Medicine - Cardiology Flashcards
What is the definition of heart failure and describe its aetiology
failure of cardiac output to meet the body’s requirements
Causes = MIGHT-VAC metabolic infection genetics HTN Toxins (alcohol/drugs) Valvular disease Artery disease Aortic stenosis Congenital
What is the pathophysiology of heart failure?
Myocardial injury
LV dysfunction
Perceived reduction in circulating volume by the body
Neurohumoral activation = RAAS, ANP, SNS
Systemic vasoconstriction and Na/H2O retention
What are S/Sx of L-sided HF?
pink frothy sputum + cough orthopnoea PND bilateral basal creps (LUNGS!) Reduced exercise tolerance
What are S/Sx of R-sided HF?
peripheral oedema (BODY!)
ascites
epistaxis
raised JVP
What features of HF are seen on X-ray? and ECG
Alveolar oedema Kerley B lines Cardiomegaly Dilated upper lobe vasculature Pleural effusion
On ECG may be normal, or show:
- ischaemia (T wave inversion/previous MI)
- hypertrophy (BBB)
- AF
How is HF classified?
Systolic (HF-REF) - EF<40%, inability of ventricle to contract properly (caused by IHD, male, cardiomyopathy)
Diastolic (HF-PEV) - EF>50%, inability of ventricle to relax properly (caused y cardiac tamponade, hypertrophy, restrictive cardiomyopathy)
What investigations would you carry out on a patient with suspected heart failure?
History and examination FBC U&E TFT BNP ECG CXR ECHO = confirms diagnosis
What is the New York classification of heart failure?
1 - heart disease but no undue dyspnoea
2 - comfortable at rest, dyspnoea during ordinary activities
3 - dyspnoea during less than ordinary activities which is limiting
4 - dyspnoea at rest
What is the acute management of heart failure?
sit up oxygen IV access and ECG analgesia furosemide GTN ?CPAP
What is the treatment for chronic HF?
ABAL!
- ACEi (or ARB)
- B-blocker
- add aldosterone antagonist (spironolactone)
- loop diuretic (furosemide)
also. ..
- valsartan
- ICD
- ivabradine
- digoxin
What medications should be avoided in HF?
- NSAIDS/glucocorticoids (cause fluid retention)
- verapamil (- inotrope)
- thiazoladinediones (DM drug that causes fluid retention)
- Class 1 anti-arrhythmics (e.g. flecianide which is a - inotrope)
What is the definition of infective endocarditis?
microbial infection of endocardium (any interior heart surface but commonly the valves)
What common pathogens cause native valve endocarditis?
strep viridans
staphylococcus
enterococcus
What common pathogens cause prosthetic valve endocarditis?
CoNS
Staph aureus
What common pathogens cause IVDU endocarditis?
staph aureus
What common pathogens cause prosthetic valve endocarditis early post-op?
staph epidermis
Describe the pathogenesis of IE
portal of entry (dental/surgery/IVDU) + causative organism (HACEK)
- haemophilus
- actinobacillus
- cardiobacterium
- eikenella
- kingella
endocardial damage -> vegetation formation -> embolisation of vegetative particles -> lots of mini embolic events in organs
What are the RFx for IE development?
IVDU Immunocompromised DM Alcohol Older age Rheumatic HD Prosthesis poor oral hygiene piercings tattoos
What are the S/Sx of IE?
often non specific: delirium, weight loss, fatigue, malaise, weakness - fever, rigors splenomegaly haematuria glomerulonephritis janeway lesions osler nodes splinter haemorrhages finger clubbing roth spots (retinal haemorrhages)
Fever + new murmur = IE until proven otherwise
What valve is commonly affected and at which you would hear a murmur in IE in an IVDU
Tricuspid!
How is IE investigated?
Bloods Blood cultures x 3 (30 mins apart, different sites, prior to Abx) Urinalysis (?haematuria) ECHO (TTE then TOE) ECG CT/MRI head (infarcts?) CT/USS abdo (splenomegaly)
What are Duke’s criteria and how are they used to define IE?
