risk, indication for pacemaker
What drugs can block AV node leading to Mobitz type I AV block
- digoxin
- Beta blockers
- CCB
Contrast the width of the QRS complex in a mobitz type II compared to Mobitz type I
can be wider
What is the most common cause of sudden cardiac arrest in the immediate post-infarction period in patients with acute myocardial infarction?
Reentrant ventricular arrhythmias (e.g. vintricular fibrillation)
describe the rash in toxic shock syndrome
erythematous and desquamating
Describe the management of chest pain due to cocaine use?
- Benzodiazepines for BP and anxiety
- Aspirin
- Nitroglycerin and CCB for pain
- Beta blockers CONTRAINDICATED
- Fibrinolytics NOT preferred due to increased risk of intracranial hemorrhage
- Immediate cardiac cath with reperfusion when indicated
Clinical features of Aortic dissection
- Severe, sharp, tearing chest or back pain
- > 20 mm Hg variation in systolic BP b/t arms
Current guidelines recommend the used of primary percutaneous intervention for any patient with acute STEMI within what time frame?
- within 90 minutes of the first medical contact in a PCI-capable hospital OR
- within 120 minutes for patients who require transport to a PCI-capable hospital from another hospital
This refers to a transient systolic dysfunction of apical and/or mid segments of the left ventricle with hyperkinesis of the basal segements, causing a “balloon-like” appearance of the left ventricle in systole. It is seen predominantly in older adults in response to intense physical or emotional stress or acute medical illness (eg, unexpected death of a relative, grave medical diagnosis, arguments, significant loss)
Stress induced (Takotsubo) cardiomyopathy (apical ballooning syndrome, “broken heart” syndrome)
This is the first-line therapy in conscious and stable patients with episodes of Torsades de pointes (TdP), which is a form of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia
IV magnesium
This is primarily used for the acute termination of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia
Adenosine
This is a class III antiarrhythmic, and is used both fro atrial and ventricular tachycardia. It is used occasionally in patients with polymorphic VT (and normal baseline QT interval) due to myocardial ischmeia or infarction
Amiodarone
This is used in the treatment of symptomatic sinus bradycardia or AV nodal block
Atropine
This is useful for patients with cardiotoxicity due to hyperkalemia. It is occasionally used in patients with beta-blocker and/or calcium channel blocker overdose
Calcium gluconate
Describe the different levels of hyperkalemia and what is seen on ECG
- 6 to 7: Tall peaked T wave and prolonged PR
- 7 to 8: Tall peaked T wave, ST elevation, Loss of P wave
- > > 8: Widened QRR (sine wave pattern, AV node block, Fascicle and BB blocks
This is useful in the management of patients with torsades de points due to quinidine use. IT is also beneficial in patients with cardiac arrest due to metabolic acidosis, hyperkalemia, and TCA overdose
Sodium bicarbonate
This is a class III antiarrhythmic agent that causes QT prolongation and Torsades de points. Patients being initiated on this therapy for other indications should be admitted to the hospital for serial ECG and cardiac rhythm monitoring
Sotalol
IV drug used with cough, fever, and weakness and numerous round alveolar infiltrates on chest imaging.
Tricuspid valve endocarditis with septic emboli to the lungs
Augmentation of intensity with inspiration was shown to have 100% sensitivity and **% specificity in differentiating what about systolic murmurs
differentated RIGHT sided systolic murmurs from all others
A fourth heart sound (S4) can be heard over the cardiac apex in the left lateral decubitus position in patients with what?
- reduced ventricular compliance (or increased stiffness)
- It can be heard in many healthy older adults and in patients with hypertensive hearts disease, aortic stenosis, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- An audible S4 is an abnormal finding in children and young adults
Aortic regurgitation causes an early and decrescendo diastolic murmur that begins immediately after A2 (aortic component of second heart sound). The murmur is high pitched and has a blowing quality. It is best heard along the left sternal border at the 3rd and 4th ICS when the patient is what?
-sitting up and leaning forward while holding the breath in full expiration
Standing from a supine position decreases venous return to the heart and worsens the dynamic gradient in patients with what?
