Exam 2 Flashcards
Lecture 1
Clinical Cardiovascular Structure and Function
What are some signs of cardiac disease?
Objective signs
-Cardiac murmurs
-Rhythm disturbances
-Jugular pulsations
-Cardiac enlargement
Exemptions
-Non-pathologic murmurs
-Normal irregularity of sinus arrhythmia
What are some signs of cardiac disease that can occur with other non-cardiac diseases?
-Syncope
-Excessively weak or strong arterial pulses
-Cough or respiratory difficulty
-Exercise intolerance
-Abdominal distention
-Cyanosis
How can we evaluate (diagnose) CV disease presence?
-Thoracic radiographs
-Cardiac biomarkers tests
-Echocardiography
Electrocardiography (ECG)
What are the C/S of HF?
Congestive signs LEFT (Increased Heart filling pressure)
-Pulmonary venous congestion
-Pulmonary edema = tachypnea, Increase Respiratory effort, cough, orthopnea ( shortness of breath), pulmonary crackles, tiring, cyanosis, hemoptysis (discharge of bloody mucus)
-Postcapillary pulmonary hypertension
-Second right-sided heart failure
-Cardiac arrhythmias
Congestive signs RIGHT (Increased Heart filling pressure)
-Systemic venous congestion = causes central venous pressure, jugular vein distention.
-Hepatic +/- splenic congestion
-Pleural effusion (causes increase respiratory effort, orthopnea, cyanosis)
-Ascites
-Small pericardial effusion
-Subcutaneous edema
-Cardiac arrhythmias
Low cardiac Output
-Tiring
-Exertional weakness
-Syncope
-Pre renal azotemia
-Cyanosis (from peripheral circulation)
- Cardiac arrhtyhmias
What are CV Causes of Syncope or Intermittent Weakness?
Other causes of Syncope
Cardiovascular Causes
-Bradyarrhythmias = 2nd or 3rd degree AV block, sinus arrest, sick sinus syndrome, atrial standstill.
-Tachyarrhythmias = paroproximal atrial or ventricular tachycardia, reentrant supraventricular tachycardia, atrial fibrillation.
-Congenital ventricular outflow obstruction = pulmonic stenosis, subaortic stenosis.
-Acquired ventricular outflow obstruction = HTW disease, other causes of pulmonary hypertension, hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, intracardiac tumor, thrombus.
-Cyanotic heart disease = Tetralogy of Fallot, pulmonary hypertension, “reversed” shunt.
-Impaired forward CO = severe valvular insufficiency, dilated cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction or inflammation
-Impaired cardiac filling = cardiac tamponade, constructive pericarditis, hypertrophic or restrictive cardiomayopathy, intracardiac tumor, thrombus.
-Cardiovascular drugs = DIURETICS, VASODILATORS
-Neurpcardiogenic reflexes (vasovagal, cough-syncope, other situational syncope).
What are the characteristics of CV syncope? see previous card
Transient unconsciousness with loss of postural tone (collapse) from insufficient oxygen or glucose delivery to the brain
-Rear limb weakness
-Sudden collapse
-Lateral recumbency
-Stiffness of the forelimbs with opisthotonos (state of severe hypertension, tenanus-like muscle spasms) and micturition (urination)
NOT
-Postictal dementia
-Neurologic deficits
-Defecation
Syncope
Predisposed Breeds
-Activation of vasodepressor reflexes
-Excessive CV drugs dosage
-Very fast or very slow HR
-Weakness of CO - inappropriate reflex bradychardia and hypotension
Doberman Pinschers
Boxers
-Postural hypotension
-Sudden bradycardia
-Hypersensitivity of carotid sinus receptors
What is cough syncope?
Occurs in some dogs with LA enlargement and bronchial compression or primary respiratory disease
-Cough fit that leads to acute decrease in cardiac filling and output.
-Peripheral vasodilation after cough
-Increased intracranial venous compression, increased cerebrospinal fluid.
Severe pulmonary disease, ANEMIA, and certain metabolic abnormalities, primary neurologic disease can also cause it
CHF and other respiratory signs
(Heartworm disease and Pulmonary vascular pathology)
How is the cough different in dogs and cats?
What stimulates dry hacking cough?
Dogs
-Cough cardiopulmonary edema
-Soft and moist cough
Cats
-Rarely cough from pulmonary edema
PLEURAL & PERICARDIAL effusions
- Main stem bronchus collapse or compression from LA enlargement = DRY HACKING COUGH from Chronic mitral valve disease, a heart base tumor, enlarged hilar lymph nodes, or other masses that impinge on an airway
- Generalized cardiomegaly, LA enlargement, pulmonary venous congestion, lung infiltrates (that resolve with diuretic therapy), or positive HTW test.
