chest pain Flashcards
what to include on examinations?
VINIDCATE
v- vascular
i - infection
N - neoplasm
D- degenerative/ drugs
I - iatrogenic
C - congenital
A - autoimmune
T - trauma
E - endocrine/ metabolic
how do you assess pain?
SOCRATES
S- site
O - onset
C - character
R - radiation
A - associations
T - time course
E - exacerbating
S - severity
how do you assess pain?
SOCRATES
S- site
O - onset
C - character
R - radiation
A - associations
T - time course
E - exacerbating
S - severity
what are vascular suspicions?
vascular big 3 - ACS, PE, AAS
define aortic dissections
A tear in the aorta resulting in separation in the intima layer, causing blood flow into new channel composed of inner and outer layers of media
40% of patients with aortic dissections die instantly, why?
linked to aortic rupture, tamponade, heart failure, end organ perfusion (brain and kidneys)
What are risk factors for an aortic dissection?
hypertension
connective tissue disorders (ehlers- dandlos)
aortic vasculitis
pre-existing aneurysms
what is aortic vasculitis?
inflammation of blood vessels
describe the pain in aortic dissections?
tearing pain, worst pain experienced
radiate from chest to back and even abdo
sudden onset
apart from pain what are other symptoms of aortic dissections?
left/ right blood pressure differential
associated with syncope and sudden collapse
X ray - shows widened mediastinum
what is type A aortic dissections?
aortic regurgitation
difference in blood pressure
tear in ascending aorta
what is the treatment in type A aortic dissections?
b blocker, non- dihydropyridine CCB, opioid analgesics
surgical - root repair/ grafting, open surgery/ endovascular repair
what is type B aortic dissections?
tear in lower descending aorta
may extend to abdo
what is treatment in type B aortic dissections?
emergency - rapid b blocker (labealol)
medical - anti-hypertensives
lifestyle and risk factor management
some patients may require stenting
what is the best diagnostic tool for aortic dissections?
CT - highly diagnostic accuracy and widespread availability