Lecture 13: ACS Flashcards
what is thr acute coronary syndrome (ACS)?
A set of three clinical entities with similar pathophysiology: unstable angina pectoris, non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), and ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).
ACS is most commonly caused by…
atherosclerotic coronary artery disease associated with unstable plaques and -in the case of myocardial infarction- plaque rupture.
what are the 2 conditions classified as non-STE ACS?
unstable angina and NSTEMI
what is the pathophysiology of unstable angina?
Partial occlusion of coronary vessel → decreased blood supply → ischemic symptoms (also during rest)
what is the pathophysiology of NSTEMI?
- -classically due to partial occlusion of a coronary artery
- -Affects the inner layer of the heart (subendocardial infarction)
what is the pathophysiology of STEMI?
- -Classically due to complete occlusion of a coronary artery
- -Affects full thickness of the myocardium (transmural infarction)
what is unstable angina?
- -Acute myocardial ischemia that is not severe enough to cause detectable quantities of myocardial injury biomarkers or ST-segment elevations on ECG
- -Rest angina, which is usually more than 20 minutes in duration
- -New-onset angina that markedly limits physical activity
- -Increasing angina that is more frequent, longer in duration, or occurs with less exertion than previous angina
what is the clinical presentation of unstable angina?
- -Angina at rest or with minimal exertion
- -New-onset angina
- -Severe, persistent, and/or worsening angina (crescendo angina)
- -Autonomic symptoms may be present: diaphoresis, syncope, palpitations, nausea, and/or vomiting
what is the acute myocardial infarction (AMI)?
- -detection of a rise and/or fall in cardiac biomarkers, together with evidence of myocardial ischemia with at least one of the following:
- -Symptoms suggestive of ischemia
- -ECG changes of ischemia
- -Development of pathological Q waves
- -Imaging evidence of new loss of viable myocardium or new regional wall motion abnormality on ECHO
AMI is subdivided into…
1) NSTEMI: Acute myocardial ischemia that is severe enough to cause detectable quantities of myocardial injury biomarkers but without ST-segment elevations on ECG
2) STEMI: Acute myocardial ischemia that is severe enough to cause ST-segment elevations on ECG
what are the ECG findings in NSTEMI vs STEMI?
1) Normal or nonspecific (e.g., ST depression, loss of R wave, or T-wave inversion). No ST elevations
2) ST elevations (in two contiguous leads) or new left bundle branch block (ST elevations can be masked by a LBBB. Therefore, a LBBB with typical MI symptoms is diagnosed as STEMI.)
what is the treatment of NSTEMI vs STEMI?
1)Anticoagulation, aspirin, ADP receptor inhibitor
Invasive management depends on risk stratification (TIMI score).
2)Immediate revascularization. Anticoagulation, aspirin, ADP receptor inhibitor
partial vs complete coronary artery occlusion?
1) Decreased myocardial blood flow → supply-demand mismatch → myocardial ischemia
- -Usually affects the inner layer of the myocardium (subendocardial infarction)
- -Typically manifests clinically as unstable angina and/or NSTEMI
2) Impaired myocardial blood flow → sudden death of myocardial cells (if no reperfusion occurs)
- -Usually affects the full thickness of the myocardium (transmural infarction)
- -Typically manifests clinically as STEMI
why subendocardium is most affected?
Blood supply of the cardiac muscle extends from the outer to the inner heart. As a result, the inner layer is the least perfused and most affected.
stable vs unstable atherosclerotic plaque?
- -Stable atherosclerotic plaque: manifests as stable angina (symptomatic during exertion)
- -Unstable plaques are lipid-rich and covered by thin fibrous caps → high risk of rupture
- -Inflammatory cells in the plaque (e.g., macrophages) secrete matrix metalloproteinases → breakdown of extracellular matrix → weakening of the fibrous cap → minor stress → rupture of the fibrous cap → exposure of highly thrombogenic lipid core → thrombus formation → coronary artery occlusion
how AMS is diagnosed?
- -Cardiac chest pain
- -Abnormal ECG
- -Elevated Biomarkers, troponin
what is the epidemiology of ACS?
- -Most common cause of death in Ireland.
- -Approximately, 5,000 people die in Ireland per year following an acute myocardial infarction
- -Acute MI is the leading cause of death in North America and Europe
- -24 people are estimated to have MI in the US over the next hour (duration of this lecture)
- -Incidence
1) ∼ 1.5 million cases of myocardial infarction per year in the US
2) ♂ > ♀ (3:1)
what are the non-modifiable risk factors of ACS?
- -Age
- -Gender
- -Family History
- -Race
what are the modifiable risk factors of ACS?
- -Hypertension
- -Smoking
- -Cholesterol
- -Obesity
- -Lack of fitness
- -Diet
- -Alcohol
- -Diabetes
- -Psychosocial factors
what is the role of homocysteine in atherosclerosis?
- -An intermediate molecule that is derived from the amino acid methionine. Can be converted into cystathionine (requires vitamin B6), which is then converted into the amino acid cysteine, or it can be recycled back into methionine (requires folate and vitamin B12). High levels of homocysteine cause.
- -Hyperhomocysteinemia
1) Changes in thrombomodulin function are due to increased activation of factor VIIa and V, inhibition of protein C, increased blood viscosity, and decreased endothelial antithrombotic activity.
2) Homocysteine levels are elevated in patients with vitamin B6 deficiency and mutations in enzymes that metabolize homocysteine (autosomal recessive).
