Cardiovascular Flashcards
what infective endocarditis infections cannot be cultures
coxiella burnetti
chlamydia psittaci
what are the 3 groups of people who suffer infective endocarditis
- those with native valve disease
- IV drug users
- those with prosthetic valves
what is atherosclerosis
a plaque blockage of an artery
can form thrombus when ruptures
what is atherogenesis
the process of plaque forming in arteries
where are atherosclerotic plaques located
peripheral and coronary arteries usually
what factors affect where plaques are found
changes in flow
altered gene expression
wall thickness changes
what is the structure of an astherosclerotic plaque
lipid
necrotic core
connective tissue
fibrous cap
what is the cause of atheroscelrotic plaque formation
endothelial cells respond to injury but this is innapropriate as there is not injury - endothelial dysfunction - signals sent to leukocytes = inflammation
what inflammatory markers are found in plaque
IL2,6,8 IFN gamma TGF beta MCP1 C reactive protein = non-specific inflamm marker, can be elevated in STEMI
what are the complications of plaque
haemorrhage plaque rupture/fissure overlying thrombosis progression of plaque artery dissection aneurysm
describe artery dissection as a result of plaque
blood enters between intima and media = pushes the plaque into lumen of vessel
= can cause dissection of adventitia and media
describe an aneurysm as a result of plaque
blood enters between intima and media and causes the vessel to expand
name some treatments of coronary artery disease
percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) drug elution stent aspirin clopidogrel statins
what is an interval on ECG
from start of one bit to end f another bit
what is a segment on ECG
from end of one bit to start of another bit
how long is a small box on ECG
0.04s
how long is large box on ECG
0.2s
what is angina
symptom which occurs as a consequence of restricted coronary artery which causes ischaemia
what is prinzmetal’s angina
unstable angina caused by coronary artery spasm not related to exertion
what is unstable angina
plaque ruptures and thrombus forms = partial or full occlusion of coronary artery = increased risk of MI
pain at rest
also called acute coronary syndrome
what are the 3 features that confirm stable angina
- heavy tight radiating to arm cardiac chest pain
- chest pain especially on exertion
- pain relieved by GTN spray
what 2 features suggest unstable angina
- pain at rest
2. partially relieved by GTN
what age and gender are at higher risk of angina
males, old
name 6 differential diagnoses for angina (5Ps)
pericarditis pleural effusion pulmonary embolism pneumonia pneumothorax GORD
what will an ECG of angina look like
normal, may show ST depression and flat T wave
what investigations should be carried out for suspected angina
ECG CT angiogram (gold standard) stress echo, cardiac MRI, echo = differential diagnoses
what is a SCORE quiz
systematic coronary risk estimation quiz
describe primary prevention of coronary artery disease
- lifestyle changes
2. pharmacological = antihypertensives, statins, diabetes treatment for T2
describe the pharmacological secondary prevention of coronary artery disease
- nitrates = GTN spray = venodilator = decrease pre-load and dilate coronary arteries
- beta blockers = inotropic heart effects = propranolol
- calcium channel blockers = prevent smooth muscle contraction/coronary spasm = arterodilator
- antiplatelets = prevent clots
- statins = reduce LDL
what are the significant side effects of beta blockers
bronchospasm
cold fingers
name 2 beta blockers
atenolol
bisoprolol
name 2 calcium channel blockers
amlodipine
verapamil
name 3 anti-platelet drugs
aspirin
clopidogrel = P2Y12 inhibitor
ticagrelor = P2Y12 inhibitor
name 2 statins
atorvastatin
simvastatin
what type of acute coronary syndrome is it not suitable to use beta blockers as treatment
prinzmetals angina
describe the surgical methods to manage acute coronary syndromes
- percutaneous coronary intervention PCI = stenting increases vessel diameter
- coronary artery bypass graft CABG = saphenous vein and internal mammary artery graft to bypass blocked coronary artery
- in MI = urgent coronary angioplasty if ST elevation in more than 2 leads/LBBB present
what is acute coronary syndrome
encompasses unstable angina, NSTEMI, STEMI = coronary artery blockage via thrombus or embolism
what are the general symptoms for acute coronary syndrome
acute central chest pain longer than 20 mins radiating to arm neck and jaw nausea sweating SOB palpitation
what is the initial management for all acute coronary syndromes (NSTEMI, MI)
MOAN morphine oxygen aspirin/clopidogrel nitrates
what are the signs of acute coronary syndrome
distress, pallor, anxiety
bradycardic or tachycardic
high or low BP
4th heart sound
name a chronic coronary syndrome
stable angina
what is an acute myocardial infarction
complete blockage of a coronary artery
what investigations would you do for an MI
ECG
CXR
FBC, U&E, glucose, lipids
cardiac enzymes - troponin T and I
what is significant on an ECG during an MI
STEMI = ST elevation
NSTEMI/unstable angina = ST depression or T wave inversion, new Q waves
what can an ECG indicate about a patients history
can show whether have suffered an MI in the past
how are acute coronary syndromes treated lifelong
P2Y12 inhibitor e.g. clopidogrel = at least 1 year
aspirin = lifelong
statins = lifelong
ACE inhibitors = long term at highest dose poss
Beta blockers = long term if LV function reduced, stop BB if LV function good
anticoagulant e.g. heparin ?
