Ischemic heart disease and Acute Coronary Syndrome Flashcards
Which layer of the heart is most susceptible to myocardial ischemia and why is this so?
subendocardial layers are the most susceptible to ischemia because they undergo greater SHORTENING of subendocardial contractile units, which
1) require a greater energy supply
2) subjected to the greatest compressive forces
What process consumes more ATP/O2: myocardial tension development or myocardial shortening?
myocardial tension development
Explain how coronary atherosclerosis may lead to myocardial ischemia.
a stable plaque can turn into an unstable plaque if it is subjected to injury and/or inflammation.
The unstable plaque can undergo either
1) healing to become a stable plaque (typical angina), or it can
2) rupture and cause coronary thrombosis (Q wave infarct)
Explain how coronary spasms may lead to myocardial ischemia.
spasms can occlude a normal or atherosclerotic plaque
Explain how hypotension may lead to myocardial ischemia.
decreased diastolic pressure –> decreased coronary perfusion
Explain how hypoxia may lead to myocardial ischemia.
low PaO2 –> less oxygen delivery by coronary blood
Explain how anemia may lead to myocardial ischemia.
low Hb levels –> impaired coronary oxygen delivery
Explain how tachycardia may lead to myocardial ischemia.
decreased diastolic time –> decreased time for diastolic coronary perfusion
Explain how LV hypertrophy may lead to myocardial ischemia.
greater intramyocardial compressive forces combined with increase time and distance for blood to travel from the epicardium to the subendocardium
What are some factors that increase myocardial oxygen demand? (5)
1) tachycardia
2) HTN (increase LV wall tension necessary to pump blood out)
3) increased preload (increased wall tension/shortening)
4) increased ionotropy (greater tension/speed of contraction)
5) increased LVH (increased myocardial mass)
What is typical angina? variant angina?
What is stable angina? unstable angina?
Typical: transient chest pain that is brought on by an increase in myocardial O2 demand in the face of a fixed coronary obstruction (ie atherosclerosis). Can be stable or unstable.
Variant: (Prinzmetal angina) - transient coronary vasospasms
Stable: angina that is brought on predictably by the same amount of exercise/exertion
Unstable: angina that is changing in pattern (onset changes)
How does angina present differently than an acute myocardial infarction?
an acute MI usually, but not always, cause chest pain that is similar to that of variant angina, but it has a longer duration
What are some of the clinical outcomes of myocardial ischemia?
1) angina (typical vs variant; stable vs unstable)
2) acute myocardial infarction
3) LV dysfunction
4) heart failure (persistent ischemia causes the myocardium to infarct and scar)
5) arrhythmias
What causes CHRONIC coronary disease? What are the characteristic symptoms?
Fixed coronary artery obstruction with or without a previous infarction
symptoms range from asymptomatic -> angina -> heart failure
Physical exertion (exercise) is limited by angina
What causes ACUTE coronary disease? What are the characteristic symptoms?
acute lesion in a coronary plaque; classified as:
1) unstable angina - resulting ischemia produces new or increased chest pain, but is not severe enough to produce an infarct
2) non-STEMI - similar to unstable angina, but the ischemia is severe enough to cause a myocardial infarct
3) STEMI - lesion compounded by thrombosis, which leads to a large transmural ischemia
What causes sudden cardiac death?
arrhythmia leading to ventricular fibrillation
What is the levine sign?
clenched fist held against the anterior chest; typical of angina
How do patients often describe their angina?
What usually causes it?
How long does it usually last for?
“indescribable” - descriptions are highly variable and non-specific
Levine sign
usually brought on upon exertion
lasts 2-15minutes
Where does angina usually present?
sub-sternal; difficult to localize, but may radiate to the jaw or arms
What is the typical exam finding for angina?
S4 gallop and mitral regurtiation murmur due to decrease LV compliance during an anginal attack
What are the major risk factors that are suggestive of coronary disease?
HTN male age Type A personality obesity hyperlipidemia
How would you differentiate between coronary + non-coronary causes of angina, such as:
- aortic dissections
- pericarditis
- pleural pain
coronary causes: insufficient myocardial oxygen supply; pain brought on upon exertion
- aortic dissections - pain is maximal at onset and migrates as the dissection advances
- pericarditis - pain with inspiration and lying flat
- pleural pain - pain with inspiration
What are some tests that can be used to to diagnose angina?
1) coronary arteriography/angiography
2) resting ECG
3) myocardial perfusion scan
4) ECHO
5) exercise ECG
What are the possible things that can show up on an ECG in a patient with angina?
ST elevation: transmural ischemia
Pathological Q wave: transmural infarction
ST depression: subendocardial ischemia
Strain: LVH, electrolyte abnormalities, hyperventilation
Why would the myocardial perfusion scan be useful in diagnosing a patient with angina?
accentuates “cold spots”, or areas that have inadequate blood flow using a radioisotope dye that is preferentially taken up by myocardium that is perfused + functioning