Chest Pain Flashcards
What is the angle of Louis? Where is it? What is its clinical significance
sternal angle
between t4-t5
marks the point at which the costal cartilages of the second rib articulate with the sternum. This is particularly useful when counting ribs to identify landmarks as rib one is often impalpable.
What systems can cause chest pain
cvs
respiratory
msk
gastro
What is pleuritic chest pain
chest pain on inspiration
Pathologies to think about in chest pain (CVS) important
MI
Aortic dissection
pericarditis
angina (stable and unstable)
Pathologies to think about in chest pain (resp) important
PE
Pneumothorax
Pathologies to think about in chest pain (msk) important
costochondritis
muscle strain / pull
pathologies to think about in chest pain (gastro) important
peptic ulcer
indigestion
GERD
athletes ecg
can be abnormal but benign - Can have t wave inversions and st elevations
how to calculate hr in ecg
look at rhythm strip (lead II)
divide the number of large boxes (5 mm or 0.2 seconds) between two successive QRS complexes into 300.
typical evolution of the ECG changes seen in an ST-elevation myocardial infarction, starting with hyper-acute T-waves and ending with pathological Q-waves
Normal hyper acute t waves ST segment elevation improvement with ST elevation with repurfusion T wave inversion pathological q waves
typical ECG changes in stable angina
usually normal between attacks. During an attack there may be a transient ST segment depression, symmetrical T wave inversion or tall, pointed, upright T wave may appear. If the angina is provoked by exertion, an exercise stress ECG should be performed.
typical ECG changes in ACS (acute coronary syndrome)
Although the ECG may be completely normal in a patient with myocardial ischemia and evolving infarction, classic ECG changes occur in STEMI. 14 Within minutes, there is J-point elevation, and tall, peaked, “hyperacute” T waves develop; ST-segment elevation and reciprocal-lead ST-segment depression also occur.1
ECG changes in first degree heart block
here is delay, without interruption, in conduction from atria to ventricles
‘Marked’ first degree heart block is present if PR interval > 300ms
ECG changes second degree heart block Mobitz type II
A form of 2nd degree AV block in which there is intermittent non-conducted P waves without progressive prolongation of the PR interval
(PR intervals are consistent but some P waves do not conduct) - you get a normal looking P and QRS and then a random p sometimes without a QRS
ECG changes second degree heart block Mobitz type I
increasing delay of AV nodal conduction until a P wave fails to conduct through the AV node. This is seen as progressive PR interval prolongation with each beat until a P wave is not conducted. There is an irregular R-R interval.
ECG findings in atrial fibrillation
Irregularly irregular rhythm
No P waves
Absence of an isoelectric baseline
Variable ventricular rate
QRS complexes usually < 120ms, unless pre-existing bundle branch block, accessory pathway, or rate-related aberrant conduction
Fibrillatory waves may be present and can be either fine (amplitude < 0.5mm) or coarse (amplitude > 0.5mm)
Fibrillatory waves may mimic P waves leading to misdiagnosis
ECG changes suggestive of PE (including S1 Q3 T3)
A large S wave in lead I, a Q wave in lead III and an inverted T wave in lead III together indicate acute right heart strain
Normal BP
120/80
pre hypertension bp
systolic: 120–139 mm Hg diastolic: 80–89 mm Hg
hypertension bp
systolic: 140 mm Hg or higher diastolic: 90 mm Hg or higher
hypotension bp
systolic blood pressure to less than 90 mm Hg or mean arterial pressure of less than 65 mm Hg. It may be relative to a decrease in diastolic blood pressure to less than 40 mm Hg.
define accelerated hypertension
defined as a recent significant increase over baseline BP that is associated with target organ damage. This is usually seen as vascular damage on funduscopic examination, such as flame-shaped hemorrhages or soft exudates, but without papilledema.
retinal changes in accelerated hypertension
retinal vascular damage caused by hypertension. Signs usually develop late in the disease. Funduscopic examination shows arteriolar constriction, arteriovenous nicking, vascular wall changes, flame-shaped hemorrhages, cotton-wool spots, yellow hard exudates, and optic disk edema.
