CH2: CARDIO CLINICAL Flashcards
if ectopic beats are troublesome or persist how would you treat them?
offer beta-blockers
what is atrial fibrillation (AF)
- irregular rapid heart beak caused by abnormal disorganised electrical signals in the atrium
- classified by HR> 100 beats/min
what are the complications of AF and what are the risk assessments tools used?
complications of AF
- all AF pts are assessed for risk of stroke & thromboembolism
Risk assessment tools
1. CHAD2DS2-VASc
2. HASBLED
diagnosis of AF
ECG
symptoms of AF
- Heart pounding
- SOB
- Chest pain
- Heart palpilations
- Dizzinesses
- Tiredness
Briefly describe the 3 types of AF
- Paroxysmal AF = episodes last within 48 hours of treatment.
- Persistent AF = episodes last more than 7 days of treatment
- Permanent AF = present all the time
describe acute AF management for pts with life-threatening haemodynamic instability
- emergency electrical cardioversions ASAP
describe acute AF management for pts without life-threatening haemodynamic instability, with the onset of AF < 48 hours
- offer rate control and rhythm control medications
describe acute AF management for pts without life-threatening haemodynamic instability, with the onset of AF > 48 hours
- offer rate control medicaions
describe the pharmacological interventions for cardioversion.
-flecainide
-amiodarone
describe the electrical interventions for cardioversion in pts with acute AF
- start IV anticoagulants (heparins) and rule out left atrial thrombus
Briefly state the treatment for AF management (rate control); 1st line, alternative and if both are unsuitable for pts.
‘rate control’
1st line = beta-blockers (except for sotalol)
alternative = non-dihydropyridines CCB e.g. verapamil and diltiazem
if the above is unsuitable - digoxin
state the 2nd line treatment for AF management if symptoms are not controlled with 2 rate control drugs
2nd line - Cardioversion
(pharmacological or electrical cardioversions)
electrical cardioversions
- the preferred type of cardioversion for 2nd line AF treatment
Preferred in pts;
- the onset of AF > 48 hours
- patient must be anticoagulated for at least 3 weeks
- Give PO anti-coagulation for at least 4 weeks after cardioversion
- Offer amiodarone for at least 4 weeks before cardioversion and 12 months after cardioversion
pharmacological cardioversion
Anti-arrhythmic drugs
- Flecainide
OR - Amiodarone
State the 1st and 2nd line treatment if sinus rhythm is still not maintained post cardioversion.
1st line: Beta-blockers
2nd line: SPAF
Sotalol, Propafenone, Amiodarone and Flecanide.
What pts conditions are to be avoided to taking flecainide and propafenone?
- Heart failure
- Left ventricular disease
- Ischemic heart disease
what medication as a 2nd line sinus rhythm control is to be offered to pts with ventricular impairment and heart failure?
Amiodarone
what can dronedarone be used for?
- 2nd line treatment for persistent paroxysmal AF
contraindication for dronedarone?
- pts with heart failure
what is atrial flutter (AFL)
when the atria beats regularly but faster
(tachycardia effect)
state treatment options for atrial flutter
- can treat with rate/rhythm control
- electrical cardioversion is more effective/ responds better
- assess the patient’s risk of stroke
state the 2nd line treatment for atrial flutter
’ rhythm control’
- Direct current cardioversion = when rapid control of sinus rhythm is needed
- Pharmacological cardioversion = amiodarone or flecainide.
- Catheter ablation = recurrent atrial flutter
what would you offer to a pt whose atrial flutter lasts longer than 48 hours?
3 weeks of anticoagulation
1st line treatment for paroxysmal AF
beta blockers
if symptoms are persistent or 1st line treatment for paroxysmal AF is unsuitable what are other options (2nd line)?
SPAF
Sotalol
Propafenone
Amiodarone
Flecainide
State what approaches is suitable for pts experiencing infrequent episodes of paroxysmal AF
- Pill-in-the-pocket approach = the pt has PO antiarrhythmic drug to self-treat during episodes of AF if occurs
- Can also offer flecainide or propafenone as PRN for symptom control
what is paroxysmal super-ventricular tachycardia (PSVT)?
- a type of arrhythmia/ abnormal heart beat that is regular but too fast.
- a PSVT episode occurs very fast and ends abruptly
1st line treatment for paroxysmal super-ventricular tachycardia (PSVT)?