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- This increases the intensity of ejection systolic murmur in these patients
Normal splitting of second heart sound (A2 and P2) is best appreciated during inspiration over the 2nd ICS. Paradoxical or “reversed” splitting occurs when A2 follows P2, with maximal splitting noted during expiration and being less pronounced during inspiration. This is seen in what patients?
-patients with fixed left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (eg, aortic valve or subaortic stenosis, LBBB, right ventricular paced rhythm)
Etiology of acute pericarditis
- Viral or idiopathic
- Autoimmune disease (eg, SLE)
- Uremia (Acute or chronic renal failure)**
- Post MI: Early: Peri-infarction pericarditis, Late: Dressler syndrome
Clinical features and diagnosis of Acute pericarditis
- Pleuritic chest pain (decreases when sitting up) +/- fever
- Pericardial friction rub (highly specific)
- ECG: diffuse ST elevation and PR depression
- Echo: pericardial effusion
in Uremic pericarditis, elevated levels of BUN above what level can lead to inflammation of the visceral and parietal layers of the pericardium
> 60
Describe the sound of the pericardial friction rub heard on cardiac ausculation in pericarditis
- high frequency grating or squeaking sound best heard at the left sternal border with the patient leaning forward
- may occur during systole, diastole, or both
Describe how Uremic pericarditis differs from other etiologies on ECG and why
- Does NOT typically cause diffuse ST elevation (or PR depression)
- The inflammation does not affect the myocardium
Viral pleurisy is an inflammation of the lung pleura that typically presents with fever and pleuritis chest pain. A pleural friction rub may be present and is differentiated from a pericardial friction rub by what?
disappearance during breath holding
Describe cardiac, GI, and neurologic symptoms of digoxin toxicity
- Cardiac: Life-threatening arrhythmias
- GI: anorexia, N/V, abdominal pain
- Neurologic: Fatigue, confusion, weakness, color vision alterations
What medications increase the serum levels of digoxin and can lead to toxicity in a patient who has previously been on a stable digoxin regimen?
What is recommended when starting these drugs?
- Amiodarone, verapamil, quinidine, propafenone
- Digoxin dose should be decreased by 25-50% with close monitoring of digoxin levels once weakly for the next several weeks
USPSTF recommendation on AAA screening
male active or former smokers age 65-75 years with a one-time Abdominal U/S
What are the normal changes to the aging heart?
- decreased resting and maximal cardiac output
- decreased maximum heart rate
- increased contraction and relaxation time of heart muscle
- increased myocardial stiffness during diastole
- decreased myocyte number
- pigment accumulation in myocardial cells
What are the main reasons for the increased incidence or orthostatic hypotension in the elderly
- progressively decreasing baroreceptor sensitivity
- defects in the myocardial response to this reflex
Etiology of syncope?
Triggers: prolonged standing or emotional distress, painful stimuli
Prodromal symtpoms: nausea, warmth, diaphoresis
Vasovagal or neurally mediated syncope
Etiology of syncope?
Triggers: cough, micturition, defecation
situational syncope
Etiology of syncope? syncope with exertion or during exercise
- Aortic stenosis
- HCM
- anomalous coronary arteries
Etiology of syncope? Prior hx or CAD, MI, cardiomyopathy, or Low EF
Ventricular arrhythmias
Etiology of syncope? Sinus pauses, Increased PR or QRS duration
- Sick Sinus syndrome
- Bradyarrhythmias
- AV block
Etiology of syncope? Hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, medications causing increased QT interval
Torsades de pointes (acquired long QT syndrome)
Etiology of syncope? Family hx of sudden death, increased QT interval, syncope with triggers (eg, exercise, startle, sleeping)
Congenital long QT syndrome
Clinical presentation of transient loss of consciousness along with loss of postural or motor tone during urination is consistent with situational (postmicturation) syncope, a form of reflex (neurally mediated) syncope associated with specifiec triggers (eg, micturition, defecation, cough). Describe pathophysiology
- The specific triggers for reflex syncope cause an alteration in the autonomic response and can lead to a CARDIOINHIBITORY VASODEPRESSOR, or mixed response
- Increased parasympathetic stimulation can manifest as profound bradycardia, varying degrees of AV block, or asystole
- Decreased sympatheti output can lead to vasodilation, hypotension, or syncope
TIAs are an infrequent cause of syncope, as the TIA must affect where to cause syncope
posterior circulation and brainstem
- Acute dyspnea, orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
- HTN common; hypotension suggests severe disease
- Accessory muscle use, tachycardia, tachypnea
- Diffuse crackles with possible wheezes (cardiac asthma)
- Possible S3, JVD, peripheral edema
Acute decompensated heart failure
Describe the treatment of Acute decompensated heart failure if normal or elevated blood pressure with adequate end-organ perfusion
- Supplemental oxygen
- IV loop diuretic (eg, furosemide)
- Consider IV vasodilator (eg, nitroglycerin)
Describe the treatment of Acute decompensated heart failure if hypotension or signs of shock?
