Med 1 Flashcards
What is an aneurysm
•Permanent + irreversible dilation of blood vessel. Abdominal or thoracic. Dilation of all 3 layers of arterial wall. Usually asymptomatic.
SYmptoms and signs of a TAA
• Pain (severe sharp back/intrascapular), aortic regurg, systemic symptoms (eg fever if infective cause), thrombo-embolic presentation (DIC), symptoms of compression of local structures )hoarseness, cough, stridor, back pain). If dissection then the severe pain may migrate, inequal upperlimb pulses. If ruptured acute pain, collapse, shock or sudden death.
Physiology of TAA
•Probably inflammation, proteolysis, reduced survival of smooth muscle cells in aortic wall and when reached a diameter, it looses all distensibility so rise in BP can exceed arterial wall strength and may trigger dissection or rupture.
What are causes and RFs of a TAA
- Causes = genetic, CT tissue disorders (Marfan’s, Ehler’s Danlos), infections (HI), aortitis, trauma
- RFs = hypertension, increasing age, smoking, aortic valves, atherosclerosis, COPD, CKD, previous AA repair, Turner syndrome . Marfans – structural weakness in wall of aorta
IX and management for TAA
- Ix = Non acute is bloods, ECG, lung function, US, CT/MRI, coronary angiography. Acute is bloods, ECG, CT with contrast, MRI
- Surveillance, repair, replace
- Complications – dissection, rupture, AV regurg
- Surgery:Immediate(ruptured, acute symptoms), symptomatic 9regardless size), asymptomatic (>5.5cm ascending or ?6cm descending or risk of expansion big
WHat are the types/causes of chest pain
- Ischaemic cardic pain = stable angina, ACS, hypertorphic cardiomyopathy, aortic stenosis…
- Non-ischaemic cardiac = arrhythmias, aortic dissection/aneurysm, mitral valve disease
- Respiratory = pneumothorax, PE, Pneumonia, oleurisy, lung cancer.
- MSK = costochondritis , trauma, rib pain
- Breast disease / Skin – herpes zoster infection . Others – sickle cell crisis, diabetea mononeuritis
- GI = GORD, Oesophageal rupture/spasm, peptic ulcer disease, pancreatiis
- Psychological = anxiety, depression, panic disorder
Investigatiobs for chest pain
ECG, CXR, ABG, Bloods, repeat ECG/enzymes, ECHO/ETT.MPS.CTCA/Angiography/MRI, exam
What is the patho of a wheeze
•whistling sound as air passes through a narrowed airway and stops oxygen getting into bloodstream effectively so causes SOB and some chest tightness.
What causes a wheeze
- Asthma – bronchospasm. Cough, wheeze, breathless, chest tightness
- COPD – Chronic bronchitis (inflamm airways), and emphysema (damage to alveoli) mainly form smokinh
- Bronchiectasis – abnormal widening of one or more airways, extra mucus made, prone to infection, cough with sputum and possible blood.
- Bronchiolitis – infection of bronchioles, by RSV
- Inhaled objects (block bronchi), other infections, lung cancer, lung disorders
What is the pathophysiology of breathlessness
•= Body needs more oxygen so try breathe faster to increase flow of air into lungs which then goes into bloodstream and pumped round the body by the heart.
WHta are the respiratory and non respiratory causes of breathlessness
- Respiratory: Airways (COPD, bronchiectasis), Tissue (interstitial lung disease), Perfusion (V/Q mismatch), PE, PA hypertension and other.
- Non-respiratory: Hypoxia related (anaemia, HF, MI), compensatory (acidosis, anxiety)
What are the Types of Hypoxia
•Types Hypoxia: Hypoxic (not enough O2 getting in blood eg, high altitude), Anaemic(insufficient Hb), stagnant (o2 in blood ineffectively circulated, histotoxic (cells cant use sufficient O2)
What is hyperventilation
•= rate or tidal volume breathing eliminates more CO2 than body can produce. Caused by psychological stress, anxiety, head injury, resp disease, cv disease, acidosis. Might also get heart palpitations, numbness, dizziness.
What is cyanosis and the two types
•= blue discolouration skin/mucous membranes form low o2. Central (resp, CV, CNS) or peripheral (reduced CO, hypothermia)
Oxygen Therapy - basic options and target sats
- Oxygen therapy: Mostly should be 94-98% but those at risk of hypercapnic respiratory failure (Eg COPD) needed 88-92% as chronic CO2 retainer so less sensitive response to CO2 and need hypoxic drive.