Risk of Coronary Artery Disease Increases with Multiple Risk Factors. Examples…
–Systolic blood pressure (>160 mm Hg)
–Total Cholesterol (>6.5 mg/dL)
–HDL cholesterol (<1mmol/L)
–Diabetes
–Smoking
–Left ventricular hypertrophy confirmed by ECG
As reported in the Framingham Heart Study, the likelihood of coronary events is increased by the presence of multiple independent risk factors, such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, cigarette smoking, and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH).
what are the signs and symptoms of ACS?
–Classically, severe crushing central chest pain described as squeezing or constricting sensation
–Often described as discomfort rather than pain
In some cases, the patient cannot qualify the nature of the discomfort but places his or her clenched fist in the centre of the chest - “Levine sign“
–Frequently radiates to the left arm or jaw
–Pain is typically quite severe, usually lasting more than 10 minutes
–Pain may be gradual in onset and fluctuate in intensity
–Exacerbation with exercise and relief with rest or GTN spray
what is the Levine sign?
In some cases, the patient cannot qualify the nature of the discomfort but places his or her clenched fist in the centre of the chest
describe the pain of ACS
- -Typically described as dull, squeezing pressure and/or tightness
- -Commonly radiates to left chest, arm, shoulder, neck, jaw, and/or epigastrium
- -Precipitated by exertion or stress
- -The peak time of occurrence is usually in the morning (8–11 a.m.).
pain in ACS commonly radiates to right shoulder. T/F
F
Commonly radiates to left chest, arm, shoulder, neck, jaw, and/or epigastrium
at what time is the peak occurrence of pain in ACS?
The peak time of occurrence is usually in the morning (8–11 a.m.).
what are other symptoms of ACS except for pain?
- -Dyspnea (especially with exertion)
- -Pallor
- -Nausea, vomiting
- -Diaphoresis, anxiety
- -Dizziness, lightheadedness, syncope
what are other findings in ACS?
- -Tachycardia, arrhythmias
- -Symptoms of CHF (e.g., orthopnea, pulmonary edema) or cardiogenic shock (e.g., hypotension, tachycardia, cold extremities)
- -New heart murmur on auscultation (e.g., new S4)
what are the findings Specific to inferior wall infarction
- -Epigastric pain
- -Bradycardia
- -Clear lung fields
why inferior wall MI can cause bradycardia?
Inferior wall infarction is usually caused by obstruction of the right coronary artery (RCA). The RCA also supplies the conduction system of the heart (sinus and atrioventricular nodes, bundle of His), which is why arrhythmia occurs when there is ischemia in the area it supplies.
what are the atypical symptoms of MI?
- -minimal to no chest pain
1) More likely in elderly, diabetic individuals, and women
2) Autonomic symptoms (e.g., nausea, diaphoresis) are often the chief complaint.
3) In patients with diabetes, chest pain may be completely absent (e.g., silent MI) due to polyneuropathy.
which patients are more prone to the atypical presentation of ACS?
- -Diabetics, Elderly, Post-Op patients may have silent infarcts or very atypical symptoms
- -older patients, diabetics, and women are more likely to present with symptoms such as dyspnoea, weakness, nausea and vomiting, palpitations, and syncope
- -Inferior wall infarcts may present with gastrointestinal symptoms
what are the other important points in history-taking of ACS
1) Establish the patients’ risk factors for coronary artery disease
2) Consider the possibility of cocaine use as a cause of vasospasm in younger patients
3) Ask screening questions which reveal symptoms that suggest vascular disease elsewhere
- -Do you get pain in your calf muscles on walking?
- -Have you ever had an episode of face, arm or leg weakness?
- -Have you ever noticed your speech was slurred or garbled?
- -Have you ever experienced a sudden change in your vision?
what condition should always be considered as a cause of ACS in young patients?
Cocaine use
what are the features suggesting non-cardiac chest pain?
- -Pleuritic pain-worse with movement and inspiration
- -Pain in the mid or lower abdominal region
- -Any discomfort localized with one finger
- -Any discomfort reproduced by movement or palpation
- -Constant pain lasting for days
- -Fleeting pains lasting for a few seconds or less
- -Pain radiating into the lower extremities or above the mandible
what are the cardiovascular examination signs in ACS suggesting heart failure?
1) Raised JVP
2) Third heart sound
3) Bibasal crepitations
4) Pulsatile tender liver
5) Bilateral lower limb edema
what are the cardiovascular examination signs in ACS suggesting cardiogenic shock??
- -Hypotension
- -Tachycardia
- -Impaired cognition
- -Cool, clammy skin
- -Pale, ashen skin
what are the cardiovascular examination signs in ACS suggesting mechanical complications???
Murmurs: VSD, MR
what are the cardiovascular examination signs in ACS suggesting vascular disease???
- -Listen for carotid bruit
- -Palpate the abdomen for AAA
- -Assess peripheral pulses
what are other coronary pathologies that should be differentiated from ACS?
- -Coronary spasm – Prinzmetal angina-rare
- -Coronary dissection or embolism
- -Cocaine
- -Stress broken heart syndrome (Takostubo’s syndrome)
what is the Takotsubo synrome?
A condition of acute, stress-induced, reversible dysfunction and apical balloooning of the left ventricle. Symptoms resemble those of acute coronary syndrome but often resolve spontaneously.
–emotional/physical stress → massive catecholamine discharge → cardiotoxicity, multi-vessel spasms and dysfunction → myocardial stunning