Ch.19 Common Cardiovascular Disorders Flashcards
Describe the pericardium. What are the different layers? How much fluid is in the pericardial space?
There are two layers: the tough fibrous lay and the inner serous layer
Inner serous layer has two sublayers: the parietal and visceral (epicardium)
The pericardial space holds anywhere from 10-50ml of serous fluid.
What is pericarditis? What defines any pericarditis as being an acute event?
Pericarditis is the inflammation of the percardium
Any pericarditis that lasts no longer than 1-2 weeks is considered acute.
Is most pericarditis (90%) found to be idiopathic?
YES YES YES
What is dressler syndrome?
pericarditis, malaise, fever, and elevated WBC count weeks to months after an MI
What is constrictive pericarditis? How is this treated? is this effective?
the formation of adhesions after repeated bouts of pericarditis that dont allow the heart to fill properly during diastole.
it is treated by removing the diseased portion of the pericardium, and it isnt very effective, most people even with successful removal dont have a long term survival rate.
What is the biggest symptom that occurs in patients with pericarditis?
chest pain that seems pleuritic and worsens by breathing deeply or lying supine, relieved by sitting up, leaning forward, and shallow breaths.
What can confirm but not rule out the diagnosis of pericarditis?
pericardial friction rub (rasping or scraping high-pitched sound that varies with cardiac cycle)
Where is a pericardial friction rub best heard?
diaphragm of stethescope over the lower to middle left sternal edge.
What are some complications of pericarditis to watch out for?
constrictive pericarditis
pericardial effusion possibly leading to tamponade
What labs would be ran to see about possible pericarditis?
CBC, cardiac enzymes (inflammation may extend to myocardium), CRP, sed rate, rheumatoid factors, antinuclear antibody titers, blood culture if evidence of infection, viral study if diagnostic workup is negative.
When do most cases of pericarditis abate? is recurrence common?
after 2-6 weeks
recurrence is rare
What is the basic treatment of pericaridits?
NSAIDS (aspirin or ibuprofen)
Colchicine
steroids (if seemingly autoimmune)
What is myocarditis?
myocarditis is the inflammation of the myocardium.
What is the difference between primary and secondary myocarditis?
Primary: acute viral infection or autoimmune response to the infection
Secondary:related to a specific organism
Why is myocarditis so devastating?
its prevalence is unknown because its clinical presentation is subacute most often. It is a progressive disease with a poor prognsis becuase of the high risk for dysrhythmias, CHF, and death.
it is a leading cause of sudden death in young athletes.
How is myocarditis definitively diagnosed, but not ruled out?
endomyocardial biopsy
What things could indicate a diagnosis of myocarditis?
Do these differ from viral?
fatigue, dyspnea, palpitations, precordial discomfort, slight rise in serum enzyme levels, non-specific ST-T wave changes
with viral there is typically a delay of onset of cardiac symptoms (CHF, dysrhythmias)
How is myocarditis treated and managed?
it is very similar to the treatment for heart failure.
Help the family deal with reality of the potentially lethal disease that often doesnt resolve.
heart transplant or mechanical circulation may be the end result.
If an athlete has myocarditis,can they return to competitive sports, is so, when?
withdraw from competitive sports for at least 6 months following the onset of the disease.
returning to sports depends on normalizing cardiac function and no clinical signs of abnormal function, such as dysrhythmias
Describe endocarditis.
an infection of the endocardial surface of the hear including the valves
caused by bacteria. viral, or fungal agents.
What are some risk factors for infectious endocarditis
prior cardiac condition (including congenital heart disease)
Bloodstream infection
Mitral valve prolapse
rheumatic heart disease
IV drug use (illicit)
patients with prosthetic valves or long-term indweling devices
VALVE DISEASE
> 60 y/o
Why might there be such a rise in incidence of IE in pediatrics?
an increase in pediatric survival of congenital heart disease
Briefly describe the pathophysiology of the development of IE.
enodothelial damage creates turbulent blood flow
This blood flow aggregates platelets (especially in patients in hypercoagulable state)
platelet or fibrin clot on valve leaflet forms
clot is exposed to bacteria in the blood (commonly from dental or urologic procedures)
bacteria proliferates and interferes with normal valve function and eventually damages structure
these non-functioning valves can eventually lead to heart failure an particles from the vegetations or valves can become thrombii.
How does bacteria manage to proliferate on vegetations and valves?
turbulent blood flow concentrates number of bacteria by vegetation
vegetation itself covers bacteria with layers of platelets and fibrin protecting the colony from bodies defenses
When will symptoms of endocarditis usually occur within in relation to a precipitating event?
2 weeks
What are the possible processes that can cause symtpoms of endocarditis in a 2 week period?
bacteremia
fungemia
valvulitis
immunologic response (?)
peripheral emboli
What are some initial, nonspecific complaints that someone presenting with endocarditis may have?
malaise
anorexia
fatigue
weight loss
night sweats
FOCUS ON HISTORY AND PHYSICAL EXAM WHEN NONSPECIFIC SYMPTOMS APPEAR