- Nasal cannula up to 4L, Venturi mask (controlled), simple mask (highly variable 1-15L O2), non re-breathe mask (high percentage O2) 10L/15L
What is COPD?
•COPD =
- Airflow limitation + destruction of lung parenchyma. Increased mucus secreting goblet cells in bronchial mucosa and bronchi can become overly inflamed with pus in lumen.
- Decreased mucociliary clearance so increased risk resp infections and need abs and routine vaccinations.
- Microscopic – inflammation, scarring thickening of walls airways, loss elastic recoil, V/Q mismatch
RFs of COPD
•RF = Smoking (over distention of lungs as loss surfactant), Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (inhibits proteolytic enzymes which can destroy alveolar wall CT)
Symptoms and Signs of COPD
- Symptoms = Productive cough with white or clear sputum, wheeze, breathlessness usuallya ftermany years of smokers cough. Colds settle on chest, can have hypertension, osteoporosis, depression, weight loss, reduced muscle mass.
- Signs = May be none or quiet wheezes through chest and in severe then tachypneic with prolonged expiration and accessory muscles, hyperinflated lungs. HF/oedema are terminal events and respiratory failure.
- Pulm Hypertension – cor pulmonale in advanced copd (sign of fluid overload secondary to lung fisease) and RV hypertrophy.
- FEV1<70
Invetsigations for COPD
•Ix = lung function tests (FEV1:FVC reduced), CXR (flattened diaphragms), high res CT, Hb level, packed cell vol (can be elevated), blood gas, sputum exam, ECG normal, ECHO, a1 antitrypsin level
Management of COPD
•Mx = Reg ass lung function -> smoking cessation -> pneumococcal and annual influenza vacc -> SABA bronchodilator for acute relief, LABA -> add in muscarinic bronchodilator -> consider theophylline or Combo ICS + LABA -> Pulm rehab -> eval+ treatment of hypoxaemia -> lung reduction surgery/ transplany.
Pathology of Ischaemia heart disease
- Atheroma: endothelial dysfunction -> monocyte adhesion/emigration, smooth muscle cell migration to intima, smooth muscle cell migration to intima and proliferation, ECM elaboration, lipid accumulation, inflammation, plaque growth.
- Patho: Coronary arteries become blocked with atheroma.
Symptoms of Ischaemic heart disease
•Symptoms = Chest pain (Angina/HA, central crushing), breathless, tired, dizzy palpitations
RFs of Ischaemic heart disease
- Diabetes – High blood glucose can damage blood vessels and the nerves that control your heart and blood vessels and over time this can lead to heart disease
- Obesity – Fatty material builds up in arteries and this can lead to heart attack.
- High LDL + triglycerides and low HDL linked to heart disease
- HBP (make arteries less elastic, decrease flow blood + o2 to heart and hear disease.
- smoking FH heart disease, inactivity
Invetsigations for Ischaemic heart disease
•Specialist IX= CT with contrast. Coronary angiogram if blockage then angioplasty
Complications of Ischaemic heart disease
•Complication -> ACS ( Unstable angina, NSTEMI, STEMI)
Stable Angina - what is it and how does it occur?
•Stable angina= (fixed atherosclerotic plaque)-> unstable plaque with platelet aggregation (unstable angina) -> plaque ruptures (thrombus which is NSTEMI and STEMI)
What are the signs + symptoms stable angina
•S/S = breathless, chest pain, nausea, ehart murmurs, sweaty, fever, acute confusion, syncope…
Invetsigations for stable angina and the scorign system
- Ix = bedside (obs, ECG, BM), bloods (routine + cardiac enzymes, amylase), image (CXR), Special (ECHO, Angiography)
- TIMI scoring = risk cardiac events in next 30 days. Age>65, known CAD, aspirin in last 7/7,s evere angina (>2hrs in 24hrs), ST deviation>1mm, elevated torponins, >CAD RFS
Acute coornary syndrome - what makes up this and the general management
- Unstable angina, NSTEMI, STEMI
- MX = MONAC: •Morphine (5-10mg slow IV injection), Oxygen, Nitrate (GTN spray), Apsirin (300mg chewed), Clopidogrel (or fondaparinx etc and antiemetic).
