CVS Flashcards
What is an ECG?
representation of the electrical events of the cardiac cycle
What 6 things can you identify with an ECG?
- arrhythmias
- myocardial ischaemia and infarction
- pericarditis
- chamber hypertrophy
- electrolyte disturbances
- drug toxicity (digoxin/ drugs which prolong QT interval)
What is the SA node?
- dominant pacemaker
- intrinsic rate 60-100bpm
- fastest depolarising tissue
What is the normal heart rate?
60-100bpm
What is the AV node?
- back up pacemaker
- intrinsic rate 40-60 bpm
What are ventricular cells?
- back up pacemaker
- intrinsic rate 20-45bpm
What is the impulse conduction pathway?
sinoatrial node - atrioventricular node - bundle of His - bundle branches - purkinje fibres
AV node delay at beginning of a normal ECG trace - how long is it?
0.12 - 0.2 s
How long is atrial depolarisation (ECG) ?
0.08 - 0.1 s
How long is ventricular depolarisation (ECG)?
0.06 - 0.1 s
P wave
- atrial depolarisation
- seen in every lead except aVR
PR interval
- time taken for atria to depolarise and electrical activation to get through AV node
QRS complex
- ventricular depolarisation
- still called QRS even if Q and/or S missing depending on what lead
ST segment
interval between depolarisation and repolarisation
T wave
ventricular repolarisation
Tachycardia
increased heart rate
Bradycardia
decreased heart rate
Dextrocardia
heart on right side of chest instead of left
Acute anterolateral myocardial infarction
ST segments are raised in anterior (V3-V4) and lateral (V5-V6) leads
Acute inferior MI
ST segments raised in inferior (II, III, aVF) leads
Can atrial repolarisation be seen on an ECG?
No- not usually seen, occurs at same time as QRS complex so hidden
IMPORTANT - ECG paper, value of one small box horizontally?
0.04s / 40ms
IMPORTANT - ECG paper, value of one large box horizontally?
0.20s
IMPORTANT - ECG paper, value of one large box vertically?
0.5mV
Left ventricle definition?
- Palpated in 5th intercostal space and mid clavicular line
- Responsible for apex beat
Stroke volume definition?
The volume of blood ejected from each ventricle during systole
Cardiac output definition?
The volume of blood each ventricle pumps as a function of time eg litres per min
IMPORTANT - cardiac output equation
CO (L/min) = stroke volume (L) x heart rate (bpm)
Total peripheral resistance definition?
The total resistance to flow in systemic blood vessels from beginning of aorta to vena cava (arterioles provide most resistance)
Preload definition?
The end diastolic volume that stretches the right or left ventricle of the heart to its greatest dimensions under variable physiologic demand
End diastolic volume definition?
How much blood is in the ventricles before it pumps
When veins dilate does this result in an increase or decrease in preload?
Decrease in preload - venous return has decreased
Afterload definition
The pressure the left ventricle must overcome to eject blood during contraction (dilate arteries = decrease afterload)
Contractility definition
force of contraction and change in fibre length - how hard the heart pumps (when muscle contracts myofibrils stay same length but sarcomere shortens - force of heart contraction that is independent of sarcomere length
Elasticity definition
myocardial ability to recover normal shape after systolic stress
Diastolic dispensibility definition
the pressure required to fill the ventricle to the same diastolic volume
Compliance definition
how easily the heart chamber expands when filled with blood volume
Starlings law ?
Force of contraction is proportional to the end diastolic length of cardiac muscle fibre - the more ventricle fills harder it contracts
At rest is the cardiac muscle at optimal length?
No, force of contraction decreased, inefficient
What happens when there is increased venous return to the heart?
increase venous return - increase end diastolic volume - increase preload - increase sarcomere stretch - increase force of contraction - increase stroke volume
What happens to venous return when standing?
Decreases venous return due to gravity - cardiac output decreases - drop in blood pressure - stimulating baroreceptors to increase blood pressure
Heart sound S1 ?
mitral and tricuspid valve closure
Heart sound S2?
aortic and pulmonary valve closure
Heart sound S3?
