Medicine - Cardiology Flashcards
Recall 2 observations about a person’s pulse that may be seen if they have aortic stenosis vs aortic regurgitation
Aortic stenosis: NARROW pulse pressure, slow rising pulse
Aortic regurgitation: WIDE pulse pressure, ‘waterhammer’ pulse (Corrigan’s pulse)
Pulse pressure = SBP-DBP (eg if BP = 120/80, PP = 40)
Define hypertension
Clinical BP >140/90 mmHg
or
24h BP average >135/85 mmHg
List 4 renal causes of secondary hypertension
Glomerulonephritis
Chronic pyelonephritis
Adult PKD
Renal artery stenosis
List 6 endocrine causes of secondary hypertension
Primary hyperaldosteronism
Phaeochromocytoma
Cushing’s syndrome
Liddle’s syndrome
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
Acromegaly
List 5 other causes of secondary hypertension
Pregnancy
COCP
Coarctation of the aorta
NSAIDS
Glucocorticoids
List 3 symptoms that may be experienced from sever hypertension e.g. 200/120 mmHg
Headaches
Visual disturbance
Seizures
What investigations can be used to detect end-organ damage in hypertension?
Fundoscopy: hypertensive retinopathy
Urine dip: renal disease (cause/ consequence)
ECG: LV hypertrophy/ ischaemic heart disease
What bloods should be performed following hypertension diagnosis?
U+Es: renal disease (cause/ consequence)
HbA1c: co-existing DM
Lipids: co-existing hyperlipidaemia
List 3 common side effects of ACE inhibitors
Cough
Angioedema
Hyperkalaemia
What monitoring requirement applies to ACE inhibitors?
Renal function must be checked 2-3w after initiation due to risk of worsening renal function in patients with renovascular disease
3 side effects of calcium channel blockers
Flushing
Ankle swelling
Headache
MOA of thiazide type diuretics
Inhibit sodium absorption at the beginning of the distal convoluted tubule
3 side effects of thiazide type diuretics
Hyponatraemia
Hypokalaemia
Dehydration
Name 1 side effect of angiotensin II receptor blockers
Hyperkalaemia
How would you describe the heart sounds that are auscultated in aortic stenosis vs regurgitation?
Aortic stenosis = soft S2 +/- S4
Aortic regurgitation = soft S2 +/- S3
What is the difference in cause between an S3 and S4 heart sound?
S3 heart sound is caused by blood filling against a non-compliant ventricle, whereas S4 is blood filling against a compliant ventricle
How can you hear the difference between an S3 and S4 heart sound?
S3 is early diastolic
S4 is late diastolic
What clinical examination findings can help differentiate aortic stenosis caused by valve sclerosis from aortic stenosis caused by HOCM?
In HOCM, the valsalva manoevre increases the volume of the murmur, whereas squatting decreases it
What might a CXR reveal in aortic stenosis?
Left ventricular hypertrophy
Pulmonary oedema
Valve calcification
What is the most useful investigation for assessing the severity of aortic stenosis?
Echo +/- doppler
Recall some general principles of management of heart valve disease
QRISK3 score to stratify risk
Manage risk with a statin (eg atorvastatin) and an antiplatelet (aspirin/ clopidogrel)
Manage coexistent HTN/ angina etc
Recall some indications for open replacement of the aortic valve (rather than cath lab procedure)
Symptomatic
Non-symptomatic with a low EF
Severe undergoing CABG
What does CABG stand for?
Coronary artery bypass graft
What are the 2 main types of artificial aortic valve?
Ball-in-cage
Bileaflet/ tilting disc
Recall some pros and cons of TAVI
Pros: no bypass required, no large scars
Cons: higher risk of stroke compared to open replacement
What is a balloon aortic valvuloplasty
Procedure which stretches the aortic valve to improve symptoms of aortic stenosis
When is the aortic stenosis murmur heard vs aortic regurgitation?
AS: Ejection systolic
AR: Early diastolic
What is an Austin Flint murmur?
‘Rumbling diastolic murmur’
- Associated with severe aortic regurgitation
- Best auscultated in 5th ICS in MCL
- Caused by blood flowing back through the aortic valve and over the mitral valve
When in the heart cycle is an Austin flint murmur heard, and what causes it?
Mid-diastole
Caused by regurgitant jet that runs over the mitral valve leaflets
Which heart murmurs are best heard on expiration?