Complications of hypertension (serious)
stroke
retinopathy (damage to retina vasculature)
MI
Aortic dissection
abdominal aortic dissection
left ventricular hypertrophy and nephropathy
recognise Left ventricular hypertrophy on ECG
Voltage Criteria
Limb Leads
R wave in lead I + S wave in lead III > 25 mm
R wave in aVL > 11 mm
R wave in aVF > 20 mm
S wave in aVR > 14 mm
Precordial Leads
R wave in V4, V5 or V6 > 26 mm
R wave in V5 or V6 plus S wave in V1 > 35 mm
Largest R wave plus largest S wave in precordial leads > 45 mm
Non Voltage Criteria
Increased R wave peak time > 50 ms in leads V5 or V6
ST segment depression and T wave inversion in the left-sided leads: AKA the left ventricular ‘strain’ pattern
aortic dissection symptoms
Sudden severe chest or upper back pain, often described as a tearing or ripping sensation, that spreads to the neck or down the back.
Sudden severe stomach pain.
Loss of consciousness.
Shortness of breath.
abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture symptoms
sudden, severe pain in the tummy or lower back. dizziness. sweaty, pale and clammy skin.
physiology of left coronary blood flow
left coronary artery (LCA) arises from the left posterior aortic sinus and quickly bifurcates into the left circumflex artery (LCX) and left anterior descending artery (LAD), which supply blood to the left atrium and left ventricle
physiology of right coronary blood flow
right coronary artery (RCA), arising from the anterior aortic sinus, supplies blood to the right atrium, right ventricle, sinoatrial node, atrioventricular (AV) node, and select portions of the left ventricle.
define atherosclerosis
thickening or hardening of the arteries. It is caused by a buildup of plaque in the inner lining of an artery. Plaque is made up of deposits of fatty substances, cholesterol, cellular waste products, calcium, and fibrin. As it builds up in the arteries, the artery walls become thickened and stiff.
four stages of atherosclerosis
1) endothelial tissue injury: damage can occur from smoking, diabetes, abnormal level of cholesterol and other lipid, and force (hypertension)
2) Lipoprotein deposition: lipoprotein molecules can gain entry where they are then modified by oxidation (via free radicals or oxidizing enzymes) or glycation (in diabetes). This modified lipoprotein, or LDL, is inflammatory and able to be ingested by macrophages, creating “foam cells” and causing a “fatty streak” in the arterial wall.
3) inflammatory reaction: The modified LDL is antigenic and attracts inflammatory cells into the arterial wall. Also, after endothelial injury, inflammatory mediators are released further, increasing leukocyte recruitment.
4) smooth muscle cell cap formation: Smooth muscle cells migrate to the surface of the plaque, creating a “fibrous cap.” When this cap is thick, the plaque is stable; however, thin capped atherosclerotic plaques are thought to be more prone to rupture or erosion, causing thrombosis.
concept of ischaemic heart disease
term given to heart problems caused by narrowed heart arteries. When arteries are narrowed, less blood and oxygen reaches the heart muscle. This is also called coronary artery disease and coronary heart disease.
Compare and contrast stable angina with acute coronary syndromes.
Stable angina is a chest discomfort due to myocardial ischemia that is predictably reproducible at a certain level of exertion or emotional stress. The spectrum of ACS includes unstable angina (UA), non–ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), and ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).
Stable angina - brought on by exertion
ACS - more blockage - brought on by anything!
invasive and un-invasive treatments for MI
These aims can be achieved medically using intravenous (i.v.) thrombolysis or invasively either with intracoronary (i.c.) thrombolysis, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), or bypass surgery.
what is thrombolysis
also called fibrinolytic therapy, is the breakdown of blood clots formed in blood vessels, using medication. It is used in ST elevation myocardial infarction, stroke, and in cases of severe venous thromboembolism.
the “clot-busting” drug will be delivered through a peripheral intravenous (IV) line, usually through a visible vein in your arm.
Potential complications of MI
arrhythmias ventricular wall aneurysm ventricular wall rupture mitral valve prolapse Dressler’s syndrome thromboembolic complications.
what is Dressler’s syndrome
is a type of inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart (pericarditis). Dressler syndrome is believed to be an immune system response after damage to heart tissue or to the sac surrounding the heart (pericardium)
what percentage of people are right coronary artery dominant ?co-dominant? left posterior descending?