Congenital Basilar ejection murmur What breeds?
-Greyhounds
-Sighthounds
What does the PE for CV specific evaluates?
-Peripheral circulation = MMs,
MMs: petechia = platelet disfunction, Icterus = yellow (hemolysis, hepatobiliary disease)
- Systemic veins (jugular)
-Systemic arterial pulses
-Precordium (left and right chest wall over the ehart)
-Auscultation of heart and lungs
-Palpating for abnormal fluid accumulation
Respiratory patterns
-Dyspnea: respiratory difficulty
-Hyperpnea: increased depth of respiration, can result in hypoxemia, hypercarbia, or acidosis.
-Tachypnea: rapid, shallow breathing, associated with pulmonary edema (stiff lungs).
Increased resting RR without respiratory disease is and early indicator of pulmonary edema
Upper airway obstruction: prolonged, labored inspiration
Lower airway obstruction: prolonged expiration (edema)
Open mouth breathing = severe respiratory distress in CATS
Jugular Pulsations
How to differentiate from carotid pulsations?
What are they related to?
What disease can be present if visible jugular pulsations occur?
Abnormal when
-Extend higher than one third of the way up the neck
Carotid vs Jugular pulsations
-Lightly occlude jugular below area of visible pulsation, if it disappears = jugular pulsation. If it continues = carotid.
Jugular pulses are related to Atrial contraction and filling, EX: Hypervolemia
-Tricuspid insufficiency (after S1 during ventricular contraction)
-Hypertrophied right ventricle (just before S1, during atrial contraction)
-Arrhythmias
Arterial Pulses
Give examples of causes for strong and weak pulses
What can cause very strong, bounding pulses?
How do cardiac arrhythmias affect arterial pulses?
-Hypokinetic: Pressure difference is small, weak pulse upon palpation
Ex: severe subaortic stenosis
-Hyperkinetic: pressure difference is wide, strong pulses upon palpation
-Both femoral pulses should be compared: Thromboembolic disease can cause difference between the two.
Cardiac Arrhythmias
-Induce pulse deficits by causing heart to beat before adequate ventricular filling has occurred = minimal or no blood is ejected for those beats = absent palpable pulse
Bigeminy
(a normal heartbeat alternating with a premature beat) & Severe Myocardial failure
-Causes reduced ventricular filling and ejection = alternately weak then strong pulsations
Cardiac Tamponade
(fluid collects in pericardial sac, increasing pressure, which prevents ventricles from expanding fully)
-Decreased arterial pressure during inspiration = weak pulse during inspiration.
Precordium Pulses
Precordium: chest area that overlies the heart on both sides of the thorax
Should be stronger in the left chest wall
Decreased pulse
-Obesity, weak cardiac contractions, pericardial effusions, intrathoracic masses, pleural effusion, or pneumothorax
Abnormally strong Right pericordium pulse
-RV hypertrophy, or displacement of heart to the right by a hemithorax, mass lesion, lung atelectasis, or chest deformity.
Cardiac murmurs
-Very loud ones can cause pulsations/vibrations “buzzing” sensation
Auscultation and Cardiac Cycle Diagram
Transient sounds
-Short duration
-S1: closure and tensing AV valves (Tricuspid and mitral) and structures at the onset of systole
-S2: Closure of Aortic and Pulmonic valves following ejection.
Cardiac murmurs
-Longer sounds occurring during a normally silent part of the cardiac cycle.
Characteristics
-Frequency (pitch)
-Amplitude of vibrations (intensity/loudness)
-Duration
-Quality (timbre): affected by the physical characteristics of the vibrating structures
Stethoscope
-Diaphragm: applied firm
-Bell: applied lightly
-One piece stethoscope: firm pressure and light pressure against the skin
Large Breeds - normal splitting of S2
During inspiration, increased venous return to the RV tends to delay closure of the pulmonic valve, whereas reduced filling of the LV accelerates Aortic closure
What can cause Pathophysiologic S2 Splitting?
Results from
-Delayed ventricular activation or
-Prolonged RV ejection secondary to PREMATURE BEATS
-Right bundle branch block
-Ventricular or Atrial Septal Defect or
-Pulmonary Hypertension
Gallop Sounds
When are they usually heard?