Left heart murmurs
Where is the aortic regurgitation murmur best auscultated?
Erb’s point - Left 3rd ICS parasternal
Where is the main site of production of BNP?
Left ventricle (not actually brain, as name may suggest)
What is the advantage of measuring NT-proBNP over BNP?
NT-proBNP has a much longer half life as it is inactive - BNP, being an active hormone, has a much shorter half life
What can an echo and doppler be used to determine in cases of aortic regurgitation?
Severity
LV function
Cause
What is the mainstay of medical management for aortic regurgitation (other than managing cardiac risk with statins etc)?
Reduce afterload - can use:
ACE inhibitors (eg enalopril/ captopril)
Beta blockers (bisoprolol etc)
Diuretics (furosemide etc)
Which 2 antihypertensives are contra-indicated in aortic stenosis?
Beta blockers (don’t want to depress LV function)
Nitrates (may precipitate life-thretening hypotension)
Which heart murmur is most associated with atrial fibrillation?
Mitral stenosis
Which of the left heart murmurs will NOT produce a displaced apex beat?
Mitral stenosis (causes atrial hypertrophy not ventricular)
By what mechanism can heart valve disease cause a parasternal heave, and which murmurs can cause this?
Right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) is cause of PSH (RV is most anterior chamber of the heart so can cause heave)
MS and MR can cause RVH - as increased left atrial pressure –> pulmonary HTN –> RVH
Why might the apex beat be displaced in mitral regurgitation?
Left ventricle is pumping the stroke volume AND the regurgitant volume
Differentiate the timing of mitral stenosis and mitral regurgitation
Mitral stenosis is a MID DIAstolic murmur
Mitral regurgitation is a pan SYStolic murmur
Which of the heart murmurs might radiate to the axilla?
Mitral regurgitation
Recall some clinical signs of pulmonary hypertension
Malar flush
Raised JVP
Right ventricular (parasternal) heave
Loud S2
What might be seen on an ECG in mitral valve disease
Atrial fibrillation P mitrale (bifid 'm-shaped' p waves in lead II as well as V1-V6)
What is the mainstay of medical management for mitral stenosis, other than heart disease risk modification eg statins?
RhF prophylaxis with benzylpenicillin
AF (rate control + DOAC)
Diuretics for symptomatic relief
What is the first line surgical treatment for mitral stenosis?
Balloon valvuloplasty
What is the mainstay of medical management for mitral regurgitation (other than managing cardiac risk with statins etc)?
Like AR, reduce afterload - can use:
ACE inhibitors (eg enalopril/ captopril)
Beta blockers (bisoprolol etc)
Diuretics (furosemide etc)
What are the classifications of heart failure based on ejection fraction?
LV EF >50% - preserved = HF-PEF
LV EF 41-49% - mildly reduced = HFmrEF
LV EF <40% - reduced = HFrEF
What are the 3 most common causes of chronic heart failure?
Coronary artery disease
DM
HTN
List 4 cardiac causes of heart failure
Valvular disease e.g. aortic stenosis
Cardiomyopathies
Constrictive pericarditis
Arrhythmias e.g. AF
What is heart failure?
Syndrome with typical Sx (SOB, ankle swelling, fatigue) + signs (elevated JVP, basal crepitations + peripheral oedema)
Give 4 symptoms of chronic heart failure
Breathlessness: exertional, rest, orthopnoea, PND
Fluid retention: ankle swelling, bloating, weight gain
Fatigue: decreased exercise tolerance/ increased recovery time
Lightheadedness/ hx of syncope
Give 3 signs of heart failure on examination
Tachycardia
S3/S4 gallop
Pulsus alternans
Give 3 findings on examination of a patient with left heart failure
Bibasal fine crackles/ rales
Laterally displaced apex beat (cardiomegaly)
Coolness + pallor of lower extremities
Give 5 findings on examination of a patient with right heart failure
Peripheral pitting oedema
Raised JVP
Hepatosplenomegaly
Weight gain due to fluid retention
Anorexia (‘cardiac cachexia’)
Describe briefly the NYHA classifications
- no limitation on activity
- comfortable at rest but dyspnoea on ordinary activity
- marked limitation on ordinary activity
- dyspnoea at rest
What is the first line investigation for heart failure?
NT-proBNP
High (>2000): refer urgently for assessment + TOE within 2w
Raised (>400): refer for assessment + TOE within 6w
What complimentary investigations should be performed in heart failure?