- in early diastole
- during rapid ventricular filling
- normal in children, pregnant women
- associated with mitral regurgitation and heart failure
Heart sound S4?
- ‘gallop’
- in late diastole
- produced by blood being forced into a stiff, hypertrophic ventricle
- associated with left ventricular hypertrophy
Which coronary arteries commonly develop atheroscleroses?
- right coronary artery
- left anterior descending
- circumflex
7 risk factors for atherosclerosis?
- age
- family history
- high serum cholesterol
- tobacco (endothelium erosion)
- obesity (more pericardial fat, thus increase inflammation)
- diabetes (hyperglycaemia damages endothelium)
- hypertension
Distribution of atherosclerotic plaques?
- Peripheral and coronary arteries
- Focal distribution along artery length
An atherosclerotic plaque is a complex lesion of what 4 things?
- lipid
- necrotic core
- connective tissue
- fibrous ‘cap’
2 serious consequences of an atherosclerotic plaque?
- occlude vessel lumen - restriction of blood flow - angina
- rupture - thrombus formation - death
atherosclerosis formation - stage 1
initiated by injury to endothelial cells, leads to endothelial dysfunction
Atherosclerosis formation - stage 2
chemoattractants released from endothelium to attract leucocytes which accumulate and migrate into vessel wall
What are chemoattractants?
Chemicals which attract leucocytes. They are released from the site of injury and a conc gradient is produced
3 inflammatory cytokines found in plaques?
- IL-1 (key one)
- IL-6
- IFN-gamma
Atherosclerosis - fatty streaks
- earliest lesion of atherosclerosis
- appear at very early age (less than 10)
- aggregations of lipid laden macrophages and T lymphocytes within intimal layer of vessel wall
Atherosclerosis - intermediate lesions
layers of lipid laden macrophages (foam cells) vascular smooth muscle cells T lymphocytes (there is adhesion and aggregation of platelets to vessel wall)
Atherosclerosis - fibrous plaques/ advanced lesions
- impede blood flow
- prone to rupture
- covered by dense fibrous cap of extracellular matrix proteins - collagen (strength) - elastin (flexibility) laid down by smooth muscle cells that overly lipid core and necrotic debris
- may be calcified
Atherosclerosis - fibrous plaques/ advanced lesions contain?
- smooth muscle cells
- macrophages and foam cells
- T lymphocyte
- Red cells
- filled with fibrin
What is a foam cell?
lipid laden macrophage
Plaque rupture
- plaque constantly growing and receding
- fibrous cap needs to be resorbed and redeposited in order to be maintained
- if balance shifts eg in favour of inflammatory conditions (increase enzyme activity) cap weakens, plaque ruptures
- basement membrane, collagen, necrotic tissue exposure, haemorrhage of vessel within plaque
- thrombus formation, vessel occlusion
Angina - definition
- Chest pain or discomfort as a result of reversible myocardial ischaemia
- Usually implies narrowing one/more coronary arteries
- Usually exacerbated by exertion and relieved by rest
2 types of angina
- Stable angina - induced by effort, relieved by rest
- Unstable (crescendo) angina - recent (less 24hrs) onset OR deterioration stable angina (symptoms frequently occurring at rest) OR angina increasing frequency or severity, minimal exertion, at rest - form of acute coronary syndrome
3rd rare type of angina?
Prinzmetal’s angina - caused by coronary artery spasm
Angina epidemiology
Myocardial ischaemia resulting in angina occurs when mismatch between blood supply and metabolic demand - due to:
- atheroma/ stenosis coronary arteries
- valvular disease
- aortic stenosis
- arrhythmia
- anaemia
Most common cause of angina?
atheroma/ stenosis of coronary arteries thereby impairing blood flow
What causes the pain in angina?
Ischaemic metabolites eg adenosine stimulate nerve endings and produce pain
Is angina more common in men or women?
Men
Angina 9 risk factors?
