JC 12 (Medicine) - Acute Myocardial Infarction and Aortic Dissection Flashcards
Difference in troponin levels between ACS with/ without ST elevation
ACS + ST elevation = Troponin elevated
ACS without ST elevation/ with ST depression/ T wave inversion = Troponin normal/ marginally elevated
Pathophysiology of acute myocardial infarction
Difference between myocardial ischemia and infarction
Fibrous cap of plaque ruptures
» blood clot forms around the rupture
» blocked coronary artery
» death of heart tissue due to prolonged ischemia
o Ischemia = lack of blood supply, no myocardial cell death, reversible
o Myocardial infarction = cell death, cannot regenerate, irreversible
Phases of myocardial infarction
Which phase is salvageable?
- Evolving phase (first 6 hours to 12 hours from the time of pain)
Infarcted muscles are acidotic, with loss of Ca and influx of K+ → arrhythmia
Potential for recovery of heart muscle if:
a) Improve blood supply by revascularization
b) Decrease oxygen demand (lower BP, HR) - Convalescence phase
Infarcted muscles will not recover, irreversible
Treating myocardial infarct during convalescence phase is not useful. T or F?
False
treatment during convalescence phase can improve mortality and morbidity by:
a) Avoiding remodeling of infarct (thinning of the infarct wall and dilation of
infarct zone) → avoid aneurysm, ventricular septal rupture, heart failure
b) Improving collateral circulation
ST elevation myocardial infarction
- Predisposing factors/ triggers
Unusual heavy exercise
Emotional stress (including surgery, infection, exercise)
Progression from unstable angina
Surgical procedures
Infection e.g. pneumonia
Circadian periodicity (peak incidence between 0600-1200)
ST elevation myocardial infarction:
Presentation
Severe (maybe intolerable)
Prolonged (usually > 30 minutes, not relieved by rest)
Nature: constricting, crushing, compressing, heavy weight
Radiation: left arm (ulnar aspect), lower jaw
Other symptoms: SOB, weakness, dizziness, palpitation, nausea, vomiting (Bezold-Jarisch reflex)
ST elevation myocardial infarction
Differential diagnosis
- Acute pericarditis
Sharp (knifelike)
Aggravated by respiratory movement
Radiates to the trapezius ridge (= characteristic site of pericardial pain) - Pulmonary embolism: hemoptysis
- Aortic dissection:
Ripping / tearing sensation
Radiation to back
Diagnostic criteria for acute myocardial infarction (type 1 and 2) **
- Detection of rise and/or fall of cardiac biomarkers above 99th percentile of ULN
- Evidence of ischemia:
- Clinical symptoms of ischemia
- ECG changes: New St-T wave changes/ New LBBB/ New Pathological Q waves
- Cardiac imaging evidence: New loss of viable myocardium/ new loss of wall motion
Types of cardiac imaging for diagnosis of myocardial infarction
Echocardiogram
Angiogram + PTCA (percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty)
Nuclear imaging (Tc-99m)
List ECG changes associated with myocardial infarction
New ischemia:
- ST elevation in any leads (e.g. II, III, aVF for inferior infarct, V2-V6 for anterior infarct)
- New Pathological Q waves: Any Q wave or QS complex in V2-V3
- Hyperacute T waves
- Pseudonormalization of T waves
- Wellen syndrome: Deep inverted/ Biphasic T wave in V2-3
- ST elevation in aVR: left main stem occlusion
Causes of false positive ST- elevation
Electrical dysfunctions Metabolic disturbances (e.g. hyperkalemia)
Cardiac disease:
Peri-/myocarditis
Benign early repolarization
LBBB
Pre-excitation
Brugada syndrome
LVH with strain pattern
Post- cardioversion
Ventricular apical aneurysm
Acute Infarct/ Hemorrhage:
Pulmonary embolism (e.g. long haul flight)
Subarachnoid hemorrhage
Causes of false-negative ST elevation (check)
Prior Q waves and/or persistent ST- elevation
Paced rhythm
LBBB
Classification of acute myocardial infarction (5 classes)
Types and subtypes of cardiac biomarkers for myocardial infarction **
- CPK (creatinine phosphokinase):
- CK-MB isoenzyme – short half-life and good for detecting reinfarction
- CK-MM – also in skeletal muscle - SGOT (serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase)
- LDH-1 (Lactic dehydrogenase) *
- Troponin T or I **
- Myoglobin **
Compare the timing of cardiac biomarkers after myocardial infarction
Myoglobin = FIRST biomarker, but non-specific and fast elimination
CK-MB = Second, short half-life, good for reinfarction
Troponin T or I = Third, long half-life, more sensitive and specific than CK-MB, good for MI with delayed presentation