What is heart failure
- HF = Complex syndrome that can result form any structural or functional cardiac disorder that impairs the ability of the heart to function as a pump to support physiological circulation. Decreased CO, increased venous congestion so increased afterload/preload and increased cardiac work.
- CO = MAP/TPR
Causes and RFs of HF
- Causes: Mainly ischaemic heart disease, cardiomyopathy (dilated- many caused like infection, infiltrative) + hypertension. Also get valvular heart disease (endoc, degenerate, congenital). RHF (RV infarct, pulmonary hypertension, PE, COPD),
- RFs = Age >65 (weaker, stiffer heart), FH, genetics, lifestyle, medical conditions, race, sex (men at younger)
Symptoms/Signs of HF
- Symptoms – Exertional dyspnea, orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea, fatigue. Oedema (cant pump blood effectively so backs up causing oedema).
- Signs – Tachycardia, elevated JVP, cardiomegaly, 3/4h heart sounds, bi-basal crackles, pleural effusion, peripheral ankle oedema, ascites, tender hepatomegaly
- NY Heart Association classification = I (no limitation), II (marked L- fine rest, nroml activity produce fatigue), III (marked L – gentle PA produced marked symptoms), IV (HF symptoms at rest then exacerbated).
- HR-REF (Symptoms, signs, reduced LV ejection), HR-PEF (S/S, normal/mildy reduced LV ejection fraction, no LV dilation, relevant structure disease + diastole dysfunction)
Invetsigations for heart failure
•Ix = Bloods, CXR, ECG, ECHO, nuclear cardio, cardiac MRI, cardiac cath, cardiac biopsy, CP exercise test, 24h ECG.
NP ProBNP in HF and referrall criteria
•NTProBNP = >2000 urgent specialist ass within 2w, >4000, further assessment CXR,12LECG, ECHO
Heart fialure effect on sodium
•Patients with heart failure may exhibit hyponatremia due to a decrease in water excretion, which may be related to the enhanced release of both angiotensin and vasopressin and can be exaggerated by diuretic therapy. Along with potassium and calcium, magnesium influences cardiovascular function.
Cardiomyopathy - the Types
- Dilated cardiomyopathy = LV enlarged, cant effectively pump blood out of heart, mostly middle aged men from CAD/MI and genetic defects
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy = Abnormal thickening of heart muscle so harder for heart to work. Mostly affects LV. More severe if childhood, often FH.
- Restrictive cardiomyopathy = Heart muscle becomes stiff and less flexible so cant expand and fill with blood between heartbeat. Least common, often in older and can be idiopathic or from amyloidosis.
- Arrhythmogenic RV dysplasia = rare, RV muscle replaced by scar tissue so hert rhythm problems, often genetic mutations.
Presentation of cardiomyopathy
•Breathless, swelling legs/ankles/feet, bloating abdo from fluid, cough when lying down, difficulty lying flat to sleep, fatigue, heartbeats feel rapid/pounding/fluttering, chest discomfort or pressure, dizziness/lightheadedness/fainting
RFs of cardiomyopathy
•RF = FH, long term HBP, Conditions affecting heart, long term lcohol abuse, obesity, drugs, cemo drugs, diseases like diabetes/amyloidosis/Ct disorder etc.
Complicatiosn of cardiac myopathy
•Complications = HF, blood clots, heart valve problems, cardiac arrest, sudden death
Dx of cardiomyopathy
•Diagnosis = CXR, ECG, ECHO, treadmill stress test, cardiac catheterisation, cardiac MRI, Cardiac CT, bloods, genetic testing or screening
Treatment of cardiomyopathy
•Tx = Manage S/S, prevent worsening, meds to improve heart pumping/blood flow, lower BP, remove extra fluid, prevent blood clots. Therapies (septal ablation, radiofrequency alation). Surgery (Implantable cardioverter defib, ventricular assist device, pacemakers. Septal myectomy heart transplant.
How do to BLS
Valvular Heart Disease - wat is it and what causes it?
•Valvular heart disease = any heart valve damage or diseased. They become leaky and cause regurgitation and not enough blood can be pushed forward through the heart.
•Causes:
- Rheumatic Heart disease – after infection form bacteria that causes strep throat is not treated with Ab. Can causing scarring of heart
- Endocarditis – infection of endocardium caused by severe infeciton in bloods
- Congenital heart disease 0 malformations e, missing a leaflet
- Heart disease- HF, Atherscleroisis, TAA, HBP, MI
- Marfans syndrome, autoimmune (like lupus), high dose radiation exposure, ageing.