- Supplemental oxygen
- IV loop diuretic (eg, furosemide) as appropriate
- IV vasopressor (eg, norepinephrine)
This is a ventricular gallop sound (after S2). It is heard during rapid filling of ventricles in diastole. Turbulent blood flow to the ventricles due to increased volume
Third heart sound (S3)
When is third heart sound normal
- Children
- YOUNG adults
- Pregnancy
Abnormal or conditions associated with third heart sound
- Age > 40
- Heart failure
- Restrictive cardiomyopathy
- High-output states
This is an atrial gallop sound (before S1). Heard immediately after atrial contraction phase as blood is forced into a stiff ventricle
4th heart sound (S4)
When is 4th heart sound normal
Healthy OLDER adults
When is 4th heart sound abnormal or conditions associated with it
- Younger adults, children
- Ventricular hypertrophy
- Acute MI
An abnormal S4 (atrial gallop) can be heard in most patients during the acute phase of MI due to what?
ischemia induced myocardial dysfunction
Pulsus paradoxus refers to an exaggerated drop in systolic BP (> 10 mm Hg) during inspiration. It is most commonly seen in patients with what?
cardiac tamponade but can also occur in severe asthma and COPD, hypovolemic shock, and infrequently with constrictive pericarditis
What are the possible mechanical complications following an acute MI? give time frames?
- Right ventricular failure - Acute
- Papillary muscle rupture - acute or within 3-5 days
- Interventricular septum rupture - acute or within 3-5 days
- Free wall rupture - 5 days to 2 weeks
- Left ventricular aneurysm - up to several months
Which possible mechanical complication following an acute MI occur with RCA coronary artery involvement?
- Right ventricular failure
- Papillary muscle rupture
- Interventricular septum rupture (basal septal)
Which possible mechanical complication following an acute MI occur with LAD coronary artery involvement?
- Interventricular septum rupture (Apical septal)
- Free wall rupture
- Left ventricular aneurysm
Which possible mechanical complication following an acute MI? Hypotension, Clear lungs, Kussmaul sign (rise of JVD on inspiration)
Right ventricular failure
Which possible mechanical complication following an acute MI? Severe pulmonary edema, New holosystolic murmur
Papillary muscle rupture
Which possible mechanical complication following an acute MI? Chest pain, New holosystolic murmur, biventricular failure, shock
Interventricular septum rupture
Which possible mechanical complication following an acute MI? Chest pain, shock, distant heart sounds
Free wall rupture
Which possible mechanical complication following an acute MI? Subacute heart failure, stable angina
left ventricular aneurysm
Which possible mechanical complication following an acute MI? Echo shows hypokinetic RV
Right ventricular failure
Which possible mechanical complication following an acute MI? Echo shows severe mitral regurg with flail leaflet
Papillary muscle rupture
Which possible mechanical complication following an acute MI? Echo show left to right ventricular shunt and increase O2 level from RA to RV
Interventricular septum rupture
Which possible mechanical complication following an acute MI? Echo shows pericardial effusion with tamponade
Free wall rupture
Which possible mechanical complication following an acute MI? Echo shows think and dyskinetic myocardial wall
Left ventricular aneurysm
compared to interventricular septum rupture, the systolic murmur of acute mitral regurg from papillary muscle rupture is different how?
