Cardiovascular Flashcards
How should arrhythmias be investigated?
- bloods: (TFTs, U&Es, glucose, FBC)
- baseline ECG without symptoms
- Echo (not diagnostic)
- 24 hr ECG
- implantable loop recorders
When do you worry about ectopic beats on a 24hr ecg?
when they occur >20% of the time, it may lead to heart failure
Describe how regular narrow complex (SVT) regular tacharrhythmias are treated if the pt is haemodynamicaly stable? (4 steps)
1st: Valsalver maneouvre
2nd: carotid sinus massage
3rd: adenosine 6mg IV then 12mg x2
4th: IV verapamil or betablockers(last resort// in asthma)
5th: electrocardioversion (do this 1st if haemodynamically unstable)
How should narrow complex irregular tachycardias be treated initially?
(if haemodynamically unstable// adverse signs, if new onset within 48hrs, if been present for >48hrs and if infrequent episodes)
Treat as AF- by far most likely diagnosis
Haemodynamically unstable/ adverse signs: synchronised DC
Acute presentation (within 48hrs): chemical rhythm control with amiodarone (if they have structural heart disease) or 300mg PO flecainide then DC and if urgent rate control needed use CSM, VSM, bisoprolol then verapamil
If old: anticoagulate and offer bisoprolol/ verapamil for rate control/ digoxin in HF. Then bring back in two weeks for cardioversion. Flecainide PRN can be used in infrequent symptomatic AF.
What are the criteria on the CHA2DS2 VASc score?
Congestive heart failure/ LVSD Hypertension Age >75 (scores 2) Diabetes Stroke/ TIA/ VTE (scores 2) Vascular disease Age 65-75 Sex -female
What are the adverse signs in tachy/brady which indicate you may need to use a defib
shock
MI/ chest pain/ ischaemia on ECG
Heart failure
Syncope
Synchronised DC shocks for tachy, transcutanous pacing for brady.
Electrical cardioversion before chemical (amiodarone) for tachy. Chemical (atropine) before electrical for brady.
Name 3 anticoagulants
warfarin, apixaban, dabigatran, rivaroxaban
What can be done in AF if anticoagulants are not tolerated or contraindicated?
left atrial appendage occlusion
Give 5 causes of AF
- hypertension
- valvular disease
- heart failure
- IHD
- chest infection
- PE
- lung cancer
- alcohol
- hyperthyroid
- electrolyte disturbance
- infections
- diabetes
- age
Can also remember by mnemonic PIRATES: Pulmonary embolism. Ischaemia. Respiratory disease. - lung cancer, chest infection Atrial enlargement or myxoma. Thyroid disease. (Hyper) Ethanol. Sepsis/sleep apnoea.
How are unstable bradycardia treated?
- 500micrograms atropine IV every 3-5 mins (upto 6 times)
- If unsatisfactory response/ recurrance, use transcutanous pacing (may need anaesthetist to sedate) or transvenous pacing if cardiology available
- is delay for this, use isopraline or adrenaline
- find and treat cause (eg electrolyte disturbance)
How should pulseless VT and V fib be treated?
defibrillation
adrenaline 1mg every 3-5 mins and amiodarone 300mg after 3 shocks +/- lidocaine
How should
a) unstable
b) stable sustained VT with a pulse be treated?
unstable: sedate and do DC cardioversion x 3 then amiodarone 300mg over 20 mins whilst doing more DC shocks, check and correct electrolytes
stable: amiodarone, then flecainide then lidocaine then cardioverision or pacing
How can non sustained VT be treated?
beta blockers- may also need implantable defibrillator
What is torsades de pointes? (2) What are the ECG features?
Type of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia
Associated with long QT.
Features: changes in amplitude (twisting) of the QRS complexes around the isoelectric line.
How is torsade de pointes treated?
