Endocarditis, Hypertension and Dyslipidaemia CUE CARDS Flashcards
Describe a Simplistic CVD Pathophysiological Overview
> Normal Blood Vessels
> Plaque starts building up on the blood vessels leading to vascular disease (Stroke [TIA] and Peripheral Disease [Claudication])
> Angina (becomes symptomatic CVD)
> Atrial Fibrillation (Stroke)
> Death
Prevention of CVD
How do we Treat CVD (HTN and Dyslipidaemia)?
What’s the difference between Primary and Secondary Prevention?
Does the patient have Symptomatic CVD?
NO: Primary Prevention - Taken in healthy person, consider use of meds, to prevent them to go on and develop symptomatic CVD
YES: Secondary Prevention - Taken by patients who have symptomatic CVD to stop them from having another CV event
CV Risk Assessment: If an individual already has CVD, what’s their risk?
Absolute
CV Risk Assessment: What factors, both modifiable and non-modifiable, influence the probability of progressing through the CVD pathway?
Modifiable: smoking status, blood pressure, serum lipids, BMI, waist circumference, nutrition, physical activity level, alcohol intake
Non-Modifiable: Age, Gender, Family Hx of premature CVD, social hx including cultural identity, ethnicity and socioeconomic status
Endocarditis:
What is Endocarditis?
What are the Symptoms?
How can the infection occur?
> An infection of the endocardial surface of the heart
> Symptoms: Fever and chills, Heart Murmurs, Congestive Heart Failure, Secondary Embolic Phenomena
> Bacteria enter bloodstream (via surgical procedure, valve replacement, IV drug use) and lodge on abnormal heart valves or other damaged heart tissue
Endocarditis:
What are the causative organisms dependent upon?
What are the most likely causative organisms?
> Causative organism dependant upon site leading to bacteria in the blood
> Gram +ve: staphylococcus, enterococcus, streptococcus
> Gram -ve: HACEK Group
> Fungal: Candida
Endocarditis Treatment:
What is the purpose of combining two penicillins (flucloxacillin and benzylpenicillin)?
Why is gentamicin also used?
Is there a benefit of vancomycin over penicillin?
Is there a risk of using vancomycin instead of penicillin?
> Flucloxacillin provides good staphylococcus aureus cover and benzylpenicillin covers other gram +ve organisms such as strep. Gentamicin covers gram negative organisms
> Only a benefit in those who are likely to have MRSA
> Unnecessary use promotes the development of resistance to this important abx
Endocarditis: Directed Therapy
Discuss directed therapy of endocarditis caused by strep
> The sensitivity of organism will determine drug choice which will then influence things like duration
> If less sensitive, may have to treat for longer
Gentamicin in Endocarditis
Discuss the use of Gent in directed therapy and its dosing in Endocarditis caused by strep
> Gentamicin isn’t there for gram -ve cover, it’s there to enhance the effects of benzylpenicillin
> When Gent is being use to enhance the effects of benzylpenicillin, it’s given tds (very low dose)
Endocarditis Prophylaxis
What is the main message regarding endocarditis prophylaxis and abx choice?
The main message is to give the abx before the procedure (in patients with cardiac condition/previous endocarditis), to allow it to be circulating the blood stream and therefore kill bacteria as it enters (if it enters) the bloodstream, to prevent infection
Endocarditis Prophylaxis
What are the risks and benefits of endocarditis prophylaxis?
Risks include adverse reactions and abx resistance
Benefits determined by the likelihood of surgical procedure resulting in bacteraemia and the nature of existing cardiac defect
Endocarditis Prophylaxis
Why is this practice less common than it was in the past?
Less common than it was is the past as the benefit may not be as significant as once thought - needs to be balanced with the risks
Endocarditis Prophylaxis
The decision about whether or not to use prophylaxis is determined by what?
Determined by the probability of the patients developing endocarditis
Endocarditis Prophylaxis
The choice of abx is determined by what?
The choice of abx is determined by procedure site (determines what type of bacteria will enter bloodstream)
Rheumatic Heart Disease:
What is Acute Rheumatic Fever?
Where does ARF affect?
What is Rheumatic Heart Disease?
> ARF is an autoimmune consequence of infection with Group A Streptococci
> ARF is a generalised inflammatory response and an illness that selectively affects the heart, joints, brain and skin - the involvement of the cardiac valves is RHD