Cardiovascular emergencies Flashcards
Differentiate between the ultrasound features of PE vs MI
Suggestive of PE:
- Right ventricular dilation
- Right ventricular strain/dysfunction
- Elevated Pulmonary Arterial Systolic Pressure (PASP)
Only by a skilled operator
Suggestive of Mi:
Ventricular regional wall motion abnormalities e.g. hypokinesia/akinesia
Describe the ECG features of WPW?
- short PR interval <120ms
- Delta wave slurring slow rise of the initial portion of
the QRS - QRS prolongation > 110ms
- ST Segment and T wave discordant changes i.e. in the
opposite direction to the major component of the QRS
complex - Pseudo-infarction pattern can be seen in up to 70% of
patients due to negatively deflected delta waves in
the inferior/anterior leads (pseudo-Q waves), or as a
prominent R wave in V1-3 (mimicking posterior
infarction).
How do you differentiate between type A and type B WPW?
Type A :
has a positive delta wave in all precordial leads with R/S >1 in V1
(left sided accessory pathway).
Type B:
has a negative delta wave in leads V1 and V2 (right sided accessory pathway).
What are the causes of SVT?
Causes of SVT:
- congential heart disease
- rheumatic heart disease
- previous MI
- Previous cardiac surgery
- chronic lung disease
- alcohol dependency
- digoxin toxicity
A patient presenting with an SVT that has signs of adverse features ( Myocardial ischaemia, Shock, syncopy, heart failure ) - what is your next step in the management?
As per the ALS algorithym for tachyarrythmias- 6thEdition.
- synchronised DC shock ( up to 3 attempts )
- if no response to this, then 4 steps to carry out:
- seek expert help
- administer 300mg amiodarone IV
- repeat shock
- then give 900mg Amiodarone iv over 24hours
In right ventricular myocardial infarction,
1. What drugs are contra-indicated?
- What treatment would you give in the ED?
- B-blockers and nitrates are contra-indicated.
Because b-blockers are negatively ionotropic and increase the risk of bradycardia with inferior MI.
Nitrates reduce the preload to the right ventricle and lead to hypotension. - treatment in ED with IV fluid boluses of 250mL normal saline.
- List the specific indications for commencing Non-invasive ventilation in acute heart failure?
- List the specific indications for considering Invasive ventialtion ?
Resource:
CG 187 NICE guidelines for treating acute heart failure
- Indications for Non-Invasive Ventialtions in Acute heart failure due to cardiogenic pulmonary oedema:
a. severe dyspnoea
b. and acidaemia
- Indications for Invasive ventialtion:
* physical exhaustion & reduced conciousness
* ultimately leading to respiratory arrest
What is the formula for MAP?
(( 2x DBP) + SBP ) /3
double diastolic add single systolic and divide it all by 3
NSAIDS are used in the first line management of acute pericarditis.
- Name 1 drug that can be added to aid recovery and prevent recurrence?
- name 1 drug that can be added if there is no response to NSAIDS in 48 hours?
- if no response to NSAIDS in 48 hours - steroids
2. Aid recovery and prevent recurrence- colchicine
According to the REVERT trial -
what vagal maneuvre is recommended to terminate an SVT?
15 seconds of valsalva manoeuvre
followed by leg elevation to 45 degrees
for 15 seconds
In a patient with an acutely ischaemic lower limb - What 5 clinical features need to be assessed in order to appropriately risk stratify this patient to determine further management?
RCEM Learning SAQ
- Sensory function
- motor function
- arterial doppler
- venous doppler
- capillary return
in a patient with an acutely ischaemic lower limb:
List four key management steps which are appropriate in the emergency department.
- supplemental oxygen
- iv heparin 5000 units
- iv opiate analgesia
- urgent referal to vascular surgery
What you will do if a patient presented with a repetitive ICD shocks in the absence of tachyarrhythmias that is haemodynamically well tolerated by the patient?
Place a magnet over the device to inhibit further shock delivery.
5 features of syncopy that suggest a high probability of arrythmia?
ALS 6th edition
- syncopy in a patient with a family history of SCD
- syncopy during exercise
- syncopy in supine position
- No prodromal symptoms
- recurrent and unexplained syncopy
Name any 4 common non-neurological causes of coma?
ALS 6th edition
- profound hypoxia
- hypercapnia
- cerebral hypoperfusion
- recent administration of sedatives or analgesic drugs
What are the clinical features and the ECG features of a Right ventricular MI ( complicating an inferior MI )
Clinical features of a Right Ventricular MI
- Hypotension
- raised JVP
- but no pulmonary oedema
ECG features of a right ventricular MI
- ST elevation in lead II, lead III and lead aVf
- st elevation is greater in lead II than in lead III
- st elevation also in lead V1 and lead V2
# Management of Rt ventricular MI: IV fluids avoid nitrates
- What are the ECG features of a posterior MI?
