Cardiovascular Conditions Flashcards
What is coronary artery disease?
cardiovascular condition, involves narrowing or blockage of coronary arteries due to atherosclerosis.
-impedes blood flow to myocardium, leading to ischemia (with pain: angina pectoris)
-potentially resulting in ACS or MI
What is acute coronary syndrome?
term used to describe a range of conditions associated with sudden, reduced blood flow to the heart.
-3 entities: STEMI, NSTEMI, and unstable angina
What causes ACS?
What is the pathophys?
the rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque in a CA, leading to partial or complete blockage of blood flow
-disruption of plaque triggers platelet aggregation and thrombus formation. results in ischemia and potential necrosis of myocardial tissue. extent of damage depends on duration and severity of ischemic event.
CAD can lead to _________ , or progress to ______.
angina pectoris
ACS
s/s ACS
CP or discomfort that may radiate to shoulders arms, neck, jaw, back.
-described as pressure or squeezing
-dyspnea, diaphoresis, nausa, syncope
Dx of ACS
ECG
cardiac biomarkers
Why ECG for dx ACS?
differentiates between stemi and nstemi/ unstable angina
What does NSTEMI ECG usually show?
ST segment depression or T wave inversion
Cardiac biomarkers for dx ACS
Troponins.
-elevated indicate myocardial necrosis and help differentiate between NSTEMI and unstable anginga
ACS management
pharm:
1. antiplatelet agents (aspirin and P2Y12 inhibitors)
2. anticoagulants
3. beta blockers
4. ACE inhibitors
5. statins
reperfusion therapy:
-PCI
-thromobolysis
What do ST segement elevations signify?
COMPLETE blockage of one or more CAs
(indicates acute transmural ischemia)
Pathophys of STEMI
results from rupture of atherosclerotic plaque followed by thrombosis, leading to occlusion of the CA.
risk fac
Risk Factors of STEMI (preluding one)
- HTN
- HLD
- smoking
- DM
- family hx CAD
clinical manifestations of STEMI
CP (pressure or squeezing) radiating to left arm, neck, or jaw
diaphorsis
dyspnea
nausea
sometimes syncope
post STEMI reperfusion management
- antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and P2Y12 ihibitors (clopidogrel)
- AC with heparin or LMWH
- BB to reduce myocardial oxygen demand
- ACE inhibitors prevent ventricular remodeling
- statins for lipid management
NSTEMI is characterized by
partial blockage of a CA, result is reduced blood flow to heart muscle
How is a NSTEMI identified?
by cardiac biomarkers, such as troponins, indicating myocardial injury
Pathophy of NSTEMI
CA plaque ruptures or erodes, leading to thrombus formation. Not completely obstructied, so some perfusion of myocardium is allowed, BUT insufficient to meet metabolic demands, esp during exertion or stress.
mismatch between o2 supply and demand causes ischemia and myocardial necrosis
clinical manifestations of NSTEMI
similar to other forms of ACS, including CP or discomfort that may radiate to arm, neck, jaw, back. (often pressure like)
dyspnea, diaphoresis, nausea, fatigue
Dx of NSTEMI
- ECG: may show nonspecifc changes (ST depression or T wave inversion)
- cardiac biomarkers ** (Troponin I or T)
Management/ Tx of NSTEMI
Pharm:
1. antiplatelet agents (aspirin and P2Y12 inhibitors)
2. AC (heparin)
3. BB
4. statins
5. nitrates**
procedure (not all cases)
- PCI
What diagnostic tool helps differentiate between NSTEMI and unstable angina?
cardiac biomarkers (Troponin I or T) as they are sensitive indicators of myocardial cell injury
Unstable angina is characterized by_______
and indicates________
unexpected CP or discomfort typically at rest or with minimal exertion.
indicates sudden reduction in blood flow to heart muscle, often due to plaque rupture and subsequent thrombus formation in CA
How do stable and unstable angina differ?
stable: predictable pattern and relieved by rest or nitro
unstable: unexpected. occurring at rest or with minimal exertion
pathophy of unstable angina
disruption of atherosclerotic plaque, leading to platelet aggregation and partial occlusion of CA
(so there is an imbalance between O2 supply and demand)
What is the difference between unstable angina and MI?
the partial occlusion of unstable angina does not result in myocardial necrosis
s/s unstable angina
-new onset CP (may radiate)
-worsening anginal symptoms (dyspnea, diaphoresis, nausea, syncope)
-angina at rest lasting more than 20 min
*immediate medical eval as may escalate to MI
Dx of unstable angina
- ECG (may show ST depression or T wave inversion)
- cardiac biomarkers (Troponin) remain normal or only slightly elevated since no myocardial necrosis
Management unstable angina
- anti-ischemic therapy with nitrates and BB
- antiplatelet therapy (aspirin, possibly P2Y12 inhibitors like clopidogrel)
- AC (heparin)
depending on risks: coronary angiography, PCI, CABG
What is cardiac tamponade?
accumulation of fluid in pericardial space, which exerts increased pressure on the heart
impairs ability to fill properly during diastole, leading to *decreased cardiac output and hemodynamic instability *
What are some causes of tamponade?
trauma, malignancy, infection, uremia, post MI syndrome
pathophy of cardiac tamponade
rapid or excessive accumulation of pericardial fluid overwhelming compensatory mechanisms of heart.
