Cardiovascular Examination Flashcards
To remember the stages of a cardiology examination and learn the underlying pathology
What are you looking out for when ‘inspecting from the end of the bed’?
GTN spray ECG leads Pacemaker Oxygen Pillows (HF or pulmonary oedema) Catheter bags IV fluids Cigarettes
What signs on the patient should be observed from general inspections
Anaemia Visible pulsations SOB Pallor Oedema Cyanosis Malar rash Oedema Nutritional state Syndromic features (Down’s, Marfan’s) Scars- Mitral valvotomy, Thoracotomy
What would shortness of breath be indicative of?
Cardiac problems: Congestive heart failure Pericarditis Respiratory problems: Infection (pneumonia) Pulmonary embolism
What would cyanosis be suggestive of? (Name 2 things)
Hypovolemia Inadequate oxygenation (right to left shifting)
What is pallor indicative of?
Poor perfusion -> congestive heart failure Anaemia -> haemorrhage, chronic disease
What would pillows, to prop up the patient during sleep, suggest?
Orthopnoea (congestive heart failure)
What are you looking for when inspecting the dorsum of the hands and what are these signs indicative of?
Splinter haemorrhages- micro emboli suggestive of infective endocarditis Peripheral cyanosis- suggestive of heart failure or congenital heart failure
What are you looking for when inspecting the palmar side of the hands?
Tar staining Xanthomata Osler’s nodes (node); Janeway lesions (non tender on thenar and hypothenar areas) Clubbing
What is xanthomata and what does it suggest?
Yellowish cholesterol deposits under the skin around tendons, indicative of hyperlipidemia/familial hypercholestremia
How long should capillary refill time be?
<3 seconds
Describe the characteristics, pathophysiology and pain associated with Osler’s nodes
Tender, red palpable lesions on fingers caused by immune complex deposition in infective endocarditis
Describe the characteristics, pathophysiology and pain associated with Janeway lesions
Non-tender, red lesions caused by deposition of septic emboli and microabscess formation in infective endocarditis
What cardiovascular diseases could clubbing of the fingers be suggestive of?
Atrial myxoma Congential cyanotic heart disease Endocarditis (subacute)
Give three signs of infective endocarditis
Clubbing Poor dentition Splinter haemorrhages
What is CO2 retention flap and how do you test for it?
Ask patient to cock hands up and hold in place. Must complete for 30 seconds to say not present. Hypercapnic patients experience tremors
What is atrial myxoma?
A non-cancerous tumour in one of the atria of the heart
What should you look for when assessing the radial pulse?
Rate- Brady<60bpm and tacky >100bpm Character - bounding? radio-radial delay? collapsing pulse? Volume (thready - sepsis, hypovolemia)
What may cause bradycardia?
Heart block Heart rhythms
What may cause tachycardia?
Supraventricular arrhthmias Sepsis Phaeochromocytoma Anxiety
State two irregular rhythms
irregularly irregular- Atrial Fibrillation regularly irregular - Heart block