CVS Flashcards
What are the five licensed oral anticoagulants?
Warfarin
NOACs:
Apixaban
Rivaroxaban
Dabigatran
Edoxaban
What are the common symptoms of VTE
Pain and swelling in one (sometimes both) legs,
tenderness,
changes to skin colour and temperature,
Vein distension
Risk factors of VTE
Age (>65)
Temporary immobilisation
Major surgery or trauma
Pregnancy
Specific medical conditions eg. cancer
Oestrogen use
Overweight/ obese
Long periods of inactivity
Family history
Three factors that influence formation of thrombi
Abnormalities of;
- Blood flow (atrial fibrillation)
- Surfaces in contact with blood (mechanical heart valve)
- Clotting components (factor V, protein C and protein S deficiency)
What is used for prophylaxis of VTE?
For high risk patients (eg. Orthopaedic surgery)
LMWH
Fondaparinux
Unfractioned heparin (for renal impairment)
NOACS
What is the duration of prophylaxis tx of VTE
(Different types of surgery)
- General surgery: 7 days (or until sufficient mobility
- Major cancer surgery in abdomen or pelvis: 28 days
- Spinal surgery: 30 days
- Knee/hip surgery: extended duration
Treatment of VTE in pregnancy
LWMH preferred
- lower risk of osteoporosis and heparin induced thrombocytopenia
- stop at labour-onset or seek specialist advice if to continue
What are the two types of heparin?
- Unfractionated heparin (activates antithrombin)
- Low molecular weight heparin (inhibits factor Xa)
What VTE treatment is preferred in patients with high risk of bleeding and renal impairment (clearance: 15-50ml/min)? Why?
Unfractionated heparin
- Shorter duration of action
- Monitor APTT (activated partial thromboplastin time ie. How the body reacts to heparin)
Examples of LMWH
Tinzaparin
Enoxaparin
Dalteparin
What is the preferred treatment of VTE in pts with osteoporosis?
LMWH
- Longer duration of action
- Lower risk of osteoporosis and heparin induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)
Side effects of heparin
- haemorrhage (STOP)
- HypERkalaemia (higher risk in CKD and diabetes)
- Osteoporosis
- Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (drop in platelet levels significantly - doesn’t occur till 5-10 day mark)
What is used to reverse the effect of heparin in emergency?
Protamine sulphate
- partially reverses effect
- binds to heparin to form stable iron pair which doesn’t have anticoagulating activity
What factors increase risk of bleeding?
‘CLITS’
- Thrombocytopenia (low platelet)
- Liver failure
- Concurrent anticoagulants
- Inherited disorders (haemophilia, Von Willebrand disease (VWD))
- Systolic hypertension
What VTE prophylaxis treatment is preferred in pts undergoing abdominal, bariatric, thoracic or cardiac surgery?
Fondaparinux
What VTE prophylaxis is preferred in pts with lower limb immobilisation or fragility fractures of the pelvis, hip or proximal femur
Fondaparinux
What is the choice of VTE prophylaxis in pts undergoing elective hip replacement
LMWH - 10 days
Then, low dose aspirin - 28 days
Or
LMWH - 28 days
With, anti-embolism stockings until discharge
Or
Rivaroxaban ( if CI, another NOAC)
What is the choice of VTE prophylaxis in pts undergoing elective knee replacement
Low dose aspirin / LMWH - 14 days
With, anti-embolism stocking until discharge
Or
Rivaroxaban (if CI, other NOAC)
Choice of VTE prophylaxis for acutely ill patients
7 aLiFe
LMWH - first line
Or
Fondaparinux
for minimum 7 days
VTE prophylaxis for acute stroke
Mechanical prophylaxis with intermittent pneumatic compression
Within 3 days of acute stroke and continued for at least 30 days
How long should VTE prophylaxis be continued in pregnant women?
