Cardiovascular list conditions (red and orange) Flashcards
1
Q
Aortic stenosis (orange):
- Define/epidemiology
- Aetiology/risk factors
- Pathophysiology
A
- Obstruction of blood flow across the aortic valve due to aortic calcification. Progressive and long subclinical period. Most prevalent in elderly (rates increasing)
- Can be congential (BAV) or acquired (degenerative calcification, RHD). RF: >60, congenital defect.
- Active process similar to atherosclerosis leading to deposition of calcium on the valve. There is a pressure gradient and LV hypertrophy to compensate leading to heart failure.
2
Q
Aortic stenosis (orange):
- Clinical manifestations
- Investigations
- Differentials
A
- Angina (increased myocardial demand), dyspnoea on exertion, syncope (only valve defect with syncope - heart cannot maintain CO)
- Echocardiography (also ECG)
- IHD
3
Q
Atrial stenosis (orange):
- Management
- Complications
- Prognosis
A
- Surgical replacement or TAVI if symptomatic, or decreasing EF. If not, surveillance. Vasodilators (ACEi) are contraindicated because they reduce BP which requires heart to increase CO which can be a problem in HF
- Acute congestive heart failure, sudden cardiac death
- Can become severe over 25yrs but can be less. HF gives poor prognosis (2 years)
4
Q
Mitral regurgitation (orange):
- Define/epidemiology
- Aetiology/risk factors
- Pathophysiology
A
- Where the mitral valve refluxes back into the LA. This is common, but prevalence not increasing as less associated with age.
- Myxomatous degeneration - too much tissue on the valve, Ischaemic MR. RF = mitral valve prolapse, IE, Hx of cardiac trauma
- LV suffers pure volume overlaod cause LVH (leading to progressive heart failure) and LA enlargement (leading to pulmonary hypertension). LVH is more prominent in this condition compared to AS
5
Q
Mitral regurgitation (orange):
- Clinical manifestations
- Investigations
- Differentials
A
- Dyspnoea, palpitations, pansystolic murmur, displaced apex beat
- Echocardiography (maybe ECG, CXR)
- ACS, MS
6
Q
Mitral regurgitation (orange):
- Management
- Complications
- Prognosis
A
- Surgical treatment (replacement or repair), percutaneous approaches emerging (surgery indicated in symptomatic or decreasing EF). If not, serial echo, IE prophylaxis and treat HTN.
- AF, pulmonary hypertension and LVH causing CHF
- Compensatory phase of 10-15years with LVH. Once patient is symptomatic, mortality rises sharply from HF and progressive dyspnoea.
7
Q
Chronic coronary syndrome/angina (red):
- Define/epidemiology
- Aetiology/risk factors
- Pathophysiology
A
- This is a form of ischaemic heart disease where there is inadequate blood supply to the heart. It is progressive, no necrosis. It is very prevalent, particularly at high ages.
- Atherosclerosis (arteries clogged with plaques) is the main cause (reduced supply) however increased demand (LVH, anaemia) is also a cause.
- Covered. It is progressive but symptoms occur suddenly due to Poiseuille’s law.
8
Q
Chronic coronary syndrome/angina (red):
- Clinical manifestations
- Investigations
- Differentials
A
- Chest pain radiating up during exercise that is relieved when exercise stops and breathlessness. Also fluid retention and syncope.
- Resting ECG, routine bloods (anaemia), lipid profile, fasting blood glucose
- Pericarditis, PE, chest infection
9
Q
Chronic coronary syndrome/angina (red):
- Management
- Complications
- Prognosis
A
- Initially lifestyle education (stop smoking, exercise), antiplatelet therapy to prevent MI, lipid lowering therapy, antihypertensives (B blocker, ACEi) and GTN spray. If angina symptoms persist then revascularisation (PCI or CABG)
- Ischaemic heart failure, MI
- With lifestyle modification and medications there is a reduction in symptoms and a good prognosis.