Bell or diaphragm of stethoscope?
What does an audible S3/S4 indicate? when does each occur?
S3 and S4
-During diastole
-Not Normal
Heart sounds like a galloping horse when S3 and S4 present
-Best heard with bell (light pressure)
-Lower frequency than S1 and S2
S3 ventricular gallop
-Low frequency vibrations
-At the end of rapid ventricular filling
Audible = ventricular dilation with myocardial failure, CHF, advanced mitral valve disease
-Heard best over the cardiac Apex
S4 Atrial or presystolic gallop
-Low frequency vibrations
-Triggered by blood flow into the ventricles during Atrial Contraction (just after P-wave)
Increased ventricular stiffness and hypertrophy, such as with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or HYPERTHYROIDISM in cats
-Sometimes in stressed or anemic cats
What sound is associated with Degenerative Valve disease?
Systolic clicks
Mid-to-late systolic sounds that are heard best over the mitral valve area
-Murmur that develops over time
Associated also with congenital mitral dysplasia, concurrent mitral insufficiency, mitral valve prolapse
-Valvular pulmonic stenosis: early systolic high pitched ejection sound at the base. Diseases that cause dilation of a great artery. Sound can be from fused pulmonic valve or rapid filling of dilated vessel during ejection.
Pericardial Knock
-Restrictive pericardial disease causes an audible pericardial knock.
-Diastolic sound arises from sudden checking of ventricular filling by the constructive pericardium
-Timing similar to S3
Cardiac Murmurs
Are they always pathologic?
Which murmurs are systolic in timing? What are some reason non-pathologic murmurs can occur?
Phonocardiography
What usually causes:
- holosystolic murmurs,
- Crescendo-decresendo murmurs,
- Systolic decrescendo,
- Diastolic decrescendo, and
- Continous murmurs?
-Not always pathologic
-Most involve structural cardiac abnormality and are considered pathologic
FUNCTIONAL MURMURS = Non-pathologic = systolic in timing
-Anemia: blood viscosity decreased
-Fever, CO increased
-Hyperthyroidisms, etc.
-Puppies
Phonocardiography
- Plateau shape “regurgitant” murmur
Turbulent blood flow begins at the time AV valve closing and continues through systole
(AV valve insufficiency and Interventricular septal defects)
-Begins at S1 and remains fairly uniform intensity throughout systole. AKA HOLOSYSTOLIC becuase is consistent throughout systole.
Loud holosystolic can mask S1 and S2 sounds
- Crescendo-decrescendo murmur or Diamond shape.
(Ventricular outflow obstruction)
-Starts softly and builds intensity in midsystole, and diminishes; the S1 and S2 sounds usually can be heard before and after murmur.
AKA EJECTION MURMUR
- Descrecendo (systolic or Diastolic)
-Decreases initial intensity overtime.
- Continous (machinery)
-Occurs throughout systole and (well into or) throughout diastole.
Cardiac Murmurs Grade 1
-Very soft murmur
-Heard only over its site of origin, after prolonged listening, in quiet surroundings
Cardiac Murmurs Grade 2
-Soft murmur but easily heard over its site of origin (usually a particular valve area)
Cardiac Murmurs Grade 3
-Moderate-intensity murmur
-Usually radiates to other precordial/valve areas too
Cardiac Murmurs Grade 4
-Loud murmur but without precordial thrill
-Radiates widely and usually can be heard over most precordial regions
Cardiac Murmurs Grade 5
-Loud murmur with palpable precordial thrill
-Radiates widely and usually can be heard clearly over all precordial regions
Cardiac Murmurs Grade 6
-Very loud murmur with a precordial thrill
-Radiates widely
-Generally is clearly heard over all precordial areas, and also can be heard with the stethoscope chestpiece slightly 1cm from chest wall
Point of Maximal Intensity
PDA: Patent ductus arteriosus
MR: mitral regurgitation (insufficiency)
SAS: subaortic stenosis (left and right)
PS: Pulmonic Stenosis
TR: tricuspid regurgitation
VSD: ventricular septal defect
Where can functional murmurs can be best heard?
What is the expected sound and intensity?
-Over the left heart base
-Soft to moderate intensity
-Decrescebdo or crescendo-decrescendo configuration
Causes
-Hypoproteinemia
-Fever
-High sympathetic tone
-Anemia
-Hyperthyroidism
-Marked bradycardia
-Peripheral arteriovenous fistule
-Athletic hearts
What conditions are associated with systolic murmurs in cats?
