Cardiovascular - Level 2 Flashcards
Description of pathology of stable angina?
- Pain (discomfort) arising from the heart due to myocardial ischaemia
- Coronary artery disease – atherosclerotic plaques cause progressive narrowing of the arteries (coronary), decreasing blood supply and thus oxygen/nutrients to myocardium
- Symptoms occur when blood flow does not provide adequate oxygen in times of high demand (exercise)
Epidemiology of stable angina?
- More than 1.5 million in UK
- CVD accounts for 25% of deaths – CHD 45% of CVD deaths
Risk factors of stable angina?
- Older age, male gender, ethnicity
- Hyperlipidaemia, hypertension, DM, obesity
- Smoker, FHx, lack of exercise, high fat diet, stress, alcohol
Symptoms of stable angina?
Central, crushing, retrosternal chest pain
o Comes on exertion, relieved by rest, exacerbated by cold weather, anger and excitement
o Radiates to arms, shoulders, jaw and neck
Provoked by physical exertion, especially after meals, anger and in cold weather
Pain fades within minutes with rest
Symptoms of decubitus angina?
o Angina lying down, associated with LV dysfunction due to CAD
Symptoms of nocturnal angina?
o Occurs at night and may wake patient, provoked by vivid dreams
o Usually in critical CAD and may be vasospasm
Symptoms of variant (prinzmetal) angina?
o Without provocation, usually at rest due to coronary artery spasm
o Often women, ST elevation during pain/spasm
Symptoms of unstable angina?
o Classed as ACS
o Increasing rapidly in severity, occurs at rest with <1 month onset
Who to refer in stable angina?
- Refer all people with typical or atypical angina to specialist chest pain clinic
Management of stable angina whilst awaiting diagnosis?
o Sublingual GTN spray used to relieve symptoms
If they experience chest pain, stop and rest, use GTN as instructed
Take 2nd dose after 5 mins, if pain still present call 999
o Aspirin (75mg) if likely to be stable angina
Initial tests in specialist chest pain service of stable angina??
Bloods
• FBC (anaemia), TFTs, HbA1c, Lipids
ECG
• May show ST depression, T wave flattening/inversion, pathological Q waves, LBBB
Diagnostic imaging in specialist chest pain service of stable angina??
1st line - CT coronary angiography
2nd line - Non-invasive functional imaging, offer when CT angiogram has shown CAD of uncertain functional significance or non-diagnostic
• Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy with SPECT
• Stress Echo
• Contrast MRI
3rd line – Invasive coronary angiography, if results inconclusive
Investigations if known CAD in stable angina? Criteria for this?
o If known CAD (previous MI, revascularisation, previous angiograpy)
Exercise testing ECG – ST depression <6 mins
Diagnosis of angina confirmed when?
- Significant CAD during invasive or 64-slice CT angiography or,
- Reversible myocardial ischaemia during non-invasive functional imaging
General advice given in management of stable angina?
o Lose weight, regular exercise, control DM
o Stop smoking, limit alcohol consumption
o Impact of stress on angina
o Take GTN before sex if needed
o Inform DVLA
Drug treatments given in stable angina?
o Sublingual GTN spray (sublingual tablets) used to relieve symptoms
If they experience chest pain, stop and rest, use GTN as instructed
Take 2nd dose after 5 mins, if pain still present call 999
o Beta-blocker/CCB (N-DHP) (1st line regular)
Use both if symptoms persist (BB & DHP CCB)
Alternatives if cannot tolerate BB/CCB or both CI: Isosorbide mononitrate, nicorandil, ivabradine, ranolazine
o Monitor 2-4 weeks after starting or changing dose
Secondary prevention of CVD in stable angina?
o Aspirin 75mg OD
o Atorvastatin 80mg OD
o ACEi (if hypertensive/diabetic)
Follow up in stable angina?
o Review every 6-12 months depending on severity
When to refer to cardiologist and for what in stable angina?
- Referral to cardiologist for angiography (and possible revascularisation) if:
o Extensive ischaemia on ECG
o On optimal drug treatment given (2 drugs max doses)
Definitive management for patient of stable angina - for people adequately controlled on medical therapy?
