Chest Pain Flashcards
Approximately what % of patients presenting to AandE with chest pain will have a cardiovascular aetiology?
25%
What is the most common cause of myocardial ischaemia ?
Coronary artery disease (atherosclerosis)
Give 6 other potential causes of myocardial ischaemia
- Aortic stenosis
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- Tachyarrythmias
- Cocaine use
- Anemia
- Thyrotoxicosis
What are the 2 non ischaemic cardiovascular causes of chest pain?
- Aortic dissection
2. Pericarditis
Name 4 upper GI conditions that may cause chest pain
- GORD (gastro-oesophageal reflux disease)
- Gallstones
- Peptic Ulcer
- Pancreatitis
Give 4 respiratory conditions that may present with chest pain
- PE
- Pneumothorax
- Pneumonia
- Pleurisy
Give a MSK differential of chest pain
Costochondritis
How is visceral pain commonly characterised?
Diffuse/ poorly localised
Which chest pain differential is associated with a very sudden onset?
PE
Chest pain described as ‘pressure, heavy, tight’ is most likely one of which two differentials?
- ACS - Acute coronary syndrome
2. GORD
Severe ‘ripping’ chest pain is associated with which differential?
Aortic dissection
Sharp, ‘stabbing’ chest pain commonly refers to what?
Pleuritic pain
Which differential of chest pain is associated with referred pain to the right shoulder?
Cholecystitis (Gallstones)
Which 3 chest pain differentials are most closely associated with hypotension/ syncope?
- PE
- ACS
- Aortic Stenosis
Give 4 differentials that can be associated with positional chest pain
- Pericarditis
- GORD
- MSK pain
- Pancreatitis
Which physical examinations are appropriate on a patient presenting with chest pain?
- CV
- Resp
- Abdo
What are the 3 characteristics of ‘typical’ angina?
- Constricting discomfort in the front of the chest, or in the neck, shoulders, jaw or arm
- Precipitated by physical exertion
- Relieved by rest or GTN within around 5 minutes
Define atypical angina
Chest discomfort which meets two of the 3 characteristics of typical angina
Give the main risk factors associated with developing coronary artery disease? (6)
- Age
- Gender
- Diabetes
- Hyperlipidaemia
- Smoking
- Hypertension
What is a collapsing pulse primarily an indicator of?
Aortic regurgitation
Define ‘thrills’ felt on clinical examination of the chest
Palpable murmurs
What do parasternal heaves indicate on clinical examination?
Right ventricular hypertrophy
Name the first line diagnostic investigation for suspected stable angina
64 slice CT coronary angiography
What is the normal range of the PR interval on an ECG?
0.12-0.2 seconds
At what size is the QRS wave deemed to be broad complex?
> 0.12 seconds
Which 3 ECG changes can indicate the presence of coronary artery disease
- Pathological Q waves
- LBBB
- ST segment or T wave abnormalities
What do pathological Q waves indicate on ECG?
Current or prior myocardial infarction
What are the characteristics of pathological Q waves? (4)
- > 40ms wide
- > 2mm deep
- > 25% of the depth of the QRS complex
- Seen in leads V1-V3
What are the ECG characteristics of LBBB? (3)
- Broad QRS
- Deep S wave in V1
- No Q waves in V5/V6
Name the 3 main types of cardiovascular disease seen in the UK
- Coronary artery disease
- Stroke
- Peripheral artery disease
What are the 9 modifiable risk factors most closely associated with an individual patient’s risk of having a heart attack?
- Smoking
- Poor diet
- High blood cholesterol
- Hypertension
- Insufficient physical activity
- Overweight
- Diabetes
- Psychosocial stress
- Excessive alcohol consumption
The closure of which 2 heart valves cause the S1 heart sound?
Mitral and tricuspid valves
The closure of which 2 heart valves causes the S2 heart sound?
Aortic and pulmonary valves
Characterise the heart murmur: Aortic Stenosis
Systolic ejection murmur - crescendo-decrescendo murmur
In which area is an aortic stenosis murmur best heard?
Aortic area - 2nd intercostal space, right sternal edge
Characterise the heart murmur: Mitral Regurgitation
Pan-systolic murmur
To what area will mitral regurgitation radiate to?
Axilla
Characterise the murmur associated with mitral valve prolapse
A mid-systolic non ejection click
Mitral valve prolapse is commonly concurrent with which other form of valve disease?
Mitral regurgitation
Characterise the heart murmur: Aortic regurgitation
Decrescendo early diastolic murmur
Characterise the heart murmur: Mitral stenosis
Opening snap following by a mid diastolic rumble
The ‘opening snap’ extra heart sound is associated with which heart murmur?
Mitral stenosis
A systolic ejection click is associated with which heart murmur?
Aortic stenosis
A non ejection systolic click is associated with which form of heart valve disease?
Mitral valve prolapse