Cardiovascular Emergencies Flashcards
1. Explain concept related to the care of an ED patient experiencing a cardiovascular emergency. 2. Describe various patient presentations related to cardiovascular emergencies. 3. List interventions necessary for a patient presenting with a cardiovascular emergency.
cardiac output
SV x HR
SNS r/t HR
increases HR d/t:
- stress
- anxiety
- acute pain
- release of catecholamines
- hypotension
- drugs w/ + chronotropic effects
PNS r/t HR
decreases HR d/t:
- vagus nerve stimulation
- cardiac conduction abnormalities
- drugs with (-) chronotropic effects
heart rhythm r/t HR
some dysrhythmias can impair adequate filling of heart chambers or result in loss of atrial kick which contributes to 20-40% of ventricular filling in healthy adult
define stroke volume
amount of blood ejected from each ventricle per contraction
stroke volume overview
measured in ml/beat
amount ejected / ventricle is equal in healthy patient
positively influenced by preload and contractility
define contractility
strength of each myocardial contraction
contractility overview
significantly contributes to CO
affected by preload (Frank-Starling law), afterload, electrolyte status, myocardial oxygenation, amount of functional myocardium, and drugs with inotropic effects
define preload
volume of blood that results in pressure or stretch of the ventricles during diastole
affected by amount of venous return to heart
what increases preload?
peripheral venous constriction
alpha adrenergics (epi, norepi, dopamine)
what decreases preload?
decreased intravascular volume 2/2:
- hemorrhage
- diuresis
- v/d
- third spacing
- redistribution of blood flow
also vasodilators
define afterload
resistance to ventricular emptying during systole
negatively influences stroke volume
what increases afterload?
vasoconstriction or mechanical obstruction of ventricular outflow such as:
- aortic or pulmonic stenosis
- HTN
- hypothermia
- compensatory shock mechanisms
what decreases afterload?
- hyperthermia
- distributive shock
- vasodilators
increasing CO: adults vs children
adults: HR and SV
children: tachycardia (cannot increase SV)
define MAP
average pressure over entire cardiac cycle
(DBPx2 + SBP)/3
define pulse pressure
difference between systolic and diastolic BP
calculate via systemic or pulmonary pressure
low systemic pulse pressure
narrowing pulse pressure
decreased LV SV, blood loss, low stroke volume 2/2 shock or cardiac tamponade
high pulse pressure
widening pulse pressure
may be transient and normal effect of activity
caused by chronic or acute conditions
chronic causes of high pulse pressure
atherosclerosis
aortic regurg
acute causes of high pulse pressure
aortic aneurysm aortic dissection PDA endocarditis anxiety fever pregnancy
Cushing Triad
indicative of increased intracranial pressure
widening pulse pressure or HTN
bradycardia
irregular breathing pattern
chronotropes
affect HR (generation of electrical impulse) at SA node
inotropes
affect contractility
dromotropes
affect automaticity (electrical impulse velocity) of heart at AV node
alpha beta receptors
Alpha 1 causes peripheral vascular Constriction
Beta2 causes bronchial smooth muscle Dilation
(AB,CD)
ACE inhibitors pharmacology
-angiotensin-converting enzyme, -pril
-affect RAAS by blocking angiotensin I to angiotensin II
-results in decreased BP (HTN) and afterload (CHF)
decreased preload and -afterload via vasodilation an diuresis
ACE inhibitors adverse effects
dry cough
angioedema, rash
renal impairment
category D in pregnancy
ARBs pharmacology
- angiotensin receptor blockers, -sartan
- inhibit angiotensin II receptors
- results in vasodilation, decreased aldosterone levels, increasing excretion of Na and sparing of K+
- for HTN and CHF
- only oral
ARBs adverse effects
hypotension dizziness HA hyperK rarely dry cough
calcium channel blockers
-dipine
negative inotropic, chronotropic, dromotropic effects
beta blockers
- lol
- negative inotropic, chronotropic, dromotropic effects
- beta receptors
- cardioselective (B1) or non cardioselective (lungs) (B2)
CP risk factors
CAD angina MI stents pacemaker age, sex, genes weight, diet, smoking, exercise, stress
sx of MI
vary by vessel
- pain in chest, jaw, neck, left arm, epigastrum, scapular
- N/V
- hemodynamic instability (hypotension, sx decreased CO or shock, sob, dysrhythmias, anxiety, impending doom)
assessing MI
OPQRST onset provoke, precipitate, palliate quality radiate, region severity, sx timing
atypical MI presentations
women, elderly
- sob, palpitations
- fatigue, syncope
- n/v
- diaphoresis
- pain/discomfort
assessing MI
labs rads (CXR, echo, doppler, stress, catheterization)
phosphodiesterase inhibitors in MI
i.e. sildenafil, etc.