-Aortic dilation (from hypertension)
-Dynamic RV outflow obstruction
Where are systolic Ejection murmurs best heard at?
What are the typical causes?
-Left base of heart
-Ventricular outflow obstruction
-Subaortic stenosis = low left base and also at the right base bc it radiates up the aortic arch, which curves toward the right.
-Pulmonic stenosis = cranial left base
-Dynamic muscular obstruction
They become louders as cardiac output or contractile strength increases
Pulmonic stenosis: occurs when flow volume through normal valve is abnormally increased as with left-to-right shunting atrial or ventricular septal defect
Where is Tricuspid valve insufficiency murmur best heard at?
-At the right apex over the valve
-It can be noticeably different from concurrent mitral valve insufficiency
-It is accompanied by jugular pulsations
Holosystolic murmurs other casuses?
-Ventricular septal defects
-PMI is the right sternal border
Where is the PMI of most feline murmurs?
-Near the sternal border
-Many are associated with dynamic left or right ventricular outflow obstruction
-Congenital Cardiac malformations are also a common cause of murmurs in cats.
-NT-proBNP measurement can help screening
Diastolic Murmurs
What is the most common cause?
When are they heard?
-Uncommon in cats and dogs
-They are always pathologic
Aortic valve insufficiency from infective endocarditis is the most common cause
-Pulmonic valve insufficiency is rare, but heard during pulmonary hypertension
-Diastolic murmurs are heard at the beginning of S2
-Best heard at the left base
-Decrescendo in configuration
Continuous Murmurs
When are they heard?
What do they indicate?
-“Machinery”
-Throughout the cardiac cycle
Indicate substantial pressure gradient exists continuously between two connecting vessels
-It becomes softer toward the end of diastole, and at slow heart rates, may become inaudible
PDA: the most common cause
-Heard best at the left base, dorsal to the pulmonic valve
-Radiates cranially, ventrally and to the right
Cardiac Biochemical Markers
What are cardiac troponins and natriuretic peptides?
What are the biomarkers measured clinically?
Cardiac troponins
-Regulatory proteins attached to the cardiac actin (thin) contractile filaments
-Myocyte injury allows their leakage
-Cardiac troponin 1 (cTnI)
-Half life = 6 hrs, persistent increase in serum indicate ongoing damage.
-Gastric dilation/volvulus = increased cTnI minimal
-Older animals - mild increase
<2.0 ng/ml normal
Natriuretic Peptides
-NT-proBNP: Brain NP
-Atrial ANP: atrial - ANP
Give an example of an avialble in house cardiac biomarkers test
Idexx Canine or Feline
Troponin I
It can be used to detect chronic mitral valve disease
What does natriuretic peptides (for their precursors) identify when their presence is abnormal?
Increased circulation occurs with
-Increased vascular volume expansion
-Decreased Renal clearance
Due to
-Atrial stretch
-Ventricular strain
-Ventricular Hypertrophy
-Hypoxia
-Tachyarrhythmias
-Ectopic non-cardiac production
ANP & BNP
Help regulate blood volume and pressure
-Antagonize the RAAS axis
-Synthesized as prehormones
-Cleaved to PROHORMONE
-Inactive form NT-pro-
-Active carboxyterminal (C-) fragments
The N-terminal fragments remain in circulation longer and reach higher plasma concentrations than active hormone molecules
Which natriurectic peptide is often most measured because its degree of elevation generally correlates with cardiac disease severity?
NT-pro-BNP
-Inactive form = N-terminal higher concentration in plasma
-They can also indicate non cardiac disease
-Hyperthyroidism in cats
-Renal dysfunction
-Pulmonary hypertension
Low risk
<800-900 pmol/L in dogs
<100 pmol/L in cats
High risk for CHF
>1400-1800 pmol/L in dogs
>1500 pmol/L in small breeds
Doberman pinchers occult cardiomyopathy can show <800 pmol/L
Low risk CHF
Cats with respiratory signs and 100-269 pmol/L
Cardiac Radiography
-VD, DV, and lateral (right usually)
-VD: heart more elongated,
-DV: better ihilar area and pulmonary arteries definition
-Exposure at peak of inspiration
-Excess pericardial fat may mimic the appearance of cardiomegaly
Vertebral Heart Score
-Using lateral view in adults
-Long axis
-Short axis
-Values added
Dogs normal: 8.5 - 10.5 vertebrae
Cats normal: 7.3 - 7.5 vertebrae, 9 suggests heart disease