Myocardial Infarction Flashcards
What is myocardial infarction?
the death of heart cells due to ischaemia typically caused by the occlusion of arteries.
Describe the causative mechanism of myocardial infarctions:
a coronary artery plaque’s fibrous cap ruptures, stimulating platelet aggregation and eventually embolization of a thrombus, blocking blood flow
What two molecules do platelets release that cause vasoconstriction when a plaque ruptures?
- Thromboxane A2
- serotonin
What is a spontaneous MI?
an MI due to plaque rupture
What does it mean for an MI to be secondary to ischaemia?
the MI is due to increased oxygen demand/ decreased supