Focused revision topics Flashcards
Which diabetes medications cause weight loss?
SGLT-2 (flozins)
Injectable GLP1-agonist (dulaglutide)
Which diabetes medications cause weight gain?
Insulin
Sulfonylureas (gliclazide)
Thiazolidinediones (pioglitazone)
Sulfonylurea (gliclazide) side effects:
Weight gain
Hypoglycemia
GI disturbance
Side effect of DPP-4 inhibitors (gliptins)
Headache
Acute pancreatitis
Treatment for absence seizures?
Ethosuxamide or sodium valproate
Paraesthesia is associated with a seizure arising from where?
Parietal lobe
First line to focal epilepsy?
Lamotrigine or carbamazepine
Generalised tonic clonic seizure management (chronic)
- First line:sodium valproate (unless woman of childbearing age)! Levetiracetam.
- Second line:lamotrigineorcarbamazepine
Treatment of infantile spasms:
Prednisolone
Vigabatrin
Side effects of sodium valproate
- Teratogenicso patients need careful advice about contraception
- Liver damage and hepatitis
- Hair loss
- Tremor
Carbamazepine side effects:
- Agranulocytosis
- Aplastic anaemia
- Induces the P450 system so there are many drug interactions
How is pericarditis differentiated from Dressler’s syndrome following an MI?
Pericarditis in the first 48 hours following a transmural MI is common(c. 10% of patients). The pain is typical for pericarditis (worse on lying flat etc), a pericardial rub may be heard and a pericardial effusion may be demonstrated with an echocardiogram.
Dressler’s syndrometends to occur around2-6 weeksfollowing a MI. The underlying pathophysiology is thought to be an autoimmune reaction against antigenic proteins formed as the myocardium recovers. It is characterised by a combination offever,pleuritic pain, pericardial effusion and a raised ESR. It is treated with NSAIDs.
How to differentiate left ventricular aneurysm from left ventricular free wall rupture following an MI?
Left ventricular aneurysm: The ischaemic damage sustained may weaken the myocardium resulting in aneurysm formation. This is typically associated with persistent ST elevationand left ventricular failure. Thrombus may form within the aneurysm increasing the risk of stroke. Patients are therefore anticoagulated.
Left ventricular free wall rupture: This is seen in around 3% of MIs and occurs around 1-2 weeks afterwards. Patients present with acute heart failure secondary to cardiac tamponade (raised JVP, pulsus paradoxus, diminished heart sounds). Urgent pericardiocentesis and thoracotomy are required.
How to differentiate VSD from acute mitral regurgitation following an MI?
VSD: Rupture of the interventricular septum usually occurs in the first week and is seen in around 1-2% of patients. Features: acute heart failure associated with a pan-systolic murmur. An echocardiogram is diagnostic and will exclude acute mitral regurgitation which presents in a similar fashion. Urgent surgical correction is needed.
Acute mitral regurge: More common with infero-posterior infarction and may be due toischaemia or rupture of the papillary muscle. Acute hypotension andpulmonary oedemamay occur. An early-to-mid systolic murmur is typically heard. Patients are treated with vasodilator therapy but often require emergency surgical repair.
What calcium channels need to be avoided in heart failure and when the patient already takes beta blockers?
Verapamil and diltiazem must be avoided.
Explain the use of dihydropiridine calcium channel blockers:
Indicated for: Hypertension, angina, Raynaud’s.
Affects the peripheral vascular smooth muscle more than the myocardium and therefore do not result in worsening of heart failurebutmay therefore cause ankle swelling.
Shorter acting dihydropyridines (e.g. nifedipine) cause peripheral vasodilation which may result inreflex tachycardia.
- Acute kidney injury
- Microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia
- Thrombocytopenia
think…?
Haemolytic uraemic syndrome
What is the Coombs test used for?
Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia
Antiglobulin testing, also known as the Coombs test, is an immunology laboratory procedure used to detect the presence of antibodies against circulating red blood cells (RBCs) in the body, which then induce haemolysis.
What is seen on the blood film in HUS?
Schistocytes and helmet cells
Treatment of HUS:
- Treatment is supportive e.g. Fluids, blood transfusion and dialysis if required.
- There isno role for antibiotics, despite the preceding diarrhoeal illnessin many patients.
- The indications for plasma exchange in HUS are complicated
- As a general rule plasma exchange is reserved for severe cases of HUS not associated with diarrhoea.
- Eculizumab (a C5 inhibitor monoclonal antibody) has evidence of greater efficiency than plasma exchange alone in the treatment of adult atypical HUS.