LMWH continued until no longer at risk or discharge
VTE prophylaxis in women who gave birth or had a miscarriage during the past 6 weeks
LMWH
4-8 hours after event
Continue for a minimum of 7 days
Choice of treatment for pts with confirmed proximal DVT or PE
Apixaban or Rivaroxaban
If CI,
LMWH - >5 days
Then, dabigatran or edoxaban
OR
LMWH + warfarin - >5 days or until INR atleast 2.0 for 2 consecutive readings
Then, warfarin on it’s own
How long should pts with confirmed VTE take anticoagulant
Provoked VTE - 3 months
Unprovoked VTE - >3 months (>6 months in active cancer)
(3-6 months with active cancer)
What is the anticoagulant choice for pts who are not well tolerated in current long term treatment
Apixaban
What can be used with pts who decline continued anticoagulant tx
Aspirin (unlicensed)
Review annually
What should be checked in pregnant women before starting anticoagulants
FUL C
Baseline blood tests;
- Full blood count
- Coagulation screen
- Urea and electrolytes
- Liver function tests
What is the Rivaroxaban dose for VTE prophylaxis following knee replacement surgery?
10mg OD - 14 days
*to be started 6-10 hours after surgery *
What is the Rivaroxaban dose for VTE prophylaxis following hip replacement surgery?
10mg OD - 5 weeks
to be started 6-12 hours after surgery
What is the Apixaban dose for VTE prophylaxis following knee replacement surgery?
When to start?
2.5mg BD for 10-14 days
to be started 12-24 hours after surgery
What is the Apixaban dose for VTE prophylaxis following hip replacement surgery?
2.5mg BD for 32-38 days
to be started 12-24 hours after surgery
How long does warfarin take to work?
48-72 hours
What is the duration of tx with warfarin in isolated calf-vein VTE?
6 weeks
What are the vitamin k antagonists
’WAP’
-Warfarin
- Phenindione
- acenocoumarol
What is used as first line in cerebral artery thrombosis or peripheral artery occlusion?
Aspirin
More appropriate for transient ischaemic attacks
What is the acceptable range the INR can deviate from target?
0.5 units
How often should INR be monitored?
- alternate days initially,
- then every 1-2 weeks until stable,
- then every 3 months
Target INR
2.5 - Most incidences
3.5 - Recurrent VTE in pts receiving anticoagulant and with an INR > 2
Colour of warfarin tablets
’BrB Pink’
White - 0.5mg
Brown - 1mg
Blue - 3mg
Pink - 5mg
Can warfarin be used in pregnancy?
No - teratogenic
Avoid especially in 1st and 3rd trimesters
Counselling points for warfarin
- Take same time everyday
- Notify anticoagulation clinic of changes to medication, lifestyle or diet
- Stop 5 days before elective surgery
MHRA warnings with warfarin
- Report calciphylaxis ; painful skin rash
- Interaction with vitamin k antagonists and antivirals; changed in INR and efficacy of warfarin
- Interaction with OTC oral miconazole gel (Daktarin); increases INR and risk of bleeding
What do you monitor with warfarin?
- INR; alternate days initially, then every 1-2 weeks until stable, then every 3 months
- Liver function; avoid in severe
- Renal function; monitor INR more frequently in sever
- Full blood count
- Blood pressure
- Thyroid function; warfarin metabolism can be affected
What to do if INR is 5.0 - 8.0 with no bleed
- Withhold 1-2 doses
- Reduce maintenance dose
- Measure INR after 2-3 days
What to do when pt is experiencing major bleeding while on warfarin?
- STOP warfarin
- Give IV phytomenadione (vitamin K)
- Dried prothrombin complex or fresh frozen plasma
What to do if INR is >8.0 with no bleed
- Stop warfarin
- Give oral phytomenadione (vitamin k)
- Repeat dose if INR still too high after 24 hours
Restart warfarin when INR <5.0
What to do if INR is >5.0 with minor bleed
- STOP warfarin
- IV phytomenadione
Restart warfarin when INR < 5.0
What to do when pt is on warfarin and about to undergo elective surgery
- Stop 5 days before
- Oral Vitamin K for one day if INR >1.5
- Restart next day
What to do when pt is on warfarin and about to undergo emergency surgery
- IV phytomenadione; if surgery can be delayed by 6-12 hours
- Add dried prothrombin
What to do when pt is on warfarin and about to undergo high risk of VTE
- Temporarily switch to LMWH (using treatment dose) till 24 hours before surgery
If high risk of bleeding, LMWH should not be restarted till atleast 48 hours after surgery
NOACs mechanism of action
- Dabigatran - direct thrombin inhibitor
- Apixaban, Edoxaban & Rivaroxaban - direct factor Xa inhibitor
Patient counselling for NOACs
- Give patient alert card
- Alternative to warfarin
- Lower bleeding risk
- No need for regular monitoring
- Fewer food and drug interactions
Which NOAC has highest bleeding risk?