Symptoms of valvular heart disease
•Symptoms = SOB, chest pain, fatigue, dizziness or fainting, fever, rapid weight gain, irregular heartbeat.
Dx od valvular heart disease
•Dx – listen to heart (Murmurs), and ECHO.
Treatment of valvular heartd disease
•If not severe then medicines to treat symptoms. If more serious then surgery such as replacement in open heart surgery or not open heart.
Why does CT disease lead to valvular heart disease
•CT disease – Marfan syndrome leads you to be at an increased risk of heart valve disease due to structural weakness in the wall of aorta. Also more at risk of aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection.
How can muscular dystorphies lead to repsiratory failure
•Muscular dystrophies can lead to respiratory failure due to inability of respiratory system to provide proper oxygenation and CO2 elimination.
What is pharmacogenetics
•Pharmacogenetics = Study of how genes affect a personsresponse to drugs. Combines pharmacology and genomics to develop effective, safe medications and doses that will be tailored to persons genetic makeup
What is gastroenteritis and what can be a cause/RF
- Gastroenteritis – non specific term used to describe condition where combination of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain.
- Causes- Viral, bacterial, parasitic pathogens
- RFs – Poor personal hygiene and lack of sanitation, compromised immune system, achlorhydia, poor cooked food, travelling.
Presentaiton of gastroenteritis
•– incubation for viruses usually day, for bacterial dysentery few hours to 4days and parasites can be 7-10days. In this country usually rotavirus but norovirus is known as winter vomiting bug. Blood diarrhea espect bacterial, esp E.Coli 0157.
How to asses and investigate gastroenteritis
- Ass – temp, BP, pulse, RR, abdo exam to exclude other, assess for dehydration. Can range form mild (lightheaded, anorexia) to severe (weaknes,s confusion, shock)
- Ix – stool culture (unwell, blood, mucus, suspected food poisoning, recent Abs/PP, hospital admission, been abroad, recurrent diarrhea not improving, uncertain about diagnosis). Bloods for unwell etc
Treatment gastroenteritis
•Tx – advice on preventing dehydration, leaflets, NOT drug treatment with antidiarrheal/antiemetics (not usually recommended nor Abs). Hygiene advice, don’t attend work until 48horus after lats episode.
CV compensatory mechanisms in anaemia
- CV compensatory mechanisms = Tachycardia, increase CO, hyperdynamic state due to reduced blood viscosity and vasodilation to enable tissue perfusion.
- Anaemia leads to tiredness and breathlessness
Pneumococcal vaccine
•Pneumococcal vaccine – protects against pneumococcal infections caused by bacterium streptococcus pneumonia which can lead to pneumonia, blood poisoning (sepsis) and meningitis. For those higher risk so babies, 65+, long term health conditions. Inactivated
TB Vaccine
•TB vaccine – BCG vaccine – For babies up to 1year where TB rates high, close relatives in a country with high rate or close contact of someone infectious. Also 16 and under for similar reasons. For adults its 16-35 when high risk from work. Small scar. Weakened strain Tb bacteria.
How is HIV transmitted
•Transmission = sexual, perinatal, blood transfusion, sharing needles, occupational
SYmptoms of HIV
- Most infectious shortly after infection and many unaware till later stages
- First few weeks after infection – influenza like illnesss (fever, headache, rash, sore throat),seroconversion illness
- As infection progressively weakens immune system – swollen lymph nodes, weight loss, fever, diarrhea, cough
- Without treatment – risk severe illness like TB, cyptococcal meningitis, severe bacterial infections, lymphomas and Kapoi’s sarcoma.
COmplications and presentations of hIV
- Karposi’s sarcoma – HHV-8, purple/brown lesions/patches on legs, mouth, genitalia
- Oral Hairy leucoplakia – EBV, white patches on tongue can’t be scraped.
- Esophageal candidiasis – white plaques on mucosa, scraped off, pain eating/drinking.
- Cryptosporidium – Protozoan infection through ingestion contaminated water.food. Abdo cramo, diarrhea, weight loss
- Toxoplasmosis – protozoan parasite, commonest cause brain lesion in HIV Fever, seizures
- Shingles – herpes zoster infection. Painful vesicle lesions.
