CARDIOVASCULAR EMERGENCIES Flashcards
What are the causes of cardiac ischemia chest pain?
Angina pectoris (atherosclerosis) Acute coronary artery syndrome (thrombosis)
If a patient’s chest pain is sharp and worse with inspiration, what type of pain is it?
Pleuritic chest pain
What are some big things we should keep on DDx from the cardiac system, when a patient presents with chest pain?
MI, Pericarditis, aortic dissection, mitral valve prolapse, and PE
What should we keep on our DDx from the pulmonary system in a patient with chest pain?
Pneumothorax, pulm HTN, pneumonia
What should we keep on our DDx from the neuromuscular system in a patient with chest pain?
Chest wall pain, costochontritis, herpers zoster, cervical disc disease, thoracic outlet syndrome
What should we keep on our DDx from the GI system in a patient with chest pain?
Esophageal spasm, GERD, PUD, pancreatitis, gallbladder
With what diagnosis is admission essential?
MI, unstable angina, PE, aortic dissection, and spontaneous pneumothorax
If a patient presents with intense, sharp, inspiratory chest pain that started yesterday and has gotten progressively worse. They also note pain is worse while lying flat - what diagnosis are you thinking? What should you be sure to ask the patient about their history?
Pericarditis Any recent illnesses?
The patient tells you that 2 weeks ago she had an upper respiratory infection, which further heightens your suspicion for pericarditis. What position is ideal for examining someone with pericarditis? What would you hear?
Sitting up, leaning forward, and blow out all air Hear → pericardial friction rub!
Besides a pericardial friction rub, what other sound goes through systole to diastole?
PDA
What will you see on EKG with pericarditis?
ST Elevation that is diffuse!
What do you see?
Diffuse ST elevation (remember most patients don’t infarct everywhere!)
What are the 3 P’s associated with pericarditis?
Position, Palpation, and Pleuritic
Besides laying down, what else aggravates pericarditis?
Movement, coughing, swallowing, and even a bump on the road
Besides pleuritic chest pain, how else can pericarditis present?
Can mimic an MI!!
What is the most common cause of pericarditis?
Viral – Coxsackie virus
What are other causes of pericarditis?
Uremia, radiation, Autoimmune diseases, and drug induced (hydralazine, procainamide, isoniazid, and PCN) Can also present = Early post MI (2nd or 3rd day) or delayed myocardial-pericardial injury syndromes (last post-MI [dressler’s syndrome] or post heart surgery [postpericardotomy syndrome])
You have heard the pericardial friction rub and have found diffuse ST segment elevation – what do you do next for pericarditis?
Echo! For pericardial effusion If present you will need to repeat in order to prove it has resolved
How do you treat pericarditis?
NSAIDs (should resolve in days to weeks)
What must you absolutely avoid in pericarditis (especially if there’s an effusion)?
Anticoagulants!! → can lead to cardiac tamponade and kill the patient AKA truly make sure it’s not an MI…
If a patient presents with acute aching, substernal chest pain with SOB. You learn she is on an OCP and pain started one hour ago. She is tachycardic but no murmurs, rubs of gallops, and lungs clear – what should you think?
Pulmonary Embolism!!
What labs should you order if you suspect a PE?
CBC, PTT, INR, and D-Dimer
What should we always remember about a d-dimer?
It’s elevated in the presence of thrombus = sensitive But not very specific…
What ECG findings would you see with a PE?
ST & NSST-T changes