- Where would you place the modified ECG leads?
ALS 6th edition
- ECG of posterior MI:
* ST segment depression in V1, V2, V3
* Dominant R waves in V1-V3 - Modified ECG Leads:
V7 - posterior axillary line at the level of V6 horizontal line
V8 - halfway between V7 & V9
V9 - To the left of the
V10 to the right of the spine
What are the Non- ACS causes of raised troponin?
ALS 6th edition
Life threatening causes:
Pulmonary embolism
AOrtic dissection
Other cardiac casues: Rheumatic fever myocarditis pericarditis post- cardiac surgery pericardial effusion/tamponade arrythmias
Other non-cardiac causes:
uraemia
sepsis
renal failure
What are the 2 main therapies in STEMI in which coronary reperfusion may be achieved?
ALS 6th edition
- percutaneous coronary intervention ( PCI ) to re-open the occluded artery
- Fibrinolytic therapy - in an attempt to dissolve the occluding thrombus that precipitated the MI
What are the 3 indications for IMMEDIATE reperfusion therapy in Acute MI?
ALS 6th edition
Presentation within 12 hours onset of chest pain suggestive of AMI and :
- New onset LBBB
OR - ST segment elevation > 2mm in 2 adjacent chest leads or > 1mm in 2 or more adjacent limb leads
OR - ST depression in V1-V3 and Dominant R waves
What are the ABSOLUTE contra-indications to fibrinolytic therpay in a patient requiring treatment for Acute MI?
ALS 6th edition
7 ABSOLUTE contra-indications to fibrinolytic therapy:
- brain - any haemorragic CVA
- brain - recent ischaemic CVA in last 6 months
- brain - recent head injury within last 3 weeks
- brain - CNS neoplasm
- Blood -known bleeding disorder
- heart - known aortic dissection
- GIT - active GI bleed in last 1 month
In a patient with STEMI - What are the indications for rescue angioplasty?
ALS 6th edition
failed fibrinolytic management of STEMI evidenced by:
failure of ST segment elevation to resolve by > 50% from pre-treatment ECG on repeat ECG 60-90min post therapy
What are the complications of an acute MI?
ALS 6th edition
- arrythmias - vf/vt
- heart failure
- cardiogenic shock -
severe hypotension accompanied by poor peripheral perfusion and pulmonary oedema with mental confusion. Treatment with early revascularisation therapy ( PCI ) , ionotropic support or intra-aortic balloon pump. - cardiac tamponade
What are the components of the chain of survival in ALS?
ALS 6th Edition
ALS 6th edition
Early recognition
Early cpr
Early defibrillation
Post resuscitation care
you are called to assess A patient in the department that has agonal breathing. What are your immediate steps in the initial management?
ALS 6th edition
Agonal breathing is a sign of cardiac arrest.
immediately:
- shout for help
- turn patient onto his back
- open the airway with head tilt & chin lift
- keep airway open - and rapidly look, listen and feel
for 10 seconds - if no signs of life - start CPR 30:2
What is your immediate treatment In a patient that has a monitored and witnessed cardiac arrest in the cath lab OR early after cardiac surgery and the rythym is VF/VT ?
ALS 6th edition
Give 3 stacked /successive shocks and start Chest compressions immediately for 2 minutes.
These 3 stacked shocks are regarded as the 1st shock.
This is called the 3-shock strategy. can also be given to patients with witnessed VF/VT arrest if they are already connected to a manual defibrillator
A patient with an unstable arrythmia.
When selecting Defibrillator energy levels- what energy would you select in the following scenarios?
- concious patient with adverse features -
ECG shows atrial flutter or narrow QRS ( SVT ) - concious patient with adverse features -
ECG shows atrial fibrillation or broad complex QRS - cardiac arrest patient -
ECG shows VF/VT
ALS 6th edition - pg 45
- atrial flutter/SVT =
70-120J initially - Atrial fibrillation / Broad complex QRS=
120-150J - VF/VT cardiac arrest =
1st shock 150-200J
2nd shock 150-360J
What 3 interventions improve survival after cardiac arrest?
ALS 6th edition
ALS 6th edition
- Prompt effective bystander CPR
- High quality chest compressions
- Early defib in vf/vt arrest
What is the standard defibrillation pad positions to attach?
ALS 6th edition
right sternum , left apical
below the right clavicle and in the left axilla at V6 electrode position in the midaxillary line
In a patient with vf/vt after 3 shocks and rythym is still in VF. what alternate drug can be given if you have not already given amiodarone?
ALS 6th edition
Lidocaine 1mg/kg