Major criteria: positive blood cultures + evidence of myocardial involvement on imaging (ECHO)
Minor criteria: VF-PEP (vascular phenomena = janeway, fever, predisposing factors, immune phenomena = osler, positive atypical blood cultures which don’t meet the major criteria)
Definite = 2 major, 1 maj + 3 min, 5 min
How is IE treated?
Bactericidal Abx, guided by sensitivities
Usually gentamicin/vancomysin, taken for 6 weeks from the 1st day that blood cultures come back negative
50% pts need surgery (open or TAVI)
Open = tissue or mechanical heart valves
What are the indications for surgery in IE?
Multidrug resistance HF Valve dysfunction infection uncontrolled repeated embolic events
Describe the components of the CHA2DS2VASC score
Congestive HF HTN Age >74yrs (2) DM Stroke/TIA/thromboembolic event previously (2) Vascular disease Age 65-74 Female
Calculates risk of stroke with AF
Describe 2 signs of R and L sided heart failure
Right sided:
- pedal oedema
- raised JVP
Left sided:
- pulmonary oedema (bibasal crepitations)
- pleural effusions
On an ECG of someone presenting with acute chest pain, what features would you see in someone having an NSTEMI?
T wave inversion
ST depression
Pathological Q wave
On an ECG of someone presenting with acute chest pain, what are ST elevation, Q waves and a raised troponin signs of:
Infarction (i.e. STEMI)
What is Barlow syndrome?
Mitral valve prolapse = mid-systolic click murmur (heard loudest at apex)
What are the risk factors for coronary artery disease?
Smoking
HTN
Hyperlipidaemia
Diabetes
Describe the classifications from ACS
Acute coronary syndrome can be described as: MI or unstable angina
ST elevation and +ve cardiac markers = STEMI
No ST elevation and +ve cardiac markers = NSTEMI
No ST elevation and -ve cardiac markers = unstable angina
Define stable angina and its presentation
FIXED atheromatous stenosis in a coronary artery, angina pectoris is the symptom
Presents as central chest pain, discomfort and breathlessness precipitated by exertion/stress, and promptly relieved by rest
How is stable angina investigated?
Bloods
Resting ECG (usually normal/previous MI signs)
Stress testing and exercise ECG (may show ST depression which is indicative of ischaemia)
Cardiac biomarkers (usually normal)
Coronary arteriogram (gives info about the location and extent of artery clogging)
What is the treatment for stable angina?
Educate the patient
Medical Mg:
1) Symptomatic relief -> with GTN (they can take 2 doses of this 5 mins apart, and if 5 mins later there is still no improvement then CALL AMBULANCE)
2) Long term symptomatic relief
- > B-blocker (bisoprolol/atenolol)
- > Ca+ blocker (non-rate limiting e.g. felodipine, amlodipine, nifedipine)
- > others e.g. nicorandil, ivabradine…
3) Secondary prevention = BASE
- > B-blocker (may be on this already!)
- > Aspirin (75mg OD)
- > Statin (atorvastatin 80mg OD)
- > acE inhibitor (ramipril)
Surgical Mg:
1) PCI
2) CABG
2/3 of which 3 features are needed to diagnose ACS (i.e. unstable angina or MI)
chest pain cardiac enzymes (troponin) ECG changes
What are the signs and symptoms of ACS?
Pain
anxiety
breathlessness
N&V
Collapse/syncope
Sympathetic activation -> tachycardia, sweating, pallor
vagal activating -> bradycardia and vomiting
How is ACS (acute chest pain) investigated?
- Good history and examination
- ECG (?ST elevation?) - if yes then STEMI, if no the NSTEMI or unstable angina
- Biochemistry (troponin, CK, Raised WCC/CRP/ESR)
- CXR (cardiomegaly? pulmonary oedema?)
- ECHO (assess ventricular function and any complications e.g. valve disease)
Does NSTEMI suggest ischaemia or infarction?
NSTEMI = suggests ischaemia STEMI = suggests infarction
What is the definition of HTN and what are its causes?