- smoking
- sedentary lifestyle
- obesity
- hypertension
- diabetes mellitus
- family history
- genetics
- age
- hypercholesterolaemia
Pathophysiology of angina
atherosclerosis developing narrowing of coronary arteries that results in ischaemia and thus pain
pathophysiology of angina - initiation
- endothelial dysfunction/ injury at sites of sheer/ damage –> lipid accumulation at sites impaired endothelial barrier
- local cellular proliferation, incorporation oxidised lipoproteins
- mural thrombi on surface - subsequent healing, repeat of cycle
pathophysiology of angina - adaptation
- as plaque progresses to 50% vascular lumen size, vessel no longer compensate by remodelling, becomes narrowed
- drives variable cell turnover within plaque, new matrix surfaces, degradation matrix
- may progress to unstable plaque
pathophysiology of angina - clinical stage
- plaque continues encroach upon lumen, risk of haemorrhage/ exposure tissue to HLA-DR antigens, may stimulate T cell accumulation
- rives inflamm reaction to part of plaque
- complications:ulceration, fissuring, calcification, aneurysm change
pathophysiology angina - pathophysiological stages - fatty streak
- foam cells
- smooth muscle cells filled with fat
pathophysiology of angina - pathophysiological stages - intimal cell mass
collections of muscle cells and connective tissue without lipids - ‘cushions’
pathophysiology of angina - pathophysiological stages - the atheromatous plaque
- distorted endothelial surface with lymphocytes, macrophages, smooth muscle cells, variably complete endothelial surface
- local necrotic and fatty matter, scattered foam cells
- evidence local haemorrhage: iron deposition, calcification
- complicated plaques: calcification, mural thrombus- vulnerable to rupture
what is a complicated plaque?
show calcification and mural thrombus (making them vulnerable to rupture)
Angina - complications of plaque rupture
- acute occlusion due to thrombus
- chronic narrowing vessel lumen with healing of the local thrombus
- aneurysm change
- embolism of thrombus/ plaque lipid content
Angina - clinical presentation
- central chest tightness/heaviness
- provoked by exertion, especially after meal, cold windy weather, anger, excitement
- relieved by rest/ GTN spray
- pain may radiate to one/both arms, neck, jaw, teeth
- dyspnoea (difficult breathing), nausea, sweaty, faintness
Angina scoring
- Central, tight pain, radiating to arms, jaw, neck
- Precipitated by exertion
- Relieved by rest, GTN spray
3/3 typical angina
2/3 atypical angina
1/3 non-anginal pain
Angina - differential diagnosis
- pericarditis/myocarditis
- pulmonary embolism
- chest infection
- dissection of aorta
- GORD
Angina - diagnosis - 5 things
- 12 lead ECG
- treadmill test/ exercise ECG
- CT scan calcium scoring
- SPECT/myoview
- cardiac catheterisation
angina diagnosis - 12 lea ECG
- often normal
- may show ST depression
- flat or inverted T waves
- look for signs of past MI
angina diagnosis - treadmill test/exercise ECG
- ECG and run on treadmill uphill - trying to induce ischaemia
- monitor how long able to exercise for
- ST segment depression - sign of late stage ischaemia
- unsuitable for many patients cant walk, very unfit, exercise induced bundle branch block in young females
angina diagnosis - CT scan Calcium scoring
CT heart, if atherosclerosis calcium will light up white - significant calcium would indicate angina
angina diagnosis - SPECT/myoview
- radio labelled tracer injected into patient
- taken up by coronary arteries (good blood supply) so will show up here
- little blood supply - areas will not light up
- no light up after exercise indicative of myocardial ischaemia
angina - treatment
- modify risk factors (smoking, exercise, weight loss)
- treat underlying conditions
- pharmacological
- revascularisation
What pharmacological interventions can be used to treat angina?
- Aspirin
- Statins
- Beta blockers
- Glyceryl Trinitrate spray
- Calcium ion channel antagonists
Angina - aspirin
- antiplatelet - inhibits platelet aggregation in coronary arteries - avoiding platelet thrombus
- to reduce events
- eg salicylate
- COX inhibitor - reduced prostaglandin synthesis inc thromboxane A2
- side effects - gastric ulceration
Angina - statins
- HMG- CoA reductase inhibitors - reduces cholesterol produced by liver
- reduces events and LDL-cholesterol
- anti-atherosclerotic
Angina - betablockers
1st line antianginal - reduces force of contraction of heart - BISOPROLOL, ATENOLOL - act on B1 receptors in heart as part of adrenergic sympathetic pathway B1 - Gs - cAMP to ATP - contraction
angina - what 3 things do betablockers reduce?
