Coronary Artery Disease Flashcards
Understand the burden of coronary artery disease Describe the underlying pathology in coronary artery disease Describe clinical symptoms and signs that are associated with coronary artery disease Describe the mechanism of action of drugs used to treat or prevent coronary artery disease
What is the difference between coronary artery disease and coronary heart disease?
No difference, interchangeable terms
What is the basic mechanism of coronary artery disease?
Waxy plaque substance forms on the inside of an artery and builds up overtime to eventually narrow the artery restricting blood flow and hence oxygen
What are the 4 types of cardiovascular disease?
Coronary heart disease
Strokes and TIA’s (transient ischemic attacks)
Peripheral arterial disease
Aortic disease
What is the function of coronary circulation?
To supply oxygen rich and nutrient rich blood to the heart, ensuring the myocardium has adequate oxygen for all levels of cardiac activity
What are the 2 main consequences of coronary artery disease?
Angina
Myocardial Infarction
What types of lesions can coronary artery disease produce?
Stenotic and non-stenotic
What are the difference between stenotic and non-stenotic lesions?
Stenotic - fewer of them, fibrotic, thick cap produce less compensatory enlargement
Non-stenotic - many of them, lipid rich, thin cap and produce compensatory enlargement
What is the first stage of coronary artery disease from a normal artery?
Endothelial dysfunction -> infiltration & oxidisation of LDL deposits, monocyte infiltrates to engulf toxic LDL
How does a fatty streak form?
Monocytes swell, foam cells form and platelets stimulate SM growth producing a fatty streak (atheroma)
How does a vessel become partially occluded?
plaque grows over decades leading to narrowing of the coronary artery
How does a vessel become totally occluded?
Blood clot forms in the lumen and the lumen eventually collapses
What are the 7 stages to an atheroma formation?
Monocyte adhesion LDL oxidation Macrophage infiltration Foam cell formation Smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration Fibrous cap formation Plaque rupture and thrombus formation
What are the signs and symptoms of coronary artery disease?
Chest pain
Indigestion
Nausea & Vomiting
Fatigue & Sleep Problems
What are grade 1 symptoms of coronary artery disease?
chest pain only in response to sudden physical or emotional strain but not during everyday activities - walking/climbing stairs
What are grade 2 symptoms of coronary artery disease?
Chest pain during more intense activities like walking quickly, uphill, climbing stairs after eating, cold, emotionally stressed
What are grade 3 symptoms of coronary artery disease?
Chest pain even during low-intensity physical exertion like walking or getting dressed