Consider further functional or anatomical testing (if not already available) to assess whether benefit from surgery
Coronary angiogram – if functional testing indicates extensive ischaemia or likely left main stem or proximal three-vessel disease
Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) if left main stem disease or proximal three-vessel disease
Definitive management for patient of stable angina - for people not adequately controlled on medical therapy?
Revascularisation (CABG/PCI)
Management if remain symptomatic despite reperfusion interventions?
o Offer Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy using SPECT
Complications of stable angina?
- Stroke, MI, Unstable angina
- Sudden Cardiac death
- Reduced QoL and anxiety
Prognosis of stable angina?
- Indicators of prognosis – extent and severity of CAD, LV function, exercise tolerance and comorbidities
Description of AF?
- Atrial activity chaotic and ineffective, rapidly firing cells cause conduction through atria but only proportion activate AV node
- Irregular ventricular RR intervals and often >160bpm – atrial rhythm 300-600bpm
Definition of paroxysmal AF?
2 or more episodes >30 seconds but <7days and self-terminating/recur
rent
Definition of persistent AF?
o Episodes >7 days
Definition of permanent AF?
o AF fails to terminate using cardioversion or > 1 year where cardioversion is not indicated
Definition of atrial flutter?
o Abnormal, rapid heart rhythm
o Macro-reentrant tachycardia
Types of atrial flutter?
Typical – origin in right atrium at level of tricuspid valve
Atypical – Origin elsewhere in right or left atrium
How common is AF?
- Most common sustained arrhythmia – 10% of patients >65 years
Causes of AF?
- IHD
- Hypertension
- Valvular heart disease
- Hyperthyroidism
- Rheumatic heart disease
- Sick sinus syndrome
- Heart failure
- Cardiomyopathy
- Thyroxine, bronchodilators
- Acute infection
- PE
Risk Factors for AF?
- Caffeine
- Alcohol intake
- Obesity
Symptoms of AF?
o Asymptomatic o Chest pain o Palpitations o SOB o Syncope o Reduced exercise tolerance
Signs of AF?
o Irregularly irregular pulse
o Tachycardia
o 1st HS variable intensity
o Signs of reduced LVF
Investigations to perform if suspected AF?
- Pulse – irregularly irregular
- ECG
o No P waves, chaotic baseline, irregularly irregular rate
o Tachycardia
o Atrial flutter- sawtooth baseline prominent in AVF, II, III and V1 - Bloods
o FBC, Ca, Mg, glucose, TFTs, U&Es, Cardiac enzymes
Investigations to perform if paroxysmal AF suspected?
o 24-hour ambulatory ECG monitor/7-day Holter monitor
Management of acute AF (<48 hours) - investigations?
Investigations
o Bloods – FBC, VBG, TFT, LFT, U&E
o CXR
Are there signs of haemodynamic instability?
o BP<100
o Tachycardia
o LoC or dizziness
Management of acute AF (<48 hours) - if no life-threatening signs of haemodynamic instability?
Offer rate or rhythm control if <48 hours
BB or CCB – target HR<110bpm
Consider cardioversion
Electrical DC cardioversion
Pharmacological
• IV amiodarone (preferred in structural heart disease) or IV flecainide
Offer rate control if >48 hours
Management of acute AF (<48 hours) - if haemodynamically unstable?
o O2 o Emergency electrical DC cardioversion o Treat cause o Verapamil/Bisoprolol o LMWH
Management of chronic AF - rate control?
Monotherapy Beta-blocker/CCB (bisoprolol/diltiazem)
Add on other drug if not controlled with monotherapy
Digoxin if needed/sedentary
Management of chronic AF - rhythm control?
o Refer to cardiologist for consideration of rhythm-control
o Rhythm Control (if symptoms continue after HR control or not successful)
DC cardioversion
• DC if <48 hours
• If >48 hours, need 3 weeks anticoagulation and 4 weeks after
• Amiodarone for >4 weeks before and 12 months after
Pharmacological cardioversion
• Flecainide
• Amiodarone (if structural heart disease)
Management of chronic AF - rhythm control if drug measures fail?
- Catheter ablation of left atrium or AV node or pulmonary veins
- Pacing?
Management of chronic AF - paroxysmal specifically?