Systemic HTN = persistent elevation of arterial BP >140/90
Optimal = <120/80
Primary causes = essential HTN accounting for 90% of cases, no attributable cause but RFx include age, gender, ethnicity, genetics, diet, obesity, alcohol…
Secondary causes = ROPE
- Renal disease (renal artery stenosis)
- Obesity
- Pregnancy/pre-eclampsia
- Endocrine
- > hyperaldosteronism
- > phaemchromocytoma
What is the presentation of hypertension?
Normally always asymptomatic but occasionally present with:
- headache
- visual changes
How is HTN diagnosed?
At least 2 high readings, taken 5 mins apart
How is HTN managed?
Lifestyle changes: exercise, weight loss, smoking cessation, diet…
Pharmacological:
Age <55 = ACEi
Age >55/afro-caribbean origin = Ca+ channel blocker
Then combine the two
Then add a thiazide-like diuretic
Which tachyarrhythmia has: A) narrow QRS and is regular B) narrow QRS and is irregular C) broad QRS and is regular D) broad QRS and is irregular
A) SVT
B) AF
C) VT
D) VF
What are the adverse features associated with someone who has a tachyarrhythmia (which determine the treatment pathway in resus?)
HISS
Heart failure
Ischaemia/chest pain
Syncope/reduced consciousness
Shock/low BP
Describe the pathophysiology of AF and its 4 main categories:
Underlying heart disease causes structural remodelling, myocardial stretch and fibrosis leads to disrupted cell-cell coupling and electrical remodelling
1) paroxysmal - <48hrs, can be intermittent and recurring and is normally self-terminating
2) persistent - lasts >7 days
3) long standing - >1yr
4) permanent - pt no longer in efforts to return to sinus rhythm
What are the S/Sx of AF
SOB chest pain palpitations/syncope irregularly irregular pulse narrow QRS no P waves
How is AF investigated?
Bloods: ECG, FBC, TFT, troponin, U&E, LFT
Blood cultures: underlying infection?
ECHO: ?any structural abnormalities? (this must be carried out anyway before cardioverson to check for clots)
CXR: ?infection
How is AF treated?
HR >120 = think about treatment, HR > 150 = definitely treat
1) treat underlying cause
2) rate control: B blocker/Ca channel blocker/digoxin
3) -> if symptoms continue despite rate control or rate control is unsuccessful, rhythm control: amiodarone or flecianide
4) anticoagulation: use CHA2DS2VASc score to determine need for it, and HAS-BLED score to determine of the risks of anticoagulation outweigh the risks of bleeding
- > with NOAC/warfarin
5) cardioversion
6) other: maze ablation/LAA surgery
What is the CHA2DS2VASc score?
Used to determine the need for anticoagulation and the risk of stroke in AF: congenital HF HTN Age >74 (2 marks) Diabetes Stroke/previous TIA (2 marks) Vascular disease Age 65-74yrs Sex (female)
What is the HAS-BLED score?
Used to determine if the risks of bleeding from anticoagulation are outweighed by the benefits of anticoagulating:
HTN Abnormal liver/renal function Stroke Bleeding history/predisposition Labile INR (i.e. unstable, easily altered) Elderly (>65yrs) Drugs/alcohol
Describe the types of cardioversion which can be carried out and the choice:
Decision to cardiovert depends on the timing and onset of AF:
- immediately cardiovert if onset <48hrs ago / pt is haemodynamically unstable
- delayed cardioversion if onser >48hrs ago and pt is stable -> pt should then be anticoagulated for 3 WEEKS before cardioverting and get ECHO first to check
Options for cardioversion are: electrical or chemical (amiodarone)
What are the reasons for urgently cardioverting a patient:
chest pain
decompensated HF
haemodynamically unstable (low BP)
Describe SVT and its aetiology
Supraventricular tachycardia
Regular, narrow complex tachycardia
The collective name for a group of conditions where the SA/atrial tissue is the cause of the sustained arrhythmia
Disorders of impulse formation or conduction
Either due to:
Increased cardiac muscle automaticity
Re-entry circuit formation
What are the signs and symptoms of SVT:
On ECG: Regular, narrow QRS, P waves absent/present
Symptoms: palpitations, chest pain, anxiety, light headedness, SOB, syncope
How is SVT investigated?
ECG
Bloods - TFT, troponin, FBC, LFT (?alcohol), CRP, cultures
What is the treatment of SVT?