can lead to profoundly decreased CO with inferior wall infarct or nitroglycerins
indications of pacemaker
refractory bradycardia
heart block
idioventricular dysrhythmias
transvenous pacing
catheter electrode threaded into the right atrium or ventricle via the subclavian, internal jugular, brachial, or femoral vein
transcutaneous pacing
pad on mid-thoracic back and front of chest at lead V3
fixed or demand, 60-80 bmp, 60-80 mA, increasing 5-10 mA until capture
electrical component of pacing
pacer spike precedes each:
QRS complex (ventricular pacing) P wave (atrial pacing) both (atrioventricular pacing)
mechanical component of pacing
palpable pulse that correlates to each paced beat
lack of capture on pacemaker
acidosis
hypoxemia
wires not connected
wet/diaphoretic skin/electrodes
define cardioversion
synchronized defibrillation
cardioversion overview
with spontaneous circulation, usually hemodynamically unstable
V.tach with pulse
SVT
refractory a.fib/flutter
cardioversion procedure
sync
marker above R waves
hold defib button until shock delivered
rest sync mode for every delivery
12 lead before, during, after
why defibrillate?
lack of spontaneous circulation
most types of defibrillators
biphasic
joules for adult defibrillation
biphasic 120-200
monophasic 200-300
joules for ped defibrillation
2/kg then 4/kg
max of 10/kg
define dysrhythmias
abnormal cardiac electrical activity resulting in aberrant rhythms
asymptomatic or sx r/t altered CO
types of dysrhythmias
bradycardia tachycardia supraventricular arrhythmias ventricular arrhythmias heart block
define bradycardia
impaired/delayed electrical impulse
SA node or CNS activation of heart is affected
adults below 60 bpm
peds is age specific
causes of bradycardia
CAD aging respiratory (peds) cardiac defects drugs
sx bradycardia
hypotension ams shock cp acute HF
interventions for stable bradycardia
correct cause
atropine, IV crystalloids
if asymptomatic, observation
interventions for unstable bradycardia
correct cause
dopamine, epi infusion
transcutaneous pacing
define tachycardia
adults > 100 bpm (unstable > 150)
peds age specific
causes of tachycardia
acute pain, fever, activity CAD cardiac defects electrolytes excessive drug use/OD
sx tachycardia
anxiety, diaphoresis palpitations, chest discomfort sob dizziness, syncope hypotension, shock loss of VS MS change
interventions for stable tachycardia
correct cause
amiodarone IVPB
interventions for unstable tachycardia
cardioversion w/ sedation
regular, narrow complex: 50-100 joules, biphasic
irregular, narrow complex: 120-200 joules, biphasic
interventions for pulseless tachycardia
defib and CPR
epi q 3-5 min
amiodarone VI
interventions for tachycardia in general
cardiac work up, EP consult
cath, surgery
labs
AICD/pacemaker
where do supraventricular dysrhythmias originate?
atria
types of supraventricular dysrhythmias
- premature atrial contractions (PACs)
- paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT)
- Wolff-Parkinson-White
- AV node re-entry tachy
- a.fib
- a.flutter
Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
fast HR d/t extra/abnormal pathway between atria and ventricles
impulse travels via normal and extra route, causing impulse to travel rapidly
presence of delta wave
AV node re-entry tachycardia
more than one pathway through AV node
a.fib
common irregular pattern
many impulses in atria with complete travel thru AV node w/o coordinated electrical activity
fibrillating/quivering atria
RVR: > 100 bpm
a.flutter
1+ rapid circuits in atrium that result in organized, reg rhythm
sawtooth waves
AV conduction fixed or variable
causes of supraventricular tachycardias
conduction abnormalities CAD cardiac defects aging excessive drug use
sx supraventricular tachycardias
100-150 bpm any bp sob, dypsnea palpitations, chest tightness MS change
interventions for stable supraventricular tachycardia
vagal maneuvers
pharm cardioversion as appropriate
interventions for unstable supraventricular tachycardia
synchronized cardioversion
interventions for supraventricular tachycardia with HR > 150 bpm
cardioversion at 50-200 joules (biphasic)
amiodarone IVPB
define PVCs
originate in ventricles
failure of SA node or overriding of ventricle-generated impulses
PVC overview
“skipped’ HB sensation
usually benign but may be caused by specific condition and produce specific sx
may be bigeminal or trigeminal
3+ PVCs = tachycardia
ventricular tachycardia
w/ or w/o pulse
torsades
- polymorphic VT
- rhythm twists
- QRS variable amplitude
v.fib
quivering ventricles
no coordination for filling or ejecting of blood in chambers
causes of PVCs
blunt trauma underlying conditions (prolonged QT) heart disease hypoxic myocardium electrolytes
sx PVCs
HR 150-300 palpitations, chest discomfort syncope dyspnea hypotension loss of VS
interventions of PVCs with pulse
cardioversion (VT)
magnesium (torsades)
interventions for PVCs w/o pulse
defib, CPR, epi
correct cause
1st heart block
usually benign
prolonged PR interval