Clasp Sudden Death Flashcards
What is central dogma?
how genes become protein
What is the function of exons?
part of genetic code that codes for protein
What happens to introns to make a protein?
have to be spliced
What is a promotor sequence?
Part of genetic code that tells RNA transcriptase where to start
What is a missense mutation
point mutation in which a single nucleotide change results in a codon which codes for a different amino acid
What is a conserved gene?
a gene that has remained essentially unchanged through evolution- suggests its unique and essential
How do you correct QT interval for HR?
QT interval/ (square root of R-R)
What cardiac arrhythmia is classically associated with long QT syndrome?
torsades de pointes
What is the defining characteristic of ventricular tachycardia?
QRS complex is greater than 120ms
What drug class is used in the treatment of long QT syndrome?
beta blockers
What is shock?
inadequate organ perfusion leading to inadequate oxygen delivery to tissues and eventually organ failure
What are the 5 types of shock?
hypovolaemic; cardiogenic; septic; anaphylactic and neurogenic
What is the most common infection to cause septic shock?
gram positive bacterial infection
What are examples of causes of neurogenic shock?
spinal cord injury; spinal anaesthesia
What are the common signs of shock?
tachycardia; hypoxia; tachypnoea; increased capillary refill time; decreased UO; pallor; cold
What is Frank Starling’s Law?
increasing end diastolic volume eg preload increased the cardiac output
What is afterload?
resistance LV must overcome to circulate blood
What are the two equations for CO?
CO=HRxSV; CO=MAP/SVR
What is oxygen delivery (DO2) equal to?
CO x CaO2
What makes up arterial oxygen content?
o2 with haemoglobin and dissolved o2
What is the pathogenesis of anaphylactic shock?
sensitised mast cells have IgE on surface which allergen binds to, causing mast cell degranulation and release of inflam mediators eg histamine and PGs, histamine activate H1 receptors on endothelium making hte vessels leaky
How does adrenalide counteract anaphylaxis?
binds to adrenergic receptors on endothelium to close up leaks which reverses process of anaphylaxis
What are the features of cardiogenic shock?
pulmonary oedema and hypotension
What is the key issue in cardiogenic shock?
heart failure
What is the key issue in neurogenic shock?
loss of sympathetic outflow in thoracic spine
What is sepsis 6?
Blood cultures Urine output Fluid challenge Antibiotics Lactate Oxygen
What are the reversible causes of cardiac arrest?
hypovolaemia; hypoxia; hypothermia; metabolic causes; tension pneumo; cardiac tamponade; toxin and thrombus
What heart rhythms is immediate defibrillation appropriate for?
VF and pulseless VT
What is the pathophysiological process underlying cardiac arrest with hypovolaemia?
inadequate stroke volume to maintain cardiac output
What is the pathophysiological process underlying cardiac arrest with hypoxia?
lack of oxygen at amitochondrial level in the myocytes
What is the pathophysiological process underlying cardiac arrest with hypothermia?
slows metabolic activity until enzymes stop functioning
What is the pathophysiological process underlying cardiac arrest with metabolic causes?
destroys electro-chemical balance across cell membrane
What is the pathophysiological process underlying cardiac arrest with tension pneumo?
greater pressure in pleural cavity then in lung squashes the lung
What is the pathophysiological process underlying cardiac arrest with tamponade?
myocardium squashed by pericardial fluid
What is the pathophysiological process underlying cardiac arrest with thrombus?
clot in lungs/coronary vessels preventing flow
What is the treatment for cardiac arrest caused by hypoxia?
oxygen and atropine
What is atropine?
a muscarinic receptor antagonist
What is cardiac arrest?
cardiac output is not sufficient for a palpable carotid pulse
What drugs are used in cardiogenic shock?
inotropes eg dobutamine, milnarone
What are the indicators of severe sepsis?
tachypnoea >=22; hypotension systolic <100mmHg; altered mental status
What are the 3 important types of thrombus causing cardiac arrest?
PE; atherosclerotic plaque; amniotic fluid embolism
What is the time for clinical death to biologic death under normal temp?
3-6mins
What is the difference between biologic death and clinical death?
clinical death is a reversible state
What is the most common cause ofcardiac arrest?
coronary heart disease
How often should adrenaline be given in ALS?
every 3-5mins
When should amiodarone be given in ALS?
after 3 shocks
How deep should cardiac compression be?
5-6cm
How many cardiac compressions be done?
100-120/min
Why should you not lean whilst doing CPR?
to ensure recoil without losing contact between hands and sternum
What can be used to meausre CPR in real time?
waveform capnography
What are the non-shockable rhythms?
PEA and asystole
What are the features of VF?
bizarre irregular waveform; no recognisable QRS complexes; random freq and amplitude
What are the causes of transthoracic impedenace?
electrode size; distance between electrodes; size of chest; hairy chest; poor electrode contact; air trapping
What are the features of monomorphic VT?
broad compex rhythm; rapid rate; constant QRS morphology
What are the clinical signs of a tension penumo?
decreased breath sounds; hyper-resonant percussion note; tracheal deviation
When should cardiac tamponade be considered as a diagnosis?
penetrating chest trauma or after cardiac surgery
what is the immediate post cardiac arrest treatment?
use ABCDE approach; aim for SpO2 of 94-98; normal PaCO2; ECG; treat cause
How long is seconds in one big box on ECG?
0.2s
How long is a small box on ECG?
0.04s
How is HR calculated from ECG?
300/large squares of R-R
What is the normal length of the PR interval?
0.12-0.2s
What is the normal QRS complex interval?
<120ms
How long should QT interval be?
<0.44s - F; <0.4s in M
What suggests a risk of asystole with bradycardia?
recent asystole; Mobitz II AV block; complete heart block with broad QRS; ventricular pause >3s
What is bradycardia often associated with?
shock; syncope; myocardial ischaemia; heart failure
what is the first line treatment for bradycardia
atropine
What is classic picture seen on ECG with atrial flutter?
saw tooth
What is the difference between atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation?
atrial flutter the atria beat regularly and more often than the ventricles whereas AF is irregular and produced in the pulmonary veins not atria