- reflex vagal stimulation (carotid sinus massage, immersing face into cold water and Valsalva manoeurve)
2nd line treatment for paroxysmal super-ventricular tachycardia (PSVT)?
- IV adenosine
3rd line treatment for paroxysmal super-ventricular tachycardia (PSVT)?
- IV verapamil
state the maintenance/prophylaxis for paroxysmal super-ventricular tachycardia (PSVT)?
‘rate control’ medications
1st line- beta blockers
or
non-dihydropyridines CCB (diltiazem or verapamil)
what medication can you give patients with super-ventricular arrhythmias and NOT with ventricular arrhythmias?
verapamil
what is ventricular tachycardia (VT)
- is a type of arrhythmia, a fast heart rate arising from the ventricles
- where the HR > 120 beats/min
Briefly state the treatment for unstable sustained ventricular tachycardia
(1st line, 2nd line and 3rd line treatment options)
1st line: Direct current cardioversion
2nd line: IV amiodarone
3rd line: Repeat direct current cardioversion
Briefly state the treatment for stable ventricular tachycardia
(1st-line and 2nd-line treatment options)
1st line: IV amiodarone
2nd line: Direct current cardioversion
Briefly state the treatment for unsustained stable ventricular tachycardia
beta-blockers
state the maintenance for pts with ventricular tachycardia
high-risk patients= have a high risk of cardiac arrest
therefore, pts must be maintained on;
1. Implanted cardioverter defibrillator
2. May add on: Beta-blockers (inc sotalol) or Amiodarone (+/- beta blockers)
causes of QT prolongation (Torsade de pointes)
- drug-induced
- hypokalemia
- severe bradycardia
management for QT prolongation (Torsade de pointes)
- usually self-limiting but recurrent may cause impaired consciousness
- IV magnesium sulphate
- Beta-blocker (NOT sotalol)
- Atrial/ventricular pacing
what class of drugs should be AVOIDED in the management of QT prolongation?
< besides the drugs causing QT prolongation>
anti-arrhythmic drugs as it prolongs QT intervals = worsens the condition
Name the different types of strokes.
Transient Ischaemic stroke (T.I.A)
Acute ischemic stroke
Haemorrhagic strokes
What is a hemorrhagic stroke?
- an artery in the brain leaks blood or ruptures.
- can lead to high BP and aneuryms
What is Transient Ischemic Attack (T.I.A)?
- a blockage of a blood vessel.
- mini stroke
- Usually lasts for a short time (~5 mins) and resolved with 24 hours
what is the underlying cause of ischemic stroke
due to the development of fatty deposits lining the vessel walls and this is called atherosclerosis.
What are the symptoms of a stroke?
FAST
- facial weakness (one-side)
- arm weakness (one-side)
- speech slurred
-time (time to dial 999)
State the initial management for a patient diagnosed with T.I.A
- 1st line: Aspirin 300 mg immediately OD or if sensitive,
- 2nd line: Clopidogrel 75mg OD
Offer PPIs e.g. omeprazole to protect the stomach lining from the use of aspirin
state the initial management of Ischemic stroke
- IV Alteplase within 4.5 hours of symptom onset.
- Then Aspirin 300mg OD or Clopidogrel 75mg OD for 14 days to prevent incidences of stroke in patients at high risk of atherosclerosis.
State the long term management of a pt for stroke without AF (1st line, 2nd line and 3rd line)
- 1st line: Clopidogrel 75mg OD
- 2nd line: (dual therapy) Dipyridamole MR 200mg OD + Aspirin 300mg OD
- 3rd line: Dipyridamole MR 200mg OD
OR
Aspirin 300mg OD
State the long-term management of a pt for stroke associated WITH AF.
Warfarin or other anticoagulants for pts with AF ONLY
State the three factors part of the long-term management of TIA/stroke
(1) Statin (if not taking already)
e.g. Atorvastatin 80mg OD should be initiated 48hrs after stroke symptoms.
(2) Monitor BP
- target <130/80 mmHg
- AVOID use of beta blockers
(3) Lifestyle advice/signposting - reducing smoking, alcohol intake, and salt. Increasing physical activity, fibre/balanced diet meals.