Dabigatran
What drugs increase bleeding risk with NOACs?
’NAACS’
- NSAIDS
- Other anticoagulants
- Antiplatelets
- strong CYP3A4 inhibitors
- SSRI or SNRI
Dose adjustments to Apixaban in renal impairment
Reduce dose - ABC (age, body weight, creatinine)
CrCl (15-29ml/min) or Cr > 133 micromol/L
OR
Age >80 years OR Weight < 61kg
Avoid if CrCl < 15ml/min
Dose adjustments to Rivaroxaban in renal impairment
- Take with or after food for improved absorption
- Reduce dose if CrCl 15-49ml/min
- Avoid if CrCl <15ml/min
Dose adjustments to Dabigatran in renal impairment
Reduce dose if
- CrCl 30-50ml/min
- Age > 80
- High bleeding risk
- If also on verapamil or amiodarone
Avoid is CrCl < 30ml/min
How long do transient ischaemic attack last for?
< 24 hours
Warning signs of stroke
’FAST’
-
Face drooping
-Arm weakness
-Speech difficulty
-Time to call 999
How to treat haemorrhagic stroke
- Avoid ’ASA’ aspirin, statin and anticoagulants (increases risk of bleeding)
- Treat hypertension
How is ischaemic stroke / TIA treated long term?
If first line CI?
If AF?
If hypertension
- Clopidogrel 75mg OD
If CI;
- MR dipyridamole & Aspirin 75mg
If AF related, consider anticoagulant
If hypertension, treat with beta blocker
Counselling points for MR dipyridamole
- Take 30-60 mins before food
- Capsules have a 6 week expiry once opened
- Keep in original container
When is antiplatelet used in stroke?
Only as secondary prevention when stroke has already occurred
Consider adding PPI for pts at high risk of GI bleed (impaired renal or hepatic function)
When is aspirin CI and why?
In children under 16
Reye’s syndrome
Risk factors of arrhythmias
- Smoking
- Excessive alcohol/ caffeine consumption
- Obesity
- Stress
Non cardiac risk factors of arrhythmias
- Overactive or underactive thyroid, diabetes, electrolyte imbalance K, Mg, Na
- Stimulants eg. Cocaine or amphetamine
What are the 4 different classes of anti-arrhythmic drugs
- Membrane stabilising (Na blockers)
- Beta blockers
- K+ channel blockers
- Calcium channel blockers (rate limiting)
- Other (Adenosine, digoxin)
How is stroke risk assessed?
CHA2DS2-VASc
C - Chronic HF / left ventricular dysfunction
H - Hypertension
A2 - Age 75+
D - Diabetes
S2 - Stroke / VT history
V - Vascular disease
A - Age 65-74
Sc - Sex - female
What are the Na channel blocker drugs
Disopyramide
Lidocaine
Propafenone
Flecainide
What are the calcium channel blockers
Diltiazem
Verapamil
What are the potassium channel blockers
Amiodarone
Sotalol
What are examples of beta blockers
Propranolol
Bisoprolol
used to slow the heart rate
What is used in rhythm control for AF
- Electrical cardio version
- Amiodarone
- Flecainide
What is used for acute new-onset of AF
life threatening/non life threatening
Life threatening - electrical cardioversion
Non-life threatening;
- <48 hours : Rate/Rhythm control
- > 48 hours : Rate control (verampil/beta blockers)
What is used is a pt with new onset AF requires urgent rate control?