PRN flecainide – Pill in the pocket
• If no LVHF, valvular disease, IHD, have BP >100 and HR >70
Management of chronic AF - anticoagulation?
o Use CHA2DS2-VASc stroke-risk score and HASBLED major-bleed score to assess risk – IN NON-VALVULAR DISEASE (valvular disease ALWAYS ANTICOAGULATE – mitral regurgitation or prosthetic valve)
o Offer anticoagulation when CHADVASc score of 2 or above/1 or above in men
DOACs (Apixaban/dabigatran) or warfarin (if DOACs not tolerated)
Calculate TTR at each visit (Rosendaal method)
Review annually
When to review anticoagulation in AF?
o Review at aged 65 if not taking anticoagulant or when they develop diabetes, HF, PAD, CHD, CVA
Management of chronic AF - general advice?
o Harmful alcohol consumption
o Inform DVLA
o Flying OK
Management of chronic AF - Follow up?
o 1 week of starting rate-control treatment
o After starting anticoagulation treatment
Warfarin
• Calculate time in therapeutic range (TTR) and INR
• Poor control need correction of compliance, medications, lifestyle factors such as diet and alcohol
Dabigatran/Apixaban
• Calculate time in therapeutic range (TTR)
• At least annually
Complications of AF?
- Stroke and thromboembolism
- Heart Failure
- Tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy
- Reduced QoL
Prognosis of AF?
- 2x more likely to die prematurely
- Associated with CVD
- 5x more likely for stroke
Description of SVT?
- Supraventricular tachycardia is narrow complex tachycardia
- Rate>100bpm, QRS<120ms
Pathology of SVT?
o Reentry circuit forming next to, or within, the AV node
o The circuit most often involves two tiny pathways one faster than the other
Types of narrow complex tachycardias?
o Sinus tachycardia o SVT o AF o Atrial flutter o Atrial tachycardia o Junctional tachycardia o WPW
Symptoms and signs of SVT?
- Palpitations
- Chest pain
- Presyncope/Syncope
- Hypotension or pulmonary oedema
- SOB
ECG findings in SVT?
o Regular rhythm
o High HR
o P waves absent or inverted after QRS (merged in T wave)
o Normal QRS
Initial management of tachyarrhythmias?
o Monitor O2, give oxygen if hypoxic
o Monitor ECG and BP and record 12-lead ECG
o Obtain IV Access
o Identify and treat any electrolyte abnormalities (K, Mg, Ca)
Bloods – U&Es, cardiac enzymes, Ca, Mg, K
VBG
ABG (if pulmonary oedema, sepsis)
Management of tachyarrhythmias - assessing for adverse features? What are they? Management of yes or no?
o Shock (sBP<90, pallor, sweating, cold, clammy, confusion) o Syncope (transient LoC) o Myocardial ischaemia (typical chest pain and/or MI on ECG) o Heart failure (pulmonary oedema and/or raised JVP)
If yes, Synchronised DC cardioversion – up to 3 attempts
• Then Amiodarone 300mg IV over 10-20 mins and repeat shock then 900mg over 24 hours
• Correct K and Mg
• Further cardioversion if needed
• Consider flecainide, lidocaine
If no, move down
• Correct K and Mg
Management of tachyarrhythmias - assessing QRS complexes?
o If >0.12s – broad complex tachycardia treatment
o If <0.12s – narrow complex tachycardia – move below
Management of tachyarrhythmias - assessing rhythm - if irregular narrow complex?
o Irregular – Treat as AF
Rate control with B-Blockers or digoxin
If <48h – cardioversion with either amiodarone 300mg IVI over 20-60 mins then 900mg over 24h or DC shock
Anticoagulation
Management of tachyarrhythmias - assessing rhythm - if regular narrow complex tachycardia?
o Regular Narrow complex tachycardia
Vagal manoeuvres (carotid sinus massage, Valsalva manoeuvre)
Adenosine 6mg IV bolus
• 2nd 12 mg and then 3rd 12mg if needed
• CI in 2o and 3o heart block, WPW and asthmatics
Continuous ECG trace
If adenosine fails, Verapamil 5mg IV over 2-3 mins (not if on BB)
• 2nd 5mg if <60
What happens if management of regular narrow complex tachycardia does not resolve with initial management?
If resolves, probable re-entrant paroxysmal SVT
If still not resolved – expert help
Description of VT?