- Pneumocystitis jiroveci pneumonia – dyspnea, fever, malaise alveolar infiltrates on CXR
- Progressive multifocal leukonencephalopathy – from kc virus, muscle control loss, paralysis, blind, speech problems…
- Mycobacterium TB - cough, tired, weight loss, fever, haemoptysis, night sweat. Acid fast bacilli
- CMV – herpes virus. Viral infection that can cause pneumonia, colitis, encephalitis, retinitis
- Ryptococcus neoformans – commonest cause meningitis in hIv people.
Primary immunodeficiency syndromes
- Primary immunodeficiency syndromes: Mostly inherited single gene disorder that present in infancy/early childhood. B cell/ t cell defects. B cell immunodeficiencies (adaptive) – loss antibody production, severe recurrent bacterial infection risk
- T cell IDs (adaptive) – killing activity disrupted and problems with B cell function
- SCID – complete lack T cells and variable number B cells so little to no immune function.
- Phagocyte disorders (innate) – bacterial and fungal are serious
- Complement defects (innate) – can lead to SLE, RA.
Secondayr immunodeficiency
- Secondary Immunodeficiency – many possible causes. Environmental factors (HIV/AIDS or malnutrition) , in hematological malignancies.
- Malnutrition – t cell numbers + function decrease in proportion to levels protein ef so susceptible to diarrhea an dRTIs
- Drug regiments – immunosuppression
- Chronic infections – AIDS from HIV infection
Presentaiton o immunodeficiency and what to ceck in history
- Presentation: frequent infections (opportunistic, severe/persistent bacterial, common gI symptoms. Neuro problems, autoimmune problems
- History – check FH, RFs, history adverse reactions, previous antibiotic prescriptions.
What is a lympoproliferative disorder
•Lymphoproliferative disorders = uncontrolled production lymphocytes that cause monoclonal lymphocytosis, lymphadenopathy and bone marrow infiltration. Often in immunocompromised.
how is malaria transmitted and the incubation period
- Transmission – bite infected by female mosquito. Lifestyle has blood and liver stages.
- Incubation period 7-30days
Early symptoms of malaria and the complciations
- Early symptoms – fever, chills, sweats, headaches, muscle pains, nausea, vomiting.
- Severe malaria/complciations – primary by plasmodium falciparum. Confusion, coma, neurological focal signs, severe anaemia, resp failure. RFs are <5, pregnancy, low endemic area travelers.
5 species of mosquito
•5 species = Plasmodium falciparum (highest mortality rate) plasmodium ovale (latent liver stage), Plasmodium vivax (latent liver stage), Plasmodium malariae not latent stage, but can persist for 30days), plasmodium knowlesi (only species with animal reservoir).
Diganosis malaria
– demonstration parasites on blood film or detection of antigens using immunochromatographic tests.
Treatment malaria and prevention
- = depends on severity, species, likelihood resistance.
- Severe – IV artesunate
- Non-severe – options include ACT, quinine, chloroquine, doxycycline. P vivax and P ovale – need to treat latent liver stage to prevent relapse (primaquine)
- Prevention – Anti-malaria prophylaxis, insecticide treated bed nets, long clothes + insecticides, residual indoor spraying, larvicidal agents, intermittent preventative therapy. New is vaccination
What is sinus rhythm
Signal originates SA node -> depolarize R/L atrium -> reaches AV node + pass to ventricles -> travels from HIS bundle to L/R bundle branches into purkinje fibres.
What does each part represent on this ECG
What is First degree AV block?
= impulses take longer to pass through AV node. Prolonged PR interval >200ms. One P wave for every QRS
What is second degree AV block
- AV node intermittently fails to conduct impulses. Not every P wave produces a QRS. Two types:
- Mobitz I (Wenkebach) = AV node does not recover fully following conduction of impulse. PR interval prolongs gradually. Eventually QRS dropped as AV node unable to conduct
- Mobitz II = AV node unable to conduct impulses at regular interval, normally 2:1, also can be 3:1, 4:1 Etc.
What is third degree AV block
•Third Degree AV Block = Complete heart block, the AV node is unable to conduct impulses from the atria. No relationship between P waves and QRS complexes.
Why might the ST segment be elevated and why might it be depresseed
- ST elevation – Acute MI, coronary vasospasm, pericarditis, benign early repolarization, LBBB, LV hypertrophy…
- ST depression – MI/NSTEMI, reciprocal change in STEMI (posterior MI), digoxin effect, hypokalaemia, SVT, RBBB, RV hypertrophy.