10
Q
Acute coronary syndrome - STEMI (red):
- Define/epidemiology
- Aetiology/risk factors
- Pathophysiology
A
- This is where there is myocardial cell death due to a lack of blood supply, so severe there is ST segment elevation in 2 leads. This is very common, but incidence is dropping.
- Mainly atherothrombotic occlusion of a coronary artery. CHD is leading cause/atherosclerosis. Plaque ruptures causing blood clot. RF: Age, smoking, HTN, DM, FH, hyperlipidaemia
- If occulsion is severe and persistent, myocardial cell necrosis follows causing LV failure.
11
Q
Acute coronary syndrome - STEMI (red):
- Clinical manifestations
- Investigations
- Differentials
A
- Chest pain radiating up to neck, distress, anxiety, dyspnoea, Pansystolic murmur.
- ECG - STEMI occurs within hours. Also classify by (non-)Q wave. Serum troponin distinguishes unstable angina.
- NSTEMI, unstable angina, pericarditis
12
Q
Acute coronary syndrome - STEMI (red):
- Management
- Complications
- Prognosis
A
- Aspirin + Ticagrelor (P2Y2i), morphine, GTN, oxygen, anticoagulants and PCI/thrombolysis.
Secondary prevention - modify RF and medication (statins, antihypertensives, antiplatelet therapy etc.) - Cardiac arrest, cardiogenic shock, valve defects
- Not good, many die.
13
Q
Acute coronary syndrome - NSTEMI (red):
- Define/epidemiology
- Aetiology/risk factors
- Pathophysiology
A
- Same as MI but with no ST elevation. About 50% of MI are STEMI
- CHD is the leading cause. Same RF as STEMI
- Same as STEMI really, however for a NSTEMI, there is usually partial or near-complete occlusion of a coronary artery resulting in compromised blood flow to myocardium with subsequent injury/infraction demonstrated by elevated troponin.
14
Q
Acute coronary syndrome - NSTEMI (red):
- Clinical manifestations
- Investigations
- Differentials
A
- Chest pain radiating up to the neck, distress, sweatiness, dyspnoea (same as STEMI).
- ECG - check for ST elevation, serum troponin confirms either STEMI or NSTEMI
- Stable angina, pericarditis, STEMI, PE
15
Q
Acute coronary syndrome - NSTEMI (red):
- Management
- Complications
- Prognosis
A
- For acute presentation: Antiplatelet therapy, O2 adjunct, GTN + morphine, beta blocker, CCB. Assess need for PCI. Post stabilisation give cardiac rehab, antiplatelet therapy, Bblockers, statins, ACEi, ARB
- Cardiac arrhythmias. Other complications like CHF, cardiogenic shock are lower risk than in STEMI
- High risk of morbidity and mortality from future event.
16
Q
Unstable angina (red):
- Define/epidemiology
- Aetiology/risk factors
- Pathophysiology
A
- Same as NSTEMI but there is no necrosis. Characterised by chest pain at rest with crescendo pattern or new onset angina. Very common.
- CAD is the cause in nearly all cases. RF = F, PH/FH of CAD, increased age.
- There is a rupture of a plaque stimulating platelet activation and thrombus formation but the thrombus is not usually completely occlusive.
17
Q
Unstable angina (red):
- Clinical manifestations
- Investigations
- Differentials
A
- Same as STEMI/NSTEMI - increasing frequency/severity of chest pain or dyspnoea.
- ECG - rarely changes, serum troponin should not have risen.
- Stable angina, NSTEMI, STEMI
18
Q
Unstable angina (red):
- Management
- Complications
- Prognosis
A
- First line - similar to STEMI/NSTEMI: oxygen, nitrates, morphine for pain, beta blocker + dual antiplatelet therapy (aspirin + clopidogrel/ticagrelor). Secondary prevention - statin, ACEi, CCB. Assess need for PCI/CABG.
- Iatrogenic bleeding, CHF, ventricular arrhythmias
- Still bad, mortality almost equal to ST elevation.