- Broad complex tachycardias o ECG shows rate >100bpm with QRS >120ms - Ventricular tachycardia defined as >3 ventricular complexes at rate of >100 - If >30s – sustained - Can be monomorphic or polymorphic
Pathology of VT?
o The electrical signals causing this rapid beating originate in the ventricles
o May lead to life threatening conditions such as ventricular fibrillation, asystole and sudden death
Predisposing condition to VT?
o Brugada syndrome o WPW o Prolonged QT (Macrolides, metoclopramide, TCA, haloperidol, methadone) o Abnormal K, low Mg, low Ca o Structural heart disease
Symptoms and signs of VT?
- Palpitations
- Chest pain
- Presyncope/Syncope
- Hypotension or pulmonary oedema
- SOB
What is Torsades de pointes?
o Polymorphic VT associated with low Mg, K, long QT)
o QRS undulate in amplitude and may degenerate VF
o Rx with magnesium sulphate
ECG findings in VT?
o Regular, tachycardia
o Broad QRS, often bizarre
o Positive QRS concordance in chest leads
o Marked left axis deviation
o AV dissociation or AV block
o Fusion beats (normal beat fuses with VT complex)
o Capture beats (normal QRS between abnormal beats
Initial management of tachyarrhythmias?
o ABCDE Approach
o Monitor O2, give oxygen if hypoxic
o Monitor ECG and BP and record 12-lead ECG
o Obtain IV Access
o Identify and treat any electrolyte abnormalities (K, Mg, Ca)
Bloods – U&Es, cardiac enzymes, Ca, Mg, K
VBG
ABG (if pulmonary oedema, sepsis)
Management of tachyarrhythmias - adverse features?
o Shock (sBP<90, pallor, sweating, cold, clammy, confusion) o Syncope (transient LoC) o Myocardial ischaemia (typical chest pain and/or MI on ECG) o Heart failure (pulmonary oedema and/or raised JVP)
If yes, Synchronised DC cardioversion – up to 3 attempts
• Then Amiodarone 300mg IV over 10-20 mins and repeat shock then 900mg over 24 hours
• Correct K and Mg
• Further cardioversion if needed
• Consider flecainide, lidocaine
If no, move down
• Correct K and Mg
Management of tachyarrhythmias - assessing QRS complex and assessing rhythm?
- Assess QRS complex
o If >0.12s – broad complex tachycardia – see below - Assess rhythm
o Irregular – Seek expert help
Possible AF with BBB, pre-excited AF or polymorphic VT
o Regular – move on
Management of regular broad complex tachycardias?
o Amiodarone 300mg IV over 20-60 mins via central line
o Then Amiodarone 900mg over 24 hours
o May need cardioversion
Description of mitral stenosis?
- Fusion, thickening and immobility of valves leaflets reduces orifice area and leads to obstruction from LA to LV
- Atrial pressure elevates and leads to pulmonary hypertension and RVF
- Normal mitral valve orifice area is 4-6cm2 but severe stenosis is <1cm2
Epidemiology of mitral stenosis?
- 50% had rheumatic fever and 90% had rheumatic heart disease
- Women > Men
- Usually in 4th and 5th decades
Causes of mitral stenosis?
o Rheumatic heart disease following rheumatic fever Group A beta-haemolytic streptococci RF: overcrowding, poor hygiene Symptoms: sore throat (3 weeks prior), arthritis, carditis, chorea, subcutaneous nodules, fever, ESR/CRP raised Ix: antibody titres, throat swab, ECG Rx: Penicillin, aspirin o Congenital o Carcinoid tumours
Symptoms of mitral stenosis?
o Exertional dyspnoea (worsening) o Orthopnoea o Productive blood-tinged cough o Palpitations (AF) o Chest pain o Fatigue
Signs of mitral stenosis?
o Malar flush o Low volume pulse o AF o Tapping apex beat o Loud S1 o Rumbling mid-diastolic murmur (worse on expiration, left side)
Investigations of mitral stenosis?
- ECG
o Progressive RAD, AF, LA hypertrophy (bifid P wave), RVH - CXR
o Left atrial enlargement, pulmonary oedema, calcifications - Transthoracic Echo
o Diagnostic – hockey stick-shaped mitral deformity
o Used to measure mitral orifice area and assess pulmonary artery pressure - Cardiac Catheterisation
o If surgical correction planned, severe
Management of mitral stenosis - if asymptomatic?
o No treatment