ECG
CXR
Bloods: FBC, U+Es, GFR, TFTs, LFTs, HbA1c + lipids
Urine dip (protein + blood)
Lung function tests: peak flow/ spirometry
Name 3 factors that can cause reduced BNP
Obesity (BMI >35)
Afro-carribbean
Drugs
List 5 drug classes that can reduce BNP
ACEi
B-blockers
ARBs
Aldosterone antagonists
Diuretics
List 11 factors that elevate BNP
Age >70
Sepsis
LV hypertrophy, myocardial ischaemia, tachycardia
RV overload
Hypoxia
Pulmonary HTN
Pulmonary embolism
CKD
COPD
DM
Cirrhosis
Recall the broad approach to medically managing heart failure
BASHeD up by the heart:
Beta blocker: bisoprolol, carvedilol, nebivolol
ACE inhibitor
Spironolactone (2nd line/ Eplerenone)
Hydralazine (+ nitrate): inidicated in afro-carribbean
Digoxin: improves Sx. Indicated if co-existent AF
What third line therapies can be initiated by a specialist in heart failure?
Ivabradine: sinus rhythm, >75 bpm, LVEF <35%
Sacubitril-valsartan: LVEF <35%, following ACEi/ ARB washout period
Which anti-diabetic drug is used in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction?
SGLT-2 inhibitors: Dapaglifozin, Empagliflozin
Reduce glucose reabsorption + increase urinary glucose excretion
Which extra immunisations should be offered in patients with heart failure?
Annual influenza
Pneumococcal
What must be monitored whilst patients are on spironolactone?
Potassium (as is a potassium-sparing diuretic)
Recall some drugs that are contra-indicated in heart failure
Thiozolidinediones (type 2 diabetes)
Verapamil (as is -ve inotrope)
NSAIDs (can cause fluid retention)
Glucocorticoids (can cause fluid retention)
Flecainide (-ve inotrope, arrhythmogenic)
What is high output heart failure?
Where a ‘normal’ heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet metabolic needs
List 6 causes of high output heart failure
Anaemia
AV malformation
Paget’s disease
Pregnancy
Thyrotoxicosis
Thiamine deficiency (wet Beri-Beri)
What is acute heart failure?
Sudden onset / worsening of Sx of HF
No hx HF = de novo AHF
Hx HF = decompensated AHF
What causes de-novo heart failure
Increased cardiac filling pressures + myocardial dysfunction usually as a result of ischaemia
Causes reduced CO + hypoperfusion, this can cause pulmonary oedema
Give 4 common precipitants to decompensated AHF
Acute coronary syndrome
Hypertensive crisis
Acute arrhythmia
Valvular disease
List 3 symptoms of acute heart failure
Breathlessness
Reduced exercise tolerance
Fatigue
List 7 signs of acute heart failure
Cyanosis
Tachycardia
Oedema
Elevated JVP
Displaced apex beat
Chest signs: bibasal crackles + wheeze
S3 heart sound
Describe the diagnostic work up for acute heart failure
Bloods: anaemia, abnormal electrolytes, infection
CXR: pulmonary venous congestion, interstitial oedema, cardiomegaly
Echo
BNP: >100mg/l support dx + indicate myocardial damage
What is recommended for all patients with acute heart failure?
IV Loop diuretics e.g. Furosemide or Bumetanide
+/- O2 to keep sats 94-98%
What management needs to be considered in acute heart failure with hypotension/ cardiogenic shock?
Inotropic agents e.g. Dobutamine
Vasopressor agents e.g. Norepinephrine
Mechanical circulatory assistance e.g. intra-aortic balloon counter pulsation/ ventricular assist devices
How quickly should GTN spray relieve angina pain?
Within 5 mins
What is the first line investigation for angina in stable patients, and what score is this investigation used to calculate?
CT coronary angiography
Calcium score
What are some pharmacological options for preventing angina (NOT symptomatic relief)?
Aspirin (75mg, OD)
Atorvastatin (80mg, ON)
ACE inhibitor (esp. if co-existent DM)
Antihypertensives
What calcium score would be classified as low risk, and what score would be high risk?
Low risk < 100
High risk > 400
What care needs to be taken when prescribing CCBs and BBs together?
If you prescribe a non-dihydropyrimidine CCB (eg verapamil) with a BB it can cause complete heart block
What are some medical options for managing angina symptoms?
