Ischemia (Acute Coronary Syndromes and stable angina ) Flashcards
What is the most common cause of Acute Coronary Syndromes?
a thrombus from an atherosclerotic plaque blocking a coronary artery. lead to decrease oxygen supply and increase oxygen supply.
What is the common mechanism underlying all Acute Coronary Syndromes?
the rupture or erosion of the fibrous cap of a coronary artery plaque.
What happens when the fibrous cap of a coronary artery plaque ruptures or erodes?
it leads to platelet aggregation and adhesion.
What are the consequences of platelet aggregation and adhesion in Acute Coronary Syndromes?
Platelet aggregation and adhesion in Acute Coronary Syndromes result in localized thrombosis, vasoconstriction, and distal thrombus embolization.
How does thrombus formation and vasoconstriction contribute to myocardial ischemia?
reduce coronary blood flow, leading to myocardial ischemia.
What is the difference between unstable angina, NSTEMI, and STEMI?
- Unstable angina is characterized by subtotal occlusion, supply-led ischemia without infarction, and a high (50%) risk of myocardial infarction (MI) in the subsequent 30 days.
- NSTEMI is also characterized by subtotal occlusion about 90% and infraction if lefted untreated for 30 min .
- STEMI is characterized by complete occlusion thus immediate infraction.
What are the four types of MI, and what distinguishes them?
Type 1: Traditional MI due to an acute coronary event.
Type 2: Ischemia secondary to increased demand or reduced supply of oxygen.
Type 3: Sudden cardiac death or cardiac arrest suggestive of an ischemic event.
Type 4: MI associated with PCI (percutaneous coronary intervention), coronary stenting, or CABG (coronary artery bypass grafting).
What are the symptoms commonly associated with severe crushing central chest pain at rest?
- Pain that radiates to the jaw and arms, similar to angina but more prolonged and
- not relieved by GTN (glyceryl trinitrate).
- They are also associated with sweating, nausea, and often vomiting.
- The duration of pain is typically 30 minutes or longer.
Which groups of individuals are at higher risk of atypical presentation or silent MI?
Answer: the elderly, and patients with diabetes are at higher risk of atypical presentation or silent MI.
What are the possible symptoms of atypical or silent MI?
milder symptoms (without chest pain), especially in younger women, such as shortness of breath, fatigue, body aches, and an overall feeling of illness.
Other symptoms may include an unusual feeling or mild discomfort in the back, chest, arm, neck, or jaw (without chest pain), heartburn, nausea/vomiting, abdominal pain.
- It is important to note that these symptoms may occur up to a month before the occurrence of an MI and can include fatigue, sleep disturbance, shortness of breath, anxiety, indigestion, and palpitations.
What is the significance of xanthelasma as a sign?
Answer:
* Xanthelasma is a sign of atherosclerosis.
- It is a yellowish deposit of cholesterol that forms on the eyelids and is associated with the presence of atherosclerotic plaques.
What are the ECG changes observed in STEMI?
Answer: include
- ST segment elevation in leads consistent with an area of ischemia.
- A new Left Bundle Branch Block (LBBB) can also diagnose a STEMI.
What are the ECG changes observed in NSTEMI?
Answer:
* may be normal or may show ST segment
depression in a specific region,
- deep T-wave inversion, and
- pathological Q waves suggesting a deep infarct (a late sign).
What are the possible ECG findings in unstable angina?
Answer:
* may be normal or may include non-specific changes,
* abnormal T waves, or
* ST depression.
What ECG findings indicate a posterior myocardial infarction (MI)?
Answer:
ST depression with tall R waves in V2-V3 indicates a posterior MI and
* elevation in V7 -V9
What ECG findings suggest an anterior MI?
Answer: include ST segment elevation in the leads corresponding to the anterior region of the heart (typically leads V2-V4).
- Effecting the left anterior decending artery
What are the initial management strategies for unblocking the artery in Acute Coronary Syndromes?
Answer: The initial management strategies include administering
* morphine (with metoclopramide),
* providing oxygen if hypoxic,
* using nitrates if the patient is hypertensive or in acute left ventricular failure (LVF),
* administering aspirin, and
* prescribing ticagrelor or clopidogrel.
What is the definitive management approach for STEMI?
Answer:
* percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) if available within 2 hours of pain onset.
* If PCI is not available within 2 hours, thrombolysis can be considered.
What is the definitive management approach for NSTEMI?
Answer: involves risk stratification based on ECG changes, troponin levels, and past medical history.
* All patients receive continuing aspirin and fondaparinux (anticoagulant).
* High-risk patients may undergo PCI and receive tirofiban (antiplatelet),
* while low-risk patients may be discharged after repeat negative troponin and followed up.
What are the lifestyle modifications recommended for secondary prevention in Acute Coronary Syndromes?
Answer: The lifestyle modifications include
* participating in a cardiac rehab program,
* making dietary modifications,
* increasing exercise, and quitting smoking.
* It is also important to have good control of blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes.
What medications are part of the secondary prevention regimen for Acute Coronary Syndromes (DABS)?
Answer: The medications for secondary prevention are:
* Dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin for life and 6-12 months of a P2Y12 inhibitor (e.g., ticagrelor).
* ACE inhibitor (ACEi).
* β-blocker, which should be started within 24 hours of confirmed ACS.
* Statin.
Other medications include
* GTN for angina symptoms and
* aldosterone antagonists for patients with symptoms and/or signs of heart failure and left ventricular systolic dysfunction.
In which patient populations does CABG (coronary artery bypass grafting) have a survival advantage over PCI (percutaneous coronary intervention)?
Answer: CABG has a survival advantage over PCI in patients who areover 65 years old, have diabetes, or
have complex 3 vessel disease.
What is the conduit of choice for the left anterior descending coronary artery in CABG?
Answer: The left internal mammary artery
What are some arrhythmias that can occur as complications of Acute Coronary Syndromes?
Answer: include bradycardia, heart block, and tachyarrhythmias such as ventricular fibrillation.