Cardiovascular Part 1 Flashcards
Summarize the typical signs and symptoms of angina.
Non-provokable mid-strenal chest pressure/squeezing, poorly localized and radiating to jaw, arms, back, neck, often brought on by exertion.
Describe some associated symptoms of angina.
dyspnea, nausea, diaphoresis, numbness, fatigue
Differentiate stable angina from unstable angina.
Stable angina is exacerbated by physical activity and relieved by rest and/or up to 3 doses NTG. Unstable may begin at rest and is not relieved by rest or NTG.
Describe Prinzmetal angina.
vasospasm at rest with preservation of exercise capacity.
Describe ECG findings associated with angina.
Horizontal or downsloping ST depression, non-specific T wave changes, poor R wave progression
Differentiate a physical stress test from a pharmacological stress test and state which is more beneficial.
Physical is usually done on a treadmill and is the most useful and cost effective. STD > 1mm is positive. Pharmacological uses adenosine or dipyridamole with injection of a radioactive tracer that produces computer images of the heart. Used in patients that can’t tolerate exercise.
What is the gold standard test for evaluation of angina?
Coronary angiography (cath) –> costly and invasive.
List risk factors for angina
CAD, HTN, DM, age > 65, family history, obesity, hyperlipidemia, smoking, alcohol, women > men.
Define metabolic syndrome.
3+ of: abdominal obesity, triglycerides > 150, HDL < 40 (men) or < 50 (women), HTN, fasting BGL > 110
Describe the drug of choice for acute management of angina.
NTG: decrease preload (mycardial demand) and decreases coronary vasospasm.
List the AEs and contraindications (CI) of NTG.
AE: HA, flushing, hypotension, peripheral edema
CI: SBP < 90, RV infarction, PDE-5 inhibitor use
Describe the daily administration of a long acting nitrate.
Should include an 8-10 hour treatment free interval to avoid development of tolerance.
List and describe 6 other medications used in the management of angina.
Beta-blockers (BBs): prolong filling time and dec myocardial oxygen demand - 1st line for chronic angina
ACEIs: most useful in patient’s with heart failure
CCBs: used when BBs are contraindicated or max’d
Platelet inhibitors (ASA/plavix)): reduce possibility of infarction
Ranolazine: reduces flow of Ca into cells (similar action to CCBs and BBs)
Statins: for patients with increased LDL
Describe the pathophysiology of angina.
Insufficient myocardial oxygen supply s/p narrowing (constriction or atherosclerosis) of coronary arteries.
Describe some signs or symptoms that make an arrhythmia unstable.
chest pain, dyspnea, altered mental status, hypotension, cool/pale skin, weak pulses.
Differentiate broadly the management of stable vs unstable arrhythmia.
Stable: medications
Unstable: electricity (cardioversion or pacing)
List treatment options for sinus bradycardia.
Atropine, epinephrine, dopamine, transcutaneous or transvenous pacing.
List some common causes of sinus tachycardia.
exercise, emotion, pain, fever, shock, anemia, thyrotoxicosis, heart failure, drugs
What heart rate cut-off generally defines SVT?
> 150
What is the most common cause of a regular, narrow complex SVT?
AV nodal re-entry
List treatment options for SVT.
If sinus tach, treat underlying cause. Synchronized cardioversion if unstable. Valsalva/carotid sinus massage. Meds: adenosine, amiodarone, CCB, BB, procainamide. Catheter ablation.
Name and describe the most common chronic arrhythmia.
Atrial Fibrillation - characterized by irregularly irregular narrow QRS complexes and no discernible p waves.
What pathology can result from atrial fibrillation?
Decreased cardiac output and embolic events.
What is meant by the term “holiday heart”?
Atrial fibrillation brought on by excessive alcohol use.
Differentiate ongoing medical management of a-fib in patients with heart failure from those without.
HF: digoxin, amiodarone, dronedarone
No HF: metoprolol, esmolol, diltiazem, verapamil
What is an important consideration when determining treatment of a-fib with rapid ventricular response?
Ensure anti-coagulation - may consider synchronized cardioversion if unstable.
Describe atrial flutter.
Typically regular QRS complexes with saw tooth p wave pattern.
Describe treatment options for atrial flutter.
Unstable: synchronized cardioversion at 50J
Stable: anticoagulants and rate control (BB/CCB)
Sustained/recurrent: catheter ablation
Dofetilide (class III) if anti-arrhythmic therapy is chosen
Describe premature ventricular contractions (PVCs).
Early, wide and bizarre QRS complexes with no p wave. Common and benign but more frequent with myocardial irritability (ischemia or electrolyte disturbance).
Describe ventricular tachycardia.
3+ consecutive PVCs. May be stable, unstable, or pulseless. Frequent complication of acute MI and dilated cardiomyopathy.
Describe the treatment of stable, unstable, and pulseless ventricular tachycardia.
Stable: amiodarone, lidocaine, procainamide
Unstable: synchronized cardioversion
Pulseless: defibrillation and CPR
Describe torsades de pointes.
Polymorphic V-Tach whose QRSs twist around the baseline. Results from hypoMag, hypoK, or prolonged QT.
Describe treatment for torsades de pointes.
Mag, d/c causative med, correct electrolyte abnormality.
Describe Brugada Syndrome.
Congenital abnormality of the heart’s conduction system that leads to syncope and sudden cardiac arrest. May require placement of ICD.
Describe sick sinus syndrome and state the definitive treatment.
sinus brady, sinus pause, sinus arrest, or episodes of alternating brady/tachy usually found in elderly. Definitive treatment is permanent pacemaker.
Describe the four types of AV Blocks.
1: prolonged p-r with no extra p waves.
2-I: progressively lengthening p-r leading to a non-conducted p wave.
2-II: intermittently non-conducted p-waves
3: complete dissociation between p waves and QRSs
Describe the treatment of AV blocks.
If symptomatic and unstable, may consider atropine but transcutaneous or transvenous pacing is often required. Permanent pacing is the definitive treatment.
Define CHF.
Inability of the heart to pump sufficient blood to meet the metabolic needs of the body at normal filling pressure.