- heart rate (negatively chronotropic)
- left ventricle contractility (negatively inotropic)
- cardiac output
angina - betablockers - side effects
- tiredness
- nightmares
- bradycardia
- erectile dysfunction
- cold hands and feet
DO NOT GIVE in asthma, heart failure/heart block, hypotension, bradyarrhythmias
angina - glyceryl trinitrate spray
1st line antianginal
- nitrate that is a venodilator
- dilates systemic veins - reducing venous return to right side of heart
- reduces preload
- thus reduces work of heart and O2 demand
- also dilates coronary arteries
side effect: profuse headache immediately after use
angina - calcium ion channel antagonists/ blockers
- primary arterodilators
- dilates systemic arteries (BP drop)
- reduces afterload on heart
- thus less energy required to produce same cardiac output
- thus less work on heart and O2 demand
- VERAPAMIL
angina - revascularisation - 2 types
-Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI)
-Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)
To restore patient coronary artery, increase flow reserve, done mostly when medication fails or when high risk disease identified
angina - PCI
- dilating coronary atheromatous obstructions by inflating balloon within it
- insert balloon and stent, inflate balloon and remove it, stent persists, keeps artery patent
- expanding plaque = make artery bigger
angina - PCI pros and cons
pros - less invasive, convenient, short recovery, repeatable
cons - risk of stent thrombosis, not good for complex disease
angina - CABG
- left internal mammary artery (LIMA) used to bypass proximal stenosis in LAD artery
- pros: good prognosis, deals with complex disease
- cons: invasive, risk of stroke or bleeding, one time treatment, long recovery period
‘Acute coronary syndrome’ umbrella term for what?
- ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)
- Unstable (crescendo) angina (UA)
- non ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI)
What is an ST elevation myocardial infarction?
- complete occlusion of major coronary artery prev affected by atherosclerosis
- full thickness damage of heart muscle
- usually diagnose on ECG @ presentation
- pathological Q wave some time after MI (so aka Q wave infarction)
What is unstable (crescendo) angina (UA) ?
- angina recent onset (less 24hrs) or
- cardiac chest pain w/ crescendo pattern
- deterioration in prev stable angina (symptoms freq. occurring at rest)
- angina increasing frequency or severity, occurs minimal exertion, rest - form of acute coronary syndrome
What is a non ST elevation myocardial infarction?
- complete occlusion minor coronary artery OR partial occlusion of major coronary artery prev affected by atherosclerosis
- retrospective diagnosis, made after troponin results and sometimes other investigations
- partial thickness damage of heart muscle
- non Q wave infarction
- ST depression and/or T wave inversion
What is the difference between NSTEMI and UA?
NSTEMI = an occluding thrombus leads to myocardial necrosis and rise in serum troponin or creatinine kinase-MB (CK-MB)
The 5 types of MI - type 1
spontaneous MI with ischaemia due to a primary coronary event eg plaque erosion/rupture, fissuring, dissection
5 types of MI - type 2
MI secondary to ischaemia due to increased O2 demand or decreased supply eg coronary spasm, coronary embolism, anaemia, arrhythmias , hypertension, hypotension
5 types of MI - types 3,4,5
MI due to sudden cardiac death related to PCI, CABG
How many people per annum have STEMI in UK?
5/1000 per annum
Acute coronary syndrome risk factors
Age Gender - male Family history (IHD/ MI in first degree relative below 55) Smoking Hypertension Diabetes mellitus Hyperlipidaemia Obesity and sedentary lifestyle
Acute coronary syndrome pathophysiology
- rupture/erosion fibrous cap of coronary artery plaque
- causes platelet aggregation/adhesion, localised thrombus, vasoconstriction(platelet release serotonin, thromboxane A2), distal thrombus embolisation
- myocardial ischaemia due to reduction coronary blood flow
Acute coronary syndrome- what 2 things mean increased risk plaque rupture?