4 main phases in cardiac cycle
Cardiac cycle:
- Ventricular filling – Ventricular diastole, atrial systole
- Isovolumetric contraction – ventricular systole
- Ventricular ejection – ventricular systole
- Isovolumetric relaxation
What is atrial fibrillation
• Irregularly irregular QRS rhythm (can have fast or slow ventricular response), no clear P waves. Need amiodarone, cardioversion, anticoag. Chaotic rhythm in atrium, microcirucits so bombardments of AV node hence irregular rhythm. Not constant as around AV node is refractor period (cells recovering) and atria cant contract in coordinated manner hence no PV wave.
Atrial fibrillation
Atrial flutter
Invetsigations of AFib
•After ECG then History + CV exam, pulse + BP (manual), FBC, coag profile, renal function + electrolytes (potassium, calcium, magnesium), thyroid and liver function, CXR, ECHO
Types of AFib and causes
- Types/Definitions: First diagnosed, paroxysmal (<7days), persistent (>7days), long standing (>12m), permanent (accepted by patient and physician.)
- Causes – Surgical sieve. CV (hypertension, valvular hear disease, CAD), Resp (infection, PE, COPD), metabolic (thyroid, autonomic), other (sepsis).
Causes of AFib
•Surgical sieve. CV (hypertension, valvular hear disease, CAD), Resp (infection, PE, COPD), metabolic (thyroid, autonomic), other (sepsis).
How to decrease stroke risk with AFib and what do we use to estimate the risk
NOACs (for stroke risk), Vitamin K antagonist (Warfarin) aim INR 2-3, LMWH.
SYmptoms of AFib
•most-> least common) – palpitations, breathless on exertion, light-headed, breathless on rest, chest tightness, syncope. Check if hemodynamically stable
Management Atrial Fibrillation
•Mx: Thromboembolic Risk assessment. Rate vs rhythm control. B, blockers, CCB, digoxin. Cardioversion (if <48hrs otherwise give anticoag first). Amiodarone.
Describe Atrial flutter and what causes it
- Saw tooth pattern irregularly regular. Short circuit in the heart causes atria to pump rapidly. Managed the same as atrial flutter.
- Re-entrant circuit in the LA or RA. Atrial rate about 300bpm. Ventricular rate can be regular or irregular.
- Causes - Surgical sieve. CV (hypertension, valvular hear disease, CAD), Resp (infection, PE, COPD), metabolic (thyroid, autonomic), other (sepsis).
- Risk of clot formation like atrial fibrillation
WHat is broad complex tachycardia and what are the causes
Broad complex Tachycardia – 3 or more successive beats at >120bpm. AV dissociation. QRS >120ms, ventricular rate >120bpm. Can be monomorphic or polymorphic. Concordance of the chest leads. Can be sustained >30secs. Potentially life threatening and can quickly degenerate into VF. Causes include LQT, Electrolyte disturbances, cardiomyopathy, acute MI, IHD. Include VT and VF below. Need drugs, cardioversion and pacing.
Ventricular Tachycardia and the consequences
•Broad complex tachycardia originating in the ventricles. May impair cardiac output with consequent hypotension, collapse and acute cardiac failure. This is due to extreme heart rates and lack of coordinated atrial contraction. Decreased CO may result in decreased myocardial.
Describe Ventricular fibrillation
•Most important shockable cardiac arrets rhythm. Ventricles suddenly attempt to contract at rates up to 500bpm. This rapid and irregular electrical activity renders the ventricles unable to contract in a synchronized manner, resulting in immediate loss of cardiac output. The heart is no longer an effective pump and is reduced to a quivering mess.
Descrieb Atrial tachycardia
•– depolarization of atrial form ectopic focus. Rate between 120-200bpm. Can have AV block.
What are atrial ectopics
• (Atrial Extrasystoles), Supraventricular extrasystoles (SVE), atrial premature beats (APB). A pwave earlier than expected usually with a QRS following. Can sometimes flal in refractory period, resulting in no QRS.
What are ventricular ectopics
•An early broad QRS without preceding P wave (P wave can follow QRS if VA conduction occurs). Can be unifocal or multifocal. Can be single or more frequent (Couplets/triplets/salvo, bigeminy, trigeminy). Also known as ventricular extrasystole, premature ventricular beats.
