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, if new onset within 48hrs, if been present for >48hrs and if infrequent episodes)
Treat as AF- by far most likely diagnosis
DC if haemodynamically unstable
If presents acutely (within 48hrs)-> chemical rhythm control with amiodarone or 300mg PO flecainide then DC and if urgent rate control needed use CSM, VSM, bisoprolol then verapamil
If old: anticoagulate and offer bisoprolol 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 Diabetes Stroke/ TIA/ VTE Vascular disease Age 65-75 Sex -female
What are the criteria on the HAS BLED score?
Hypertension Abnormal liver or renal function Stroke Bleeding Labile INR Elderly (>65) Drugs or alcohol abuse
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
How are unstable bradycardia treated?
- 500micrograms atropine IV every 3-5 mins (upto 6 times)
- Then give Iv adrenaline 2-20 micrograms/ min IVI while you try to get someone todo transcutaneous pacing
- find and treat cause (eg electrolyte disturbance)
How should pulseless VT and V fib be treated?
defibrillation +/- lidocaine
adrenaline every 3-5 mins and amiodarone after 3 shocks
How should unstable and 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 torsade de pointes
A very regular broad complex tachy with pointed QRS complexes.
Associated with long QT.
How is torsade de pointes treated?
IV magnesium sulphate 2mg- if unsucessful 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
- 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 for hypertension to reduce risk factors
- ACEi if also got diabetes
- cardiac rehab (exercise)
- coronary revascularisation if high risk or medical therapy fails
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 and long term (inc drug doses)
- Aspirin (300mg) and ticagrelor (180mg) (or clopidogrel)
- Morphine (5-10mg)
- metaclopamide (anti emetic) 10mg
- GTN sublingual or IV (50mg in 50 ml NS at 2-10ml/hr)
- Oxygen if sats are low
- call cathlab for primary PCI or CABG if multi vessel disease, if no PCI available then thrombolysis
- long term continue dual antiplatelet for 12 months (add PPI for stomach protection)
- B blockers or CCB
- ACEi
- high dose statin
- Echo also needed to asses for HF
- long term treatment is for NSTEMI
What do you need to think about when assessing NSTEMI risk and need for angiography/ PCI?
- rise in troponin
- dynamic st or t wave changes
- 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 or congenital
What causes aortic stenosis and regurg?
Stenosis: calcification, sometimes rheumatic fever or congenital
Regurg: congenital, CT disorders, rheumatic fever, RA, SLE, hypertension
Describe the clinical features of mitral regurg?
Dyspnoea, fatigue, palpitations, AF, systolic murmer best on expiration at apex with soft s1, displaced apex.
Describe the clincial features ofmitral 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.
Describe the clinical features of aortic regug
exertional dyspnoea, PND, Orthopneoa, palpitations, angina, syncope, collapsing pulse, displaced apex, high pitched early diastolic murmer, quinckes signs.
How are valvular diseases investigated?
ECG, Echo, 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 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 do echo in 2 weeks.
Bloods: FBC, U&E, LFT, glucose, fasting lipids, TFT, cardiac enzymes
CXR (cardiomegaly, alveolar shadowing, fluid in fissues, pleural effusions)
Urinalysis (? Nephrotic syndrome). Cardiac MRI (rarely), Ct angiography if CHD suspected as cause
Describe 5 levels of the NYHA heart failure severity classification
Class1: no symptoms on ordinary physical activity
Class2: slight limitation of physical activity by symptoms
Class3: Less than ordinary activity leads to symptoms
Class4: inability to carry out any activity without symptoms
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)
Spironolactone: use in those still symptomatic despite optimal therapy and in those post MI with LVSD (systolic)
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
Ivrabradine used in NYHA class 2-4 with sinus rhythm >75bpm and conventional therapy not working/ tolerated and ejection fraction <35%
How is heart failure managed non pharmacologically?
Optimise risk factors. Treat cause Flu vaccines should be given Salt and fluid restriction. 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 odema managed? (inc drug doses)
- Furosemide 40-80 mg IV slowly to remove fluid
- High flow O2
- Sit up
- Morphine 5mg IV to help with feeling of breathlessness
- GTN spray 2 puffs for veno dilation
- 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
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
- phentolaminde for phaeochromocytoma crisis
- Find cause