MoA of antifibrinolytic drugs
e.g. tranexamic acid
helps with the formation of blood clots and reducing bleeding
treatment option for mild to moderate haemophilia & von Willebrand’s disease
desmopressin
describe the 2 main types of thromboembolism (VTE) & its symptoms
- Pulmonary embolism (PE)
- a blood clot that travels to the lungs
- Symptoms: chest pain and SOB - Deep vein thromboembolism (DVT)
- a blood clot in a deep vein usually in the calf (one leg/pelvis)
- symptoms: swelling, hot to touch, painful (one leg or pelvis)
state the risk factors of VTE
- Immobility
- Surgery
- Trauma
- Pregnancy
- Obesity
- Malignancy
- Hormonal therapy: HRT/COC
state the diagnosis for VTE
D-dimer test
what are the 2 types of prophylaxis for VTE
- Mechanical
- Pharmacological
state the mechanical prophylaxis for VTE
- compression stockings
- to be worn when immobile until sufficiently mobile
state the pharmacological prophylaxis for VTE
- Anticoagulants
- start within 14 hours of admission
- assess pts risk of bleeding using ORBIT or HAS-BLED tools
- patient’s risk factors for bleeding should only receive pharmacological prophylaxis if the risk of VTE outweighs the risk of bleeding.
state the mechanical surgical prophylaxis for VTE
- compression stockings
- continued until fully mobile or discharged
state the types of pharmacological surgical prophylaxis for VTE
- Low molecular weight heparins (LWMH)
- Unfractioned heparins
- Fondaparinux
describe the use of LMWH for surgical VTE prophylaxis
- suitable for all general or orthopaedic surgeries
- longer-acting anticoagulant effect compared to unfractionated heparins
describe the use of unfractionated heparins (UFH) for surgical VTE prophylaxis
e.g. heparin
- preferred in renal impairment
- pts who have a high risk of bleeding as UFH have a shorter half-life - when stopped its anticoagulant effect stops rapidly.
describe in what surgeries is fondaparinux suitable for surgical VTE prophylaxis
- pts with lower limb immobility
OR - pts with pelvis fragility fractures
describe the type of surgical VTE prophylaxis used in cancer surgeries & for how long?
- pharmacological VTE prophylaxis
- for general cancer surgeries = usually 7 days post-surgeries or until fully mobilised
describe the type of surgical VTE prophylaxis used in spinal cancer surgery & for how long?
- extend pharmacological VTE prophylaxis for 30 days
describe the type of surgical VTE prophylaxis used in abdomen cancer surgery & for how long?
- extend pharmacological VTE prophylaxis for 28 days
describe the type of surgical VTE prophylaxis used in pts with renal impairment or bleeding risk
- pharmacological VTE prophylaxis: Unfractioned heparins (e.g. heparin)
describe the type of surgical VTE prophylaxis used in hip replacement & for how long?
- 10 days of LMWH then 28 days of Aspirin 75mg
OR
- 28 days of LMWH + compression stockings until D/C
OR
- Rivaroxaban for 35 days
describe the type of surgical VTE prophylaxis used in knee replacement & for how long?
- 14 days of Aspirin 75mg
OR
- 14 days of LMWH + compression stockings until D/C
OR
- Rivaroxaban for 14 days
describe the type of surgical VTE prophylaxis used in general/orthopaedic minor surgeries & for how long?
- pharmacological or mechanic VTE prophylaxis
- fondaparinux = pts with lower limb immobility
or - LMWH
generally for 5-7 days or until stable
describe the procedures in pregnancy VTE prophylaxis
- Pharmacological VTE proph = if VTE outweighs the risk of bleeding
- Mechanical (compression stocks) if pt is immobile
- LMWH = during hospital admission until no further use or D/C
- In events of birth, miscarriage or termination within the past 6 weeks of pregnancy
Start prophylaxis 4-8 hours after the event
Continue a minimum of 7 days
state the treatment for confirmed proximal DVT/ PE?
(1st line & 2nd line)
1st line: Rivaroxaban or Apixaban
2nd line:
- LMWH for at least 5 days then give edoxaban or dabigatran
OR
- LMWH + warfarin for at least 5 days or until INR>2 for at least 2 consecutive readings, followed by taking only warfarin.
how long would you treat for distal DVT (calf)?
6 weeks
how long would you treat for proximal DVT/PE?
3 months
6 months if pt has active cancer
how long would you treat for provoked DVT/PE (resolved cause)?
3 months
how long would you treat for unprovoked DVT/PE?
3 months +
usually, 6 months if pts has cancer
how long would you treat for recurrent DVT/ PE?
long term
how long would you treat for VTE for a pt with AF?
long term
how long would you treat for a prosthetic heart valve?
long term