What can a broad QRS complex idnicate and hwo to distinguish between the differentials
- Left bundle branch block: Broad QRS>120 dominant QS/Rs in . Broad dominant RsR in V7. V1 neg has to be LBBB
- Right bundle branch block: Broad QRS>120 dominant R wave in V1 and Slurred S wav in V6. V1 positive has to be RBBB
- Cant really analyze T waves and ST segment with BBB as this masksproblems
- With axis deviation look at axes on ECG written which should be -30 to +90.
What is a STEMI and what does it look like on an ECG
•ST Elevation MI (STEMI): Due to area of cardiac muscle having reduced flow of blood leading to necrosis. After the MI Q waves and T wave inversion can normally be seen in the region. Patient symptoms and troponin levels.
On an ECG and leads etc what areas do they correspond to
Describe NSTEMI and the appearance on an ECG
•NonST Elevation MI (NSTEMI): Necrosis of cardiac muscle in the absence of ST elevation with elevation of cardiac markers. Blood test for Troponin levels. ST depression/ T wave inversion on ECG. Patient symptoms (SOB, tightnes,s pain, dizzy, sweating, lightheaded, grey, clammy etc)
What is ischaemia and how does it typically show on an ECG
•Ischaemia: Reduced flow in coronary arteries. Eg, stable to unstable angina. Can be treated with GTN spray to help dilate the artery and increase blood flow. Shows typically as ST depression/T wave inversion on ECG.
WHat is meningitis and the msot common pathogens
- Meningitis = inflammation of the tissues around the brain.
- Most common = Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus). Less common are Strep penumoniae, Hib, E.Coli
- Viral meningitis – more common and complication of various viral illness and less severe than bacterial.
- Rare causes – fungal/TB.
What are the symptoms of meningitis
•Symptoms = Often develops quickly.
- Common early warning symptoms – generally unwell, leg pains, cold hands/feet, pale colouraround lips.
- Rash. In meningococcal. Red/urple, small blotchy dots. Do not fade under pressure. Also sign sepsis.
- Other symptoms (babies) – excessive crying, fats breathing, high temp, wont take feedsmirritable, drowsiness, bulging fonanelle.
- Older children/adults – High temp, shivering, stiff neck, headache, fast breathing, aches/pains, pale or blotchy or blue skin, photophobia, drowsiness or confusion, repeated vomiting
What is the diagnosis for meningitis
•Dx = Bloods, lumbar puncture, CT/MRI,
Treatment for meningitis, the prveention and process for contacts
•Tx =
- Bacterial – antibiotic injections. Fluids, O2, possible steroid injections, ICU. Complications are hearign loss, learning problems, epilepsy, kidney problems, joint or bone problems
- Viral – antibiotics when cause not known but when know viral then stop Ab and let body clear it. Most make full recovery.
•Prevention – meningitis vaccine and immunization (Hib, GB/C meningococcus, pneumococcus, mumps.
•Contacts – increased risk (household or intimate kissing within 7days). Short course Abs to prevent possible infections and also offer GC meningococcus.
Describe the symptoms of UTI/Cystitis
•Pain during urination, increased need to urinate and blood in urine. Urine may also be cloudy and/or smeloy with possible pain in tummy and more tired. Drink water and if don’t go away Abs.
What are the common symptoms of skin infections, and some common examples
•Skin infections: Swelling, redness, heat then pain and pus or weeping from the wound.
- Impetigo – affects epidermis, mostly in children (honey crusted lesions around mouth)
- Cellulitis – dermis + subcutaneous tissue in uclers or surgical wounds.
- MRSA superbug on small score on skin and can spread.
Common repsiratory infections and symptomd
•Respiratory infections: Coughs/colds, pneumonia (cough, thick mucus, rapid HR, fever, breathless, sweat, shiver, chets pain).
What are common symtpoms of STIs
: Chalmydia, Gonorrhea, mycoplasma genitalium, syphilis, bacterial vaginosis and pelvic inflammatory disease.
Abdo pain, bleeding between periods, fever sores, painful intercourse, painful urination, pus like discharge, swelling or tenderness of vulva, anal itching, painful bowel movements
What are the 4 main causes of infection
- Bacteria – 1 of 3 domains of taxonomy. Single celled organisms with phospholipid bilayer membranes. Only tiny subset infect humans.
- Fungi - on of the 5 kingdoms of eukaryotes. Usually divided to moulds vs yeasts.
- Viruses – Non-cellular, replicate inside living cells of cellular organism.
- Parasites – loose term covering various non-closely related, multicellular organisms.