-as intrapericardial pressure rises, it surpasses intracardiac pressures, leading to impaired ventricular filling.
-result is reduced stroke volume and CO (manifests as hypotension and shock)
What is Beck’s Triad? What does it indicate?
hypotension, JVD, muffled heart sounds
tamponade
Dx of tamponade
assessment, but confirmed with imaging (echo)
Echo shows pericardial effusion and signs of chamber collapse (RA and ventricualr collapse during diastole)
ECG changes: low voltage QRS complexes and electrical alterans due to swinging movement of heart within fluid-filled pericardium
M
Management of tamponade
hemodynamics stabilization with IV fluids to augment preload and maintain CO.
-pericardial fluid drainage through pericardiocentesis (using echo guidance) or sx intervention (pericardial window)
What are cardiomyopathies?
a group of diseases that affect the heart muscle, leading to impaired cardiac function
resulting in HF, arrhythmias, sudden cardiac death
4 main types of cardiomyopathy
- dilated
- hypertrophic
- restrictive
- arrythmogenic RV cardiomyopathy (ARVC)
described dilated CM.
causes?
s/s?
enlargement and impaired contraction of LV, leading to systolic dysfunction.
-idiopathic or secondary to ischemic heart disease, alcohol abuse, or viral infections
-s/s of HF (dyspnea, fatigue, peripheral edmea)
described hypertrophic CM (HCM).
causes?
s/s?
abnormal thickening of myocardium, particular affecting interventricular septum. It can obstruct blood flow out of the LV.
-often inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern.
-CP, syncope, palpitations. *risk for sudden cardiac death due to arrhythmias
described restrictive CM.
causes?
s/s?
stiffening of ventricular walls, leading to impaired disatolic filling *without * significant systolic dysfunction
-can be caused by infiltrative diseases such as amyloidosis or hemochromatosis
-s/s:exercise intolerance and right sided HF symptoms (ascites, hepatomegaly)
Dx of cardiomyopathies
clinical evaluation
imaging (echo, MRI)
somtimes genetic testing
described arrhythmogenic RV CM.
causes?
s/s?
replacement of myocardial tissue with fibrofatty tissue in RV, leading to arrhythmias
-genetic disorder
-palpitations or syncope. risk for sudden cardiac death.
management of CM
depending on the type and severity
may include meds like BB or ACE inhibitors
lifestyle mod
ICDs
sx: septal myectomy for HCM
contributors to dysrhythmias
electrolyte imbalances, ischemic heart disease, MI, congenital heart defects
generalized tx of arrhythmias
antiarrhythmic drugs, AC for thrombus prevention, cardioversion, catheter ablation, pacemaker or defibrillator
classic HF symptoms
dyspnea, fatigue, fluid retention (leading to pulmonary congestion or peripheral edema)
two main types of HF
Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction (HFrEF) and Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF)
HFrEF: systolic or diastolic dysfunction?
systolic. heart muscle weakens and cannot contract effectively
HFpEF: systolic or diastolic dysfunction?
diastolic. heart loses ability to relax and fill properly during diastole.
Pathophys of heart failure overview
involves neurohormonal activation, including the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and the sympathetic nervous system. These initially compensate for decreased CO, but eventually exacerbate myocardial damage and worsen HF.
compensatory mechanisms lead to vasoconstriction, sodium and water retention, and increased cardiac workload.
Dx of HF
- history and physical exam
- dx tests like echo to asses EF and identify structural abnormalities
- Biomarkers (B-type Natriuretic Peptide BNP or N-terminal pro-BNP) crucial for diagnozing and monitoring severity of HF
management of HF overview
-lifestyle mod (sodium restrict, fluid management, exercise, no smoking)
-pharm
-device therapy or surgery
Pharm management of HF
-ACE inhibitors
-BB
-diuretics
-aldosterone antagonists
-and sometimes ARNIs (angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors)
advanced HF therapies (devices and surgeries)
-CRT cardiac resynchronization therapy
-implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs)
-mechanical circulatory support (LVADs)
-transplant
Hypertensive urgency criteria
and s/s
SBP > 180mmHg or DBP >120 mmHg without evidence of acute target organ damage.
-severe headache, SOB, epistaxis
TX HTN urgency
GRADUALLY reduce blood pressure over 24 to 48 hours using oral antiHTN meds
(rapid= possible cerebral hypoperfusion)
hypertensive emergency criteria and s/s
similar BP parameters but accompanied by acute, life threatening target organ damage. ex: hypertensive encephalopathy, acute MI, acute LV failure with pulm edema, aortic dissection, acute renal failure
management of hypertensive emergency
prompt reduction of MAP by 20-25% within first hour, using IV antiHTN agents
-sodium nitroprusside, labetalol, or nicardipine
subsequent BP reduction should be gradual over next 24 to 48 hours to minimze risk of ischemic complications
What can cause hypertensive emergencies?
nonadherence to meds
autonomic dysregulation
secondary causes like pheochromocytoma or renovascular hypertension