-is soft and no palpable thrill present
The diagnosis of Right ventricular MI is confirmed with >1 mm ST-segment elevation in the right sided precordial leads V4R -V6R. Right ventricular failure leads to decreased preload and resultant hypotension. Therefore, in addition to standard MI therapy, such patients, (without pulmonary congestion) are typically treated with what?
Boluses of IV fluids (isotonic saline) to improve RV preload and facilitate left ventricular filling
-Preload reducing meds such as nitrates and diuretics should be avoided
Massive PE can often present similarly to RV infarction. What does ECG typically show in a PE?
- tachycardia
- nonspecific ST-segment or T-wave changes
- New onset RBBB OR
- S1Q3T3 pattern
What is this and what is pathogenesis?
- Angina episodes
- Young patients (age < 50)
- Smoking (minimal other CAD risk factors)
- Recurrent chest discomfort: occurs at rest or during sleep; spontaneous resolution in 15 or less minutes
- Vasospastic angina (formerly known as variant or prinzmetal)
- Hyperreactivity of coronary smooth muscle
Describe how to diagnose vasospastic angina
- Ambulatory ECG: ST elevation
- Coronary angiography: no CAD
Treatment of vasospastic angina
- smoking cessation
- CCB (preventative): like Diltiazem to dilate coronary arteries; Amlodipine and felodipine also effective
- Sublingual nitroglycerin (abortive)
Why should Aspirin be avoided in patients with vasospastic angina?
-it can inhibit prostacycline production and worsen coronary vasospasms
Cilostazol is a phophodiesterase III inhibitor that causes arterial vasodilation and inhibits platelet aggregation. It is often used in what?
lower extremity claudication
As adrenergic stimulation of beta-2 receptors dilates coronary arteries and alpha-1 stimulation constricts them, these can worsen coronary vasospasm and should be avoided in patients with vasospastic angina
Nonselective beta blockers (eg, propranolol)
This is an antianginal drug that decreases myocardial calcium level by inhibiting late-phase sodium influx into ischemic cardiomyocytes. It is effective in treating stable angina due to atherosclerotic CAD
Ranolazine
Describe initiation of Statin in diabetics
- Diabetic patients age 40-75 should be treated with statin therapy in addition to lifestyle modification and glucose control
- Those with a 10-year risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease <7.5% should receive moderate-intensity statin therapy, and those with a risk > 7.5% should receive high intensity statin therapy
A patient with NSTEMI (chest pain, ST depression troponin elevation) undergoes revascularization of the culprit coronary artery with a drug-eluting stent. Long-term medical therapy in such patients is aimed at prevention of recurrent coronary events (secondary prevention) and reduction of overall cardiovascular events. Medial therapy shown to improve morbidity and mortality in patients with known coronary hearth disease includes what?
- DUAL antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and P2y12 receptor blockers (eg, clopidogrel, prasugrel, ticagrelor)
- Beta blockers
- ACEIs or ARBs
- HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins)
- Aldosterone antagonists (eg, spironolactone, eplerenone) in patients with left ventricular EF <40% who have heart failure symptoms or DM
This is an adrenergic agonist with predominant activity on beta-1 receptors and minimal activity on beta-2 and alpha-1 receptors. It is used for the management of severe heart failure associated with severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction and cardiogenic shock.
What drug and what mechanism of action
- Dobutamine
- increased cAMP in cardiac myocytes –> enhanced calcium mediated binding of the actin-myosin complex to troponin and increased myocardial contractility (positive inotropic effect)
- Heart rate is also increased via calcium channel activation (positive chronotropic effect)
- The increase in myocardial contractility allows for forward ejection of a higher volume of blood and restuls in a decrease in left ventricular end-systolic volume
The 2 major treatment issues that need to be addressed in all patients with new-onset Afib includes what?
- The choice between rate or rhythm control strategy and
- risk stratification for prevention of systemic embolization