IV magnesium sulphate 2g given over 10 minutes
(initially and then can be repeated after 5-15 mins)
if unsuccessful then sedate for DC cardioversion
Look for cause of long QT (drugs, hypokalaemia, bradycardia, genetics)
Other anti-arrhythmics cant be used as they prolong QT
What investigations are needed for angina
- ECG: pathological q waves, LBBB, ST segment changes, T flattening or inversion
- Bloods: (FBC (anaemia), U&E (renal function), glucose and cholesterol (RFs), LFTs (statins), Troponin if ECG changes or unstable
- Echo to asses function or if HCM or valve disease is suspected
How should stable angina be treated? (8)
- all need referral to cardio via rapid access chest pain clinic
- GTN spray for symptom relief
- aspirin (75-300mg) or clopidogrel for anticoagulant taking into account bleeding risk
- statins and other CVS risk reduction (HTN treatment, stop smoking etc)
- BB or CCB first line antianginal, long actingin nitrates and ivrabradine can be used as additional or alternative to these. add a 3rd only when waiting for revascularization therapy
- ACEi if CKD/HTN/T2DM/ heart failure/ previous MI
- cardiac rehab (exercise)
- coronary revascularisation if high risk or medical therapy fails on two anti anginal medications, consider CABG when ok on medical therapy but left main stem or proximal 3 vessel disease
How is an MI investigated?
- ECG
- Bloods: FBC, U&E, glucose, lipids, crp, troponin T and I and cardiac enzymes
- CXR
- pulse oxymetry
- cardiac catheterisation and angiography
- Echo
- MI perfusion scan / CTCA
How should a STEMI be treated?( short term- inc drug doses)
- Aspirin (300mg) and ticagrelor (180mg) (or clopidogrel 300mg) PO
- IV Morphine (5-10mg)
- IV metaclopamide (anti emetic) 10mg
- GTN sublingual or IV (50mg in 50 ml NS at 2-10ml/hr)
- Oxygen if sats are low (<94%)
- call cathlab for primary PCI or CABG if multi vessel disease, if no PCI available within 120 mins of presentation then FIBRINOLYSIS
What do you need to think about when assessing NSTEMI risk and need for angiography/ PCI? (6)
Calculate GRACE SCORE
- rise in troponin
- dynamic st or t wave changes
- HR, BP and age
- If arrested at any point
- diabetes
- CKD
- LVF
- recent PCI or prior CABG
What causes mitral regurg and mitral stenosis?
Regurg: MI, LV dilation, calcification, CT disorders, rheumatic fever, endocarditis, cardiomyopathy
Stenosis: rheumatic fever (most common cause!) or congenital (rarer)
What causes aortic stenosis and regurg?
What is the most common cause of aortic stenosis in someone <60yrs?
Stenosis: calcification, sometimes rheumatic fever or congenital
Regurg: congenital, CT disorders, rheumatic fever, RA, SLE, hypertension
Most common cause of AS <60yrs = bicuspid arotic valve
Describe the clinical features of mitral regurg?
Dyspnoea, fatigue, palpitations, AF, systolic murmur (pan-systolic) best on expiration at apex with soft s1,
Displaced Apex Beat
Cardiomegaly
Acutely: presents with pulmonary oedema
Describe the clincial features of mitral stenosis?
pulmonary hypertension–> dyspnoea, haemoptysis, chronic bronchitis like picture, RA pressure increase can impinge recurrent laryngeal so hoarseness of voice, dysphagia. Fatigue, palpitations, chest pain, systemic emboli, rarely infective endocarditis. Malar flush on cheeks, AF, diastolic murmer best on exp with loud s1.
Describe the clinical features if Aortic stenosis
chest pain, exertional dyspnoea or syncope, heart failure, heaving, displaced apex, aortic thrill, ejection systolic murmer radiating to carotids.
slow rising pulse
haemolytic anaemia
loudest on expiration when sitting forwards
Describe the clinical features of aortic regurgitation.
exertional dyspnoea, PND, Orthopneoa, palpitations, angina, syncope, collapsing pulse, displaced apex, high pitched early diastolic murmer, quinckes sign, de musset’s sign
Quincke’s sign =nail bed pulsations
De Mussets = head bobbing
How are valvular diseases investigated?
Gold Standard = Transthoracic Echocardiography
ECG, FBC, CXR, cardiac catheterisation
how do you treat valvular diseases?
balloon valvuloplasty or open valvulotomy for stenosis or valve replacements for both
Describe the clinical features of left sided heart failure
- Breathlessness (PND &orthopnoea v specific to it) +/- nocturnal cough and wheeze,
- fatigue
- pink throthy sputum
- increased HR and RR
- exertional dyspnoea
- bibasal coarse crackles
- murmers associated with cause
- cardiomegaly
Can present acutely with acute onset breathlessness
What investigations are needed for heart failure?
