Cardiovascular Examination Flashcards
What exposure is required for a cardiovascular examination?
From the pubic symphisis upwards
What position is required for a cardiovascular examination?
Supine position with the upper body elevated 45 degrees
What are the surface projections of the heart?
What pulses are palpated for a cardiovascular examination (8)?
- Common Carotid Pulse
- Brachial Pulse
- Radial Pulse
- Ulnar Pulse
- Femoral Pulse
- Popliteal Pulse
- Posterior tibial Pulse
- Dorsalis pedis Pulse
How does one assess the common carotid artery pulse?
- Palpated in the neck: medial to the sternocleidomastoid muscle and lateral to the thyroid cartilage
- Make sure the patients head is straight if the neck to twisted to the left you will not be able to palpate the right common carotid pulse
How does one assess the brachial artery pulse?
- In the cubital fossa
- Medial side of the tendon of biceps brachii and keep the elbow fully extended
How does one assess the radial artery pulse?
- At the wrist between the distal end of the radius and lateral to the tendon of flexor carpi radialis muscle
How does one assess the ulnar artery pulse?
- At the wrist over the distal end of the forearm lateral to the tendon of flexor capri ulnaris muscle
How does one assess the femoral artery pulse?
How does one assess the popliteal artery pulse?
How does one assess the posterior tibial artery pulse?
How does one assess the dorsalis pedis artery pulse?
What is assessed is peripheral pulses (5)?
- Pulse rate
- Rhythm
- Character and volume
- Symmetry of pulses
- Radio-femoral delays between major arteries
How is the apex beat assessed?
- To palpate for the apex beat you should first locate the 2nd rib by finding the sternal angle as they are on the same level
- Afterwards, you should count down to the 5th intercostal space on the left and move laterally to the mid-clavicular line
- Once you have done so you should start to feel for the apex beat laterally and move more medially in case the apex beat is displaced
- The apex beat is non-palpable in many patients but you can ask the patient to lean towards their left side, which may help you to feel it
- You can also get the patient to jog on the spot for 1 minute to increase their heart rate but this would waste valuable time during the exam
How are heaves assessed?
- To feel for heaves place your hand vertically adjacent to the sternum on the left and right side
- If heaves are present you should feel the heel of your hand lift off the chest
How are thrills assessed?
- Thrills are felt in the same areas as the points of auscultation across all 4 valves as they are just palpable murmurs
- To feel for them instead place your hand horizontally with your fingers more than the rest of your hand as they are more sensitive to the vibrations
What is the clinical significance of heaves?
- The main causes of heaves are hypertrophy of the left or right ventricle depending on where you feel the heaves due to there being more muscle to push against the anterior chest wall
Where does the auscultation of the aortic valve take place?
- Right 2nd intercostal space next to the sternum
Where does the auscultation of the pulmonary valve take place?
- Left 2nd intercostal space next to the sternum
Where does the auscultation of the tricuspid valve take place?
- Left 5th intercostal space near the sternum
Where does the auscultation of the mitral valve take place?
- Left 5th intercostal space at the mid-clavicular line
What are the 2 types of aortic murmurs (accentuating manoeuvre: get the patient to lean forward and get them to breath out)?
- Aortic Stenosis
- Aortic Regurgitation
What are the 2 types of mitral murmurs (accentuating manoeuvre: get the patient to lean forward and get them to breath out)?
- Mitral Stenosis
- Mitral Regurgitation
How does aortic stenosis present on auscultation?
- Ejection Systolic Murmur
- Radiates to carotid arteries
- Loudest on Expiration
How does aortic regurgitation present on auscultation?
- Early Diastolic Murmur
- No radiating sounds
- Loudest on Expiration
How does mitral stenosis present on auscultation?
- Low rumbling mid-diastolic with opening snap murmur
- Radiates to left axilla
- Loudest on Expiration
How does mitral regurgitation present on auscultation?
- Pan-systolic murmur
- Radiates to the left axilla
- Loudest on expiration
What is sinus bradycardia? What are the possible causes (2)?
-
ECG appearance:
- Each P wave is followed by a QRS complex (1:1)
- Rate is regular (even R-R intervals) and slow (
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Causes:
- Vagal stimulation
- Muscular heart (reduced heart rate to maintain same cardiac output)
What is sinus tachycardia? What are the possible causes (1)?
-
ECG appearance:
- Each P wave is followed by a QRS complex (1:1)
- Rate is regular (even R-R intervals), and fast (>107bpm)
-
Causes:
- Often physiological response (i.e. secondary)