what are the main causes of acute coronary syndromes
plaque rupture causing thrombosis coronary vasospasm drug abuse dissection of coronary artery bc of connective tissue defects thoracic aorta dissection
what is troponin
protein complex that regulates actin/myosin interaction
highly sensitive marker for cardiac muscle injury
what conditions cause raised troponin
MI
arrhythmias
heart failure
myocarditis
gram negative sepsis
PE
describe the layers of the pericardium
dual layer:
thin visceral layer attached to epicardium
thick fibrous parietal layer anchored to diaphragm
what is the role of the pericardium
acts to restrain filling volume of heart so it doesnt overfill
is able to stretch but will become stiff at high tension
describe the pathophysiology of chronic pericardial effusion
fluid builds up slowly = pericardium stretches instead of becoming stiff
changes compliance and reduced effect on diastolic filling of chambers
describe the pathophysiology of a cardiac tamponade
occurs acutely
pericardium fills quickly and therefore becomes stiff
pericardium continues to fill = compress the heart
what is becks triad
= 3 signs of cardiac tamponade
- muffled heart sounds
- jugular vein distension
- hypotension with narrowed pulse pressure
what is pericarditis
inflammation of the pericardium with or without effusion
name the infectious causes of pericarditis
enterovirus
adenovirus
parvovirus B19
herpes
mycobacterium TB
rheumatic fever
staph/strep
name the autoimmune causes of pericarditis
sjogren syndrome
rheumatoid arthritis
scleroderma
what is the main non infectious cause of pericarditis
neoplasm = mets
what is pulses paradoxus
fall of systolic blood pressure on inspiration
what is Kussmaul’s sign
increase of or failure for systolic blood pressure to fall during inspiration (jugular venous pressure)
what is particular about an ECG in pericarditis
saddle shaped ST segment across lots of territories
widespread ST elevation
what are the major predictors of complications of pericarditis
fever above 38
subacute onset
large pericardial effusion
lack of response to aspirin/NSAID
what are the minor predictors of complications of pericarditis
myopericarditis
immunosuppression
trauma
oral anticoagulation therapy
what are the differential diagnoses of pericarditis
pneumonia pleurisy GORD MI pancreatitis herpes zoster
what is cardiac myopathy
primary heart muscle disease
name the 3 main types of cardiac myopathy
hypertrophic
dilated
arrhythmogenic
what is signifcant about the chest pain associated with pericarditis
worse when lying down
relieved by sitting forward
what are the signs of cardiac tamponade
high HR
low BP
pulses paradoxus
high JVP
what may a CXR of pericarditis show
cardiomegaly
what is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy HCM
heart muscles become thicker (larger than 12mm) = ventricles become smaller
increases systolic function
causes dystolic dysfunction
caused by sarcomeric protein gene mutation
describe the pathophysiology of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy causing arrhythmias
fibrosis and scarring of heart
myofibrils in disarray microscopically
vessels supplying myocardium decrease in size
= changes in electrical conduction/ CAN CAUSE ARRHYTHMIAS