IV beta-blockers
What is the preferred tx for AF if LVEF > 40%
Verapamil
What rate limiting drugs should be avoided in pts with AF and suspected concomitant acute decompensated heart failure
Calcium channel blockers
Seek specialist advice
What is used first line for maintenance tx of AF
Rate control
- Beta blocker (not sotalol)
- Rate limiting CCB (diltiazem or verapamil)
- Digoxin (preferred in immobile pt)
What rhythm control is preferred in AF present for more than 48 hours
What safety measures?
Electrical cardio version
Delay for atleast 3 weeks until fully anti-coagulated
If not possible, heparin commenced immediately before and oral anticoag after cardioversion for atleast 4 weeks
Amiodarone started 4 weeks before and continued for up to 12 months after cardioversion
What is used second line for maintenance tx of AF
Standardised beta blockers
bisoprolol
metoprolol
carvedilol
consider combination therapy
- Avoid verapamil and beta-blockers - severe hypertension
- Beta-blockers + digoxin - preferred if ventricular function diminished
For rare infrequent episodes
Flecainide or propafenone
pill in pocket
What beta blockers are preferred in pts with diabetes?
Cardioselective beta-blockers
‘Be A MAN
Bisoprolol
Atenolol
Metoprolol
Acebutolol
Nebivilol
When should beta blockers be avoided
- 2nd/3rd degree heart block
- worsening unstable heart failure
- pt with frequent hypoglycaemia
- Asthma, bronchospasms
When is CCB (diltiazem and verapamil) contra indicated
- Heart failure
- Pregnant women
Diltiazem avoided throughout pregnancy
Verapamil avoid in 1st trimester
What is the target therapeutic level for digoxin?
When should it be measured?
0.7-2 mcg/L
To be measured 6 hours after a dose
Risk factors for digoxin toxicity
- HypERCalcaemia
- HypOkalaemia
- HypOMagnesia
- Low oxygen
- Recent MI
- Severe respiratory disease
- Thyroid disease
Signs of digoxin toxicity
’Slow/Sick’
Slow: bradycardia, heart block
Sick: vomiting, nausea, diarrhoea and stomach pain
Blurred or yellow vision
Confusion, delirium and rash
Digoxin interactions
’CRASED’
CAlcuin channel blockers (verapamil)
Rifampicin
Amiodarone
St John’s Wart
Erythromycin
Diuretics
What CCBs need to be prescribed by brand?
MR Diltiazem
MR Nifedipine
Side effect of verapamil
Constipation
Improved by increased fibre and fluid intake
What to avoid with rate limiting CCB?
Grape fruit juice
increased CCB concentration
What is the loading dose for amiodarone?
200mg TDS for 7 days
200mg BD for 7 days
200mg OD as maintenance
Main interactions with amiodarone
-
Digoxin ; digoxin toxicity
-warfarin, phenytoin - increase conc - Antivirals - Severe bradycardia and heart block
- Beta blockers / Rate limiting CCBs
- Statin
- Grape fruit juice - toxicity
MHRA warning for amiodarone
Interaction with Sofosbuvir
Risk of bradycardia and heart block
Monitoring requirements for amiodarone
- Annual eye test
- Chest x-Ray before treatment
- Liver function every 6 months
- Thyroid glands before tx and every 6 months
- Blood pressure and ECG
- Serum potassium (hypokalemia)
Wha is the half life of amiodarone
About 50 days
Major side effect of amiodarone?
Interaction?
QT prolongation
Do not give with other QT prolongation drugs
What is used to assess bleeding risk?
HAS-BLED
Hypertension - 1
Abnormal liver function - 1
Abnormal renal function - 1
Alcohol (>8u/week) - 1
Stroke - 1
Bleeding - 1
Labile INRs (<60%) - 1
Elderly (>65)
Drugs (antiplatelets or NSAIDs)
Treatment for bleeding disorders
Tranexamic acid
Different stages of hypertension
Stage 1:
140/90 - 160/100mmHg
Daytime average: 135/85
Stage 2:
>160/100mmHg
Daytime average: >150/95
Severe:
>180/120