Give O2, IV access, 12 lead ECG
Look for HISS adverse features
No adverse features:
- If the rhythm is regular -> vasovagal manouvres and adenosine (slows the HR)
- If the rhythm is irregular -> probably AF
Adverse features:
- seek expert help, sedation and electrical cardioversion, amiodarone
What are the causes of SVT
Often no cause identified
Sometimes: caffeine, stress, infection, thyroid disease, medications
Describe VT and its causes
Ventricular tachycardia
Wide QRS, regular
Improper ventricular electrical activity, shows torsades de pointed (sharks teeth) on ECG
Short spells can go unnoticed, long spells can lead to VF and sudden cardiac death
Causes: aortic stenosis, CAD, cardiomyopathy, electrolyte imbalances (low K/Mg)
Describe the different types of VT and their causes
- Monomorphic (more common)
the shape of each heart beat on the ECG looks the same because the impulse is either being generated from increased automaticityof a single point (in either the L/R ventricle) or due to a re-entrycircuit in the ventricle
Scarring of the heart musclefrom a previous myocardial infarction is the most common cause -> the scar cannot conduct electrical activity, so there is a potential circuitaroundthe scar that results in the tachycardia - Polymorphic
Most commonly caused by abnormalities of ventricular muscle repolarization (prolonged QT interval on ECG)
QT prolongation may be congenital or acquired
What are the signs and symptoms of VT?
short periods - asymptomatic
longer periods - headaches, chest pain, SYNCOPE
How is VT investigated and treated?
Investigation:
- Bloods - FBC, U&E, CRP, troponin, TFTs
- ECG
- Blood cultures
Treatment:
- Cardioversion (amiodarone, DC)
- Ablation therapy
- ICD
Define VF and its causes:
Irregular wide QRS complex tachycardia 80% occur within 12hrs of an MI Due to disordered electrical activity which causes the lower heart chambers to fibrillate (quiver) and prohibit the heart from pumping blood Can cause sudden cardiac arrest Causes: - sepsis - drugs - IHD/MI - cardiomyopathy - aorta problems
What are the signs and symptoms of VF?
Loss of responsiveness
Breathing abnormalities
PULSELESS - requires cardioversion
How is VF investigated and treated?
Investigation:
- ECG
- Bloods
- Cultures
Treatment:
- CPR
- Defibrillation
Define sinus bradycardia and its causes
HR <60, everything else normal
Causes:
Physiological - sleep, athletes
Pathological - increased ICP, sinus node disease, sepsis, hypoxia, IHD
What are the signs and symptoms of sinus bradycardia?
Usually asymptomatic, but rarely:
- syncope
- hypotension
- dyspnoea
How is sinus bradycardia treated?
Usually no treatment needed if HR >40
Sometimes:
- atropine
- pacemaker
What is junctional bradycardia?
HR <60
Regular, narrow QRS, but NO P WAVES
Due to SA node dysfunction, meaning there is no atrial activity
How is sinus bradycardia treated?
Usually no treatment needed if HR >40
Sometimes:
- atropine
- pacemaker
What is junctional bradycardia?
HR <60
Regular, narrow QRS, but NO P WAVES
Due to SA node dysfunction, meaning there is no atrial activity
Define bundle branch block
- electrical impulses are delayed/blocked as they travel through the heart
- always symptomatic
- may be a sign of an underlying heart condition which requires treatment
What is LBBB and its causes
- delayed conduction of electrical signals through the left bundle branch
Due to: - CAD, cardiomyopathy, ageing
- septum depolarises R -> L, causing W(v1) and M (v6)
What is RBBB and its causes
- delayed conduction of electrical signals through the right bundle branch
Due to: - CAD, congenital heart disease, lung conditions
BUT can also occur in healthy individuals with no underlying heart conditions - septum depolarises L -> R, causing M(v1) and W(v6)
What are the signs and symptoms of BBB
Often asymptomatic
Sometimes:
- palpitations, SOB, light headed, syncope, chest pain/discomfort
How is BBB treated?
pacemaker
Describe 1st degree AV block
Rate <60
PR interval >200ms