- rich lipid pool within plaque
- thin fibrous cap
Acute coronary syndrome - stages of plaque development
fatty streak - fibrotic plaque - atherosclerotic plaque - plaque rupture/fissure and thrombosis - MI/ischaemic stroke or critical limb ischaemia or sudden CVS death
Unstable angina - what is the plaque like?
- necrotic centre
- ulcerated cap
- thrombus results in PARTIAL occlusion
Myocardial infarction - what is the plaque like?
- necrotic centre
- thrombus results in TOTAL occlusion
Acute coronary syndrome - clinical presentation - unstable angina presentation?
- chest pain, new onset, at rest, crescendo pattern
- breathlessness
- pleuritic pain (sharp pain inhale and exhale)
- indigestion
Clinical presentation acute coronary syndrome?
Acute central chest pain more than 20mins
- sweating
- nausea and vomiting
- dyspnoea
- fatigue
- shortness of breath
- palpitations
Clinical presentation acute coronary syndrome?
- without chest pain (silent infarct) (elderly, diabetics)
- distress, anxiety
- pallor
- increased pulse, reduced BP
- reduced 4th heart sound
- may be heart failure sings (increase jugular venous pressure)
- tachycardia/ bradycardia
- peripheral oedema
Acute coronary syndrome - differential diagnosis?
- angina
- pericarditis
- myocarditis
- aortic dissection
- pulmonary embolism
- oesophageal reflux/spasm
Acute coronary syndrome diagnosis tools?
- 12 lead ECG
- biochemical markers
- chest X-ray
Acute coronary syndrome - 12 lead ECG
- can be normal
- ST depression/ T wave inversion (hours/days after NSTEMI) highly suggestive of acute coronary syndrome, esp if associated with anginal chest pain
- hyperacute (tall) T waves
Acute coronary syndrome - an STEMI on an ECG?
- persistant ST elevation
- hyperacute (tall) T waves
- new left BBB pattern
- pathological Q waves few days after MI
acute coronary syndrome - 4 biochemical markers?
- troponin T
- troponin I
- creatinine kinase-MB (CK-MB)
- myoglobin
acute coronary syndrome - troponin T and I
- T and I most sensitive and specific markers of myocardial necrosis
- serum levels increase 3-12hrs onset of chest pain, peak 24-48hrs
- fall back to normal over 5-14days
- prognostic indicator determine mortality risk define which patients benefit from aggressive medical therapy and early coronary revascularisation
acute coronary syndrome - CK-MB
- marker for myocyte death
- low accuracy,can be present in normal state, patients significant skeletal muscle damage
- tests for reinfarction: levels drop back to normal after 36-72hrs
acute coronary syndrome - myoglobin
- elevated v early in MI
- poor specificity: myoglobin present in skeletal muscle
acute coronary syndrome - chest X ray
-look for cardiomegaly, pulmonary oedema, widened mediastinum (aortic rupture)
acute coronary syndrome - types of treatment
- pain relief
- anti-emetic
- oxygen
- pharmacological (antiplatelets, BBs, statins, ACEi)
- coronary revascularisation
- modify risk factors
acute coronary syndrome - pain relief?
- GTN spray
- IV opioid
acute coronary syndrome - oxygen
- aim for 94-98% saturation
- 88-92% COPD
acute coronary syndrome - antiplatelet therapy - how thrombotic clot forms
- atheromatous plaque rupture = platelets exposed ADP/thromboxane A2/adrenaline/thrombin/collagen tissue factor
- causes platelet activation/aggregation via IIb/IIIa glycoproteins binding to fibrinogen
- thrombin enzymatically converts fibrinogen to fibrin(insoluble) forms fibrin mesh over platelet plug, formation thrombotic clot
Examples of 3 antiplatelet drugs
- aspirin
- P2Y12 inhibitors (oral)
- glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonists (IV)
How does aspirin work?