ECG and BNP, if either abnormal do echo. If had MI before and NT-proBNP is really high - Refer for 2 week echo!
Bloods: FBC, U&E, LFT, glucose, fasting lipids, TFT, cardiac enzymes
CXR (cardiomegaly, alveolar shadowing, fluid in interlober space (kurley b lines), pleural effusions)
Urinalysis (? Nephrotic syndrome). Cardiac MRI (rarely), Ct angiography if CHD suspected as cause
Describe Class I to IV of the NYHA heart failure severity classification
Class1: no symptoms on ordinary physical activity
Class2: slight limitation of physical activity by symptoms (walking up stairs)
Class3: Less than ordinary activity leads to symptoms (walking on flat ground)
Class4: inability to carry out any activity without symptoms (changing clothes)
How can heart failure be managed pharmacologically?
Diuretics: furosemide 40mg to relieve symptoms, add thiazide if no improvement but monitor k+ (systolic and diastolic)
ACEi: in those with LV systolic dysfunction, ARB if get a cough
B Blockers: decreases mortality, ‘start low and go slow’ (systolic)
Consider starting antiplatelet and statin (will be indicated in many)
SECONDARY CAR MANAGEMENT:
Spironolactone: use in those still symptomatic despite optimal therapy and in those post MI with LVSD (systolic) - also has MAJOR prognostic benefits! :)
Digoxin: Use in those with LVSD who are still symptomatic despite optimal treatment
Vasodilators: hydralazine and isosorbide dinitrate should be used if intolerant to ARB or ACEi
Ivabradine used in NYHA class 2-4 with sinus rhythm >75bpm and conventional therapy not working/ tolerated and ejection fraction <35%
SGLT2 inhibitors: improves prognosis in LVSD
How is heart failure managed non pharmacologically?
Care Plan inc. info and support
Optimise risk factors - stop smoking and drinking
Treat cause
Flu vaccines should be given
Salt and fluid restriction (if needed)
Cardiac rehabilitation
LV assist devices can be used in end stage
When should urgent and 6 week referrals be used when heart failure is suspected?
Urgent referral if: previous MI, very high BNP, severe symptoms, pregnant
6 week referral: no Mi history but reasonably high BNP, ECG abnormal, ECG normal but strong suspicion of heart failure.
How is flash pulmonary oedema managed? (inc drug doses)
- Furosemide 40-80 mg IV slowly to remove fluid
- High flow O2 (if <94%)
- Sit up
- Morphine 5mg IV to help with feeling of breathlessness (CI in liver failure and COPD)
- GTN spray 2 puffs for veno dilation (CI if BP is LOW - can cause hypotension
- Do BNP, ECG, CXR, echo, troponin, U&E, daily weights, obs QDS
- be aware of copd, asthma attack and pneumonia as differentials
- If these fail, CPAP and IV nitrates
- If BP drops <100mmHg treat as cardiogenic shock (inotropes)
Give 3 renal causes of secondary hypertension
glomerularnephritis, systemic sclerosis, pyelonephritis, APCKD, renovascular disease
Give 3 endocrine causes of secondary hypertension
cushings, conns, thyroid, phaeochromocytoma, acromegaly, hyperparathyroidism
Give 3 non endocrine or renal causes of secondary hypertension
pre eclampsia
coarcation of aorta
obstructive sleep apnoea
pharmacological (alcohol, cocaine, amphetamines, antidepressants, COCP, ciclosporin, EPO, steroids)
What are the risk factors for primary hypertension
High BMI, high salt diet, lack of activity, excess alcohol, stress, old age, FHx, ethnicity, gender (F>M)
How would unexplained hypertension be investigated? (10)
- Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring
- Urine dip for protein and blood (renal disease)
- Serum creatinine, U&E, eGFR
- Renal USS
- 12 lead ECG
- Echo
- Fasting blood glucose and lipid profile
- Urinary free cortisol/ dexamethasone surpression test
- Renin/ aldosterone levels
- Plasma calcium
- MRI of renal arteries
How is emergency hypertension (>200mmHg systolic) managed?
- IV nitroprusside or nicarpidine
- phentolamine for phaeochromocytoma crisis
- Find cause
What lifestyle advice can be given to reduce blood pressure
weight reduction, whole grain starchy foods, increase activity, low sat fat, fruit and veg, low caffine, low alcohol, stop smoking, low salt