1st line: GTN (spray or sublingual) + b-blocker or CCB (if CCB used as monotherapy, use a rate limiting one like verapamil or dilitiazem)
2nd line: GTN + BB AND CCB
3rd line options:
- Long-acting nitrates eg Isosorbide mononitrate
- Ivabradine
What are the 3 types of AF?
Paroxysmal: episodes >30s <7 days (often <48h), self-terminating + recurrent
Persistent: episodes >7 days or <7d requiring cardioversion
Permanent: cardioversion fails to terminate/ has relapsed within 24h or longstanding >1y when cardioversion not indicated/ attempted
List the 7 cardiac/ valvular causes of atrial fibrillation
Congestive HF
Atrial/ Ventricular dilation/ hypertrophy
Pre-excitation syndromes
Sick sinus syndrome
Congenital HD
Inflammatory/ infiltrative disease- pericarditis, amyloidosis, myocarditis
RHD
What 3 conditions is atrial fibrillation most commonly associated with?
HTN
Coronary artery disease
MI
List 7 non-cardiac causes of AF
PEACHES
P- PE
E- Endo: Thyrotoxicosis, Phaeo
A- Alcohol
C- Caffeine
H- Hypothermia
E- Electrolyte abnormality
S- Sepsis/ acute infection
4 S/S of AF
Palpitations
Dyspnoea
Chest pain
Irregularly irregular pulse
ECG characteristics of AF
No p waves (irregular baseline)
Irregular QRS
Often 160-180bpm
Normal shape QRS (AVN conduction normal)
Normal T
What bloods should be taken in AF?
FBC: anaemia, infection
TFTs: Thyrotoxicosis
U+Es: electrolyte abnormalities
Why is cardioversion only suitable for patients with short duration of symptoms or those who have been anticoagulated?
Switching from AF to sinus rhythm could suddenly push a thrombus out of the atrium
How should new onset AF be managed if haemodynamically unstable?
Anticoagulate with LMWH: Enoxaparin
Synchronised DC Cardioversion
When is the shock delivered in synchronised DC cardioversion?
Synchronised to the R wave to prevent delivery during vulnerable period of cardiac repolarisation (would induce ventricular fibrillaiton)
If a CHA2DS2VASc score suggests no need for anticoagulation what must be done?
TTE to r/o valvular heart disease
In combination with AF is an absolute indication for anticoagulation
What anticoagulation approach should be taken in AF?
Immediate LMWH (Enoxaparin)
Transition to DOAC
When is rhythm control indicated (instead of rate control)?
Reversible cause
Co-existent HF caused by AF
New onset AF <48h
Atrial flutter if suitable for ablation strategy
What parameters make the CHA2DS2VASc score?
Congestive heart failure
HTN (inc. treated HTN)
Age >75 (2) or >65 (1)
DM
Stroke, TIA or Thromboembolism
Vascular disease: IHD, PAD
Sex (F)
What is indicated by the CHA2DS2VASc score?
0: No Tx
1: Consider anticoagulation in M. No Tx in F
>,2: Offer anticoagulation
What tool is used to assess bleeding risk? What are the parameters?
ORBIT
Hb <130 in M or <120 in F (2)
Age >74y
Bleeding Hx: GI/ Intracranial bleed or haemorrhagic stroke (2)
Renal impairmentL GFR <60
Tx with antiplatelet agents
How is ORBIT score interpreted?
0-2: Low risk
3: Medium risk
4-7: High risk
What drugs can be used first line for rate control in AF?
B-blocker: Metoprolol, Propanolol, Atenolol
Rate-limiting CCB: Diltiazem, Verapamil
What is the second line approach to rate control in AF?
Combination therapy with any 2 of:
B-Blocker
Diltiazem
Digoxin
Which anticoagulants are indicated in AF?
DOACs
Apixaban
Dabigatran
Edoxaban
Rivaroxaban
Which drugs can be used for pharmacological cardioversion?
Flecainide (if no structural heart disease)
Amiodarone
How does anti-clotting drug choice differ following a stroke, depending on whether or not they have AF?
If they have AF: anti-coagulant (DOAC or warfarin if DOAC is CI)
If they do NOT have AF: anti-platelet
Why are anti-platelets not used in AF?
Anti-platelets are specifically for artherogenic causes of clots eg atheroma