COX-1 inhibitor - blocks formation of thromboxane A2 from thus prevents platelet aggregation
acute coronary syndrome - P2Y12 inhibitors (oral)
-inhibit ADP dependant activation IIb/IIIa glycoproteins, preventing amplification response of platelet aggregation
-use if allergic to aspirin
-dual anti-platelet therapy w/ aspirin
-clopidogrel , prasugrel , ticagrelor
side effects:neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, increased risk bleeding
-AVOID if CABG planned
acute coronary syndrome - glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonists (IV)
- only IV available
- used w/ aspirin AND oral P2Y12 inhibitors patients with ACS undergoing PCI
- increases risk major bleeding
- abciximab , tirofiban , eptifbatide
acute coronary syndrome - beta blockers (IV and oral)
- avoid with asthma, heart failure, hypotension, bradyarrhythmias
atenolol (IV then oral)
metoprolol (IV then oral)
acute coronary syndrome - statins (oral)
- HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors
- simvastatin , pravastatin , atorvastatin
acute coronary syndrome - ACE inhibitors (oral)
- ramipril , lisonopril
- monitor renal function
acute coronary syndrome - coronary revascularisation
- percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)
- coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) - high risk mortality in high risk groups eg recent MI
acute coronary syndrome - risk factor modification
- stop smoking
- loose weight , exercise daily
- healthy diet
- treat hypertension + diabetes
- low fat diet with statins
Cardiomyopathy - definition
Group of diseases of the myocardium that affect the mechanical or electrical function of the heart
Cardiomyopathy - epidemiology
- in general: inherited genetic conditions, although some acquired ones
- all carry arrhythmic risk
- can occur younger ages
- restrictive cardiomyopathy rare in childhood, poor outcome once symptoms develop
The 4 types of cardiomyopathy?
- hypertrophic
- dilated
- restrictive
- arrhythmogenic right ventricular
cardiomyopathy - 5 risk factors?
- family history
- hypertension
- obesity
- diabetes
- previous MI
hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - what is it?
ventricular hypertrophy/ thickening of the muscle
hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - epidemiology
- quite common, 2nd most common cardiomyopathy
- 1/500 have it
- autosomal dominant - familial
- may present at any age
- most common cause of sudden cardiac death in the young
- HCM refers to otherwise unexplained primary cardiac hypertrophy
hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - pathophysiology
- sarcomeric protein gene mutations eg troponin T, B-myosin
- in absence of hypertension, valvular disease
- hypertrophic, non-compliant ventricles impair DIASTOLIC filling: reduced stroke volume, reduced cardiac output
- myofibrillar disarray = conduction is affected
hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - clinical presentation (7)
- hypertrophy of myocardium esp interventricular septum
- sudden death may be first manifestation
- chest pain, angina, dysponea, dizziness, palpitations, syncope
- LV outflow obstruction
- cardiac arrhythmia
- ejection systolic murmur
- jerky carotid pulse
hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - 3 diagnosis tools?
- ECG
- echocardiogram
- genetic analysis
hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - ECG
ECG: abnormal, LV hypertrophy signs, progressive T wave inversion, deep Q waves
hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - echocardiogram
ventricular hypertrophy, small left ventricle cavity
hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - genetic analysis
can confirm diagnosis - most cases are autosomal dominant and familial
hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - treatment - 3 drugs
AMIODARONE - anti-arrhythmic medication, if at high arrhythmia risk: implantable cardiac defibrillator
CALCIUM CHANNEL BLOCKER- eg verampil
BETA BLOCKER - eg atenolol
Dilated cardiomyopathy - definition
Dilated left ventricle (or RV or all 4 chambers) which contracts poorly/ has thin muscle - thus dysfunction
dilated cardiomyopathy - epidemiology
- MOST COMMON cardiomyopathy
- autosomal dominant - familial
- caused by: ischaemia, alcohol, thyroid disorder or familial/genetic
dilated cardiomyopathy - pathophysiology
- caused by cytoskeletal gene mutations
- LV, RV, all 4 chamber dilatation thus dysfunction
- theory:poorly generated contractile force causes progressive dilatation of heart with some diffuse interstitial fibrosis
dilated cardiomyopathy - clinical presentation
- shortness of breath, fatigue
- dysponea
- heart failure (cant contract well)
- arrhythmias
- thromboembolism
- sudden death
- increased jugular venous pressure
dilated cardiomyopathy - 3 diagnostic tools and what they will show?
