ILA Flashcards
Describe the main stages involved in the formation of an atherosclerotic plaque?
- Fatty streaks form from young ages
- Endothelial damage
- Release of inflammatory chemokines that attracts inflammation cells and increased expressoin of adhesion cells
- Inflammation
- Macrophages start coming into the intima and become FOAM CELLS
- Plaque progression: intermediate lesions (smooth muscle cells, platelets, foam cells, T lymphocytes, pools of extracellular lipid)
- Fibrous cap forms: smooth muscle cells produce collagen and elastin making it fibrous and forming the cap, necrotic core forms, impeding blood flow (ischaemia)
- Plaque rupture, exposing collagen, necrotic tissue and basement membrane, small vessels haemorrage = blood coagulation = clotting = occlusion = infarction = myocardial or cerebral
Describe the structure of an atherosclerotic plaque?
- Tends to be found at bifurcation points
- Lipid necrotic core, connective tissue, fibrous cap
- Dangers are angina, myocardial or cerebral infection via blockage
What are some modifiable risk factors of atherosclerosis?
Smoking > free radicals in cigarette smoke
Sedentary lifestyle > increase risk of diabetes and hyperlipidaemia (endothelial damage) and hypertension
Hypertension > shearing forces damage endothelium and also increased permeablilty to LDLs
High chloesterol > more LDL deposits = more modified macrophages (foam cells)
Diabetes > more bloody sugar = more LDLs attracting more inflammatory properties also causes more lipids
BMI
What are some non modifiable risk factors of atherosclerosis?
Family history > genetic component of hyperlipidaemia, hypertension and diabetes
Gender
Age
Ethnicity
How does smoking increase the risk of atherosclerosis?
Free radicals in cigarette smoke damage endothelium
CO and nicotine - ROS - oxidises LDL
Increases LDL levels
Makes blood thicker (thrombogenicity) so more tendency to clot
What primary prevention measures can be taken for atherosclerosis?
-Take low-dose aspirin to reduce platelet aggregation
-Exercise regularly
-Stop smoking
-Take blood pressure medication (ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor
blockers, beta-blockers, etc.)
-Healthy diet, less salt
-lose weight
What secondary prevention measures can be taken for atherosclerosis?
- prescribe aspirin and anti-hypertensive medication
- prescribe exercise
- diet program/ referral?
- regular check-ups
- procedure to widen/bypass affected arteries
- take statins to reduce cholesterol level
- if diabetes then metformin
Define anaphylaxis?
Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening, generalised or systemic hypersensitivity reaction.
Characterised by rapidly developing life-threatening airway and/or breathing and/or circulation problems usually associated with skin and mucosal changes.
Describe the beta adrenergic receptor activity of adrenaline?
- Stimulation of Beta1-adrenoceptors positive ionotropic and chronotropic effects on the heart
- Reduces oedema and bronchodilates via beta2-adrenoceptors
• Attenuates further release of mediators from mast cells and basophils by increasing
intracellular c-AMP and so reducing the release of inflammatory mediators
Describe the alpha adrenergic activity of adrenaline?
- Peripheral vasoconstriction increase in peripheral vascular resistance, increased BP and coronary perfusion via alpha1-adrenoceptors
- Reduction of oedema
Why might a second does of adrenaline be required if symptoms do not initially respond or get worse?
Because adrenaline has a short half life and therefore a second dose may be required if the symptoms do not initially respond or get worse
What is the recommended treatment for anaphylaxis? (full)
REMOVE THE PRECIPITATING CAUSE e.g. IV antibiotics
Lie flat and raise legs
- 500 micrograms of adrnaline intramuscularly unless experiences with IV adrenaline > repeat after 5 mins if no better
- High flow oxygen > increases the alveolar oxygen concentration to over come hypoxia due to bronchospasm, reduced ventilatory effort and interstitial oedema
- Fluids > help restore circulating volume therefore stroke volume increasing cardiac output
- Chlorphenamine > antihistamine blocking histamine-1 receptor thus blocking the action of histamine released during anaphylaxis
- Hydrocortisone > surpresses prostaglandin and leukotrine mediators, inflammatory cell recruitment and migration are inhibited and vasoconstriction reduces leakage from blood vessels
What confirmatory blood test will you need to take after an anaphylactic reaction? How will this confirm or refute a diagnosis of anaphyalxis?
Blood test is Mast Cell Tryptase.
Anaphylaxis causes an elevated serum mast cell tryptase.
What would the large histamine release in anaphylaxis cause?
Histamine causes vasodilation and increased vascular permeability
This causes anigo-oedema and erythema (redness) to local tissues and therefore swelling
Why might someone have a raised heart rate, low bp, and slow capillary refill time?
Vasodilation and increased vascular permeability (therefore oedema) means that there is less fluid in the vessels therefore lower bp (hypotension) and the heart pumps faster to compensate
Why might someone what a raised respiratory rate, low oxygen saturation and expiratory wheeze?
Contraction of respiratory smooth muscle surrounding trachea therefore airway constriction would cause all three
What cells are involved with anaphylaxis?
Mast cells
What antibody is involved in anaphylaxis?
IgE