RCA - 70%
co - 20%
left - 10%
atherosclerotic constitutional risk factors
age
gender (earlier age and greater frequency in males compared to females)
genetics
atherosclerotic modifiable risk factors
hypertension (> risk of IHD by 60%)
hyperlipidaemia/hypercholesteramia
smoking
diabetes
describe stable angina (likely symptoms)
pain over sternum radiating to left shoulder/ arm, jaw, tongue, teeth pain duration from seconds to hours sharp, sticking, stabbing, knifelike obstruction >60-70% relieved by rest ECG normal or ST segment depression no cardiac biomarkers (troponin, CRP)
What is a CABG
coronary artery bypass graft
what are lipids
organic biomolecules which are soluble in non-polar solvents and much less soluble in water
they themselves are non-polar
major lipids in the plasma are
fatty acids
TAG - triacylglyerols/triglycerides
cholesterol
phospholipids
discuss triaclyglycerols
form of storage of energy (more efficient than glycogen)
formed in liver and adipose tissue
metabolism of them is regulated via triglyceride lipase
discuss cholesterol (few facts)
is a component of membranes
bile acids - synthesised in the liver and stored in gallbladder
involved in vitamin d synthesis
involved in steroid synthesis (aldosterone, cortisol and sex hormones)
what is HMG CoA reductase
stage in cholesterol synthesis where statins come in
statin is the enzyme inhibitor to stop the synthesis of cholesterol
what do lipoproteins consist of
consist of a non-polar core and a surface layer of phospholipids, cholesterol and apolipoproteins
what do apolipoproteins do
let body work out which lipoproteins are which
are chylomicrons TAG rich or cholesterol rich
TAG rich
are LDL TAG rich or cholesterol rich
cholesterol rich
5 lipoproteins
chlymicrons VLDL IDL LDL HDL
chylomicrons description
major transport of dietary fat (exogenous)
90% TAG
TAG removed from them by lipoprotein lipase
also transports cholesterol and fat-soluble vitamins
How does the body get rid of chlyomicrons
by the liver
VLDL description
-very low density lipoprotein
principal transport form of endogenous TAG
formed in the liver
TAG removed by LPL, similar to chylomicrons - making IDL (intermediate density lipoprotein)
more TAG removed with hepatic TAG lipase to form LDL
LDL description
-low density lipoprotein
formed from VLDL via IDL
10% TAG 50% cholesterol
binds to LDL receptors on cell membranes, then are broken down releasing cholesterol
uptake of LDL in the arterial wall contributes to atherosclerosis
LDL = bad cholesterol
HDL description
high density lipoprotein
synthesised in liver (and gut) - initially as nascent hdl (disc shaped)
carry cholesterol from adipose tissue to the liver and to tissues for steroid hormone synthesis
HDL = good cholesterol, want high proportion of this on blood tests
3 lipid disorders
familial hypercholesterolaemia
type III hyperlipidaemia
hypertriglyceridaemia
describe familial hypercholesterolaemia
gene? raised what? mutations affecting what?
autosomal dominant
raised cholesterol - usually TAG level is normal
several mutations affecting the LDL receptor pathway
genetic testing is available in UK
signs of familial hypercholesterolaemia
tendon xanthomata (swelling of knuckles, knees or achilles tendon) xanthelasmata (small clumps of cholesterol near inner corner of eye) corneal arcus ( pale white ring around iris)
define pathgnomonic
(of a sign or symptom) specifically characteristic or indicative of a particular disease or condition.
management of familial hypercholesterolaemia
refer to lipid clinic
cascade testing (to identify relatives with it)
start high intensity statin treatment
include diet and lifestyle advice
describe type III hyperlipoproteinaemia
gene, polymorphism of? what are increased? signs? treatment?
autosomal recessive polymorphism of APOE2 cholesterol and TAG are increased signs: palmar xanthomata ( in creases of palms) and eruptive xanthomata on knees and elbows generally responsive to diets or statins
causes of primary hypertriglyceridaemia
familial combined hyperlipidaemia
polygenic hypertriglcyeridaemia
causes of secondary hypertriglyceridaemia
uncontrolled diabetes
hypothyroidism
alcohol related liver disease
most common side effect of statins
muscle pain
what does the drug ezetimibe do
decreases absorption of cholesterol from the gut
not licensed for first line use - but can be used in combination with statins for patients with familial hypercholesteramia
describe primary prevention of lipid lowering therapy
lifestyle modification, address other CVS risks
if risk assessment indicates then start atorvastatin 20mg when >10% risk of developingCVD in 10 years
describe secondary prevention of lipid lowering therapy
start atorvastatin 80mg unless lower dose is indicated
do not delay treatment to manage modifiable risk factors