- chest X ray (cardiac enlargement)
- ECG (tachycardia, arrhythmia, non specific T wave changes)
- echocardiogram (dilated ventricles)
dilated cardiomyopathy - treatment
heart failure and atrial fibrilation treated in conventional way
Restrictive cardiomyopathy - epidemiology
- Rare
- Causes: amyloidosis, idiopathic, sarcoidosis, end-myocardial fibrosis
Arrythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy - definition
-progressive genetic cardiomyopathy characterised by progressive fatty and fibrous replacement of ventricular myocardium
arrythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy - epidemiology
- cause unknown
- familial form usually autosomal dominant w/ incomplete penetrance but can be recessive
arrtyhmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy - pathophysiology
- desmosome gene mutation (normally hold cardiac cells together-cell junctions)
- RV replaced by fat and fibrous tissue
- muscle dies, replaced by fat as part of inflammatory process
arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy - clinical presentation
- impairment of holding together of cardiac cells thus conduction issues
- ARRHYTHMIA most common
- syncope
- late stages - maybe signs right heart failure
arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy - diagnosis tools and findings
- ECG: usually normal, may show T wave inversion
- echocardiogram: maybe normal, advanced disease: RV dilatation
- genetic testing: gold standard
arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy - treatment
- BETA BLOCKERS eg atenolol for patients non life threatening arrhythmias
- AMIODARONE for symptomatic arrhythmias
- occasional cardiac transplant indicated eg cardiac failure, devastating arrhythmia
Structural/ congenital heart defects
- 1% all live births some form cardiac defect
- minor —- incompatible with life ex utero
- overall male predominance
- atrial septal defect, persistant ductus arteriosus more common females
- usually: misplaced structures, arrest of progression of normal structure development
Causes of congenital heart disease?
- 1 child with defect increases likelihood 2nd child having another defect
- drugs eg thalidomide, amphetamines,lithium
- diabetes of mother
- genetic abnormalities eg familial form ASD, congenital heart block
Maternal prenatal rubella infection associated with which congenital abnormalities?
- persistant ductus arteriosus
- pulmonary valvular stenosis
- arterial stenosis
Maternal alcohol misuse associated with which congenital abnormality?
- septal defects
Single genes - what congenital heart defects are associated with Trisomy 21?
- septal valve defects
- mitral valve defects
- tricuspid valve defects
Clinical presentation of congenital heart defects
should be recognised early as possible (response better the earlier the treatment)
- central cyanosis
- pulmonary hypertension
- clubbing of fingers
- growth retardation
- syncope
- specific problems in adults/adolescents
Clinical presentation congenital heart defects - central cyanosis
- right to left shunting of blood OR
- complete mixing of systemic+pulmonary blood flow=poorly oxygenated blood entering systemic circulation
- skin goes blueish
- Tetralogy of Fallot, Tricuspid atresia
clinical presentation congenital heart defects - pulmonary hypertension
- large left to right shunts
- persistant raised pulmonary flow = increased pulmonary artery vascular resistance = pulmonary hypertension
- thickening of pulmonary artery walls in response to high pressure
- resistance causes RV pressure to increase = REVERSAL OF SHUNT = cyanosis
Eisenmenger’s reaction
- L to R shunt = pulmonary hypertension leading to thickening pulmonary artery walls, increase RV pressure, reversal of initial shunt so now shunt is right to left = cyanosis
- Eisenmenger’s complex specifically in relation to VSD
Does presence of pulmonary hypertension make prognosis of congenital heart defect better or worse?
Significantly worsens the prognosis
congenital heart defects - what leads to clubbing of fingers?
associated with prolonged cyanosis
congenital heart defects - what type is associated with growth retardation?
common in children with cyanotic heart disease
congenital heart defects - syncope
- presence of severe LV or RV outflow tract obstruction
- exertional syncope associated with keeping central cyanosis, may occur in Fallot’s tetralogy
Congenital heart defects presentation 6 specific common problems in adolescents/adults
- endocarditis (small VSD/bicuspid aortic valve)
- calcification and stenosis of congenitally deformed valves (bicuspid aortic valve)
- atrial and ventricular arrhythmias
- sudden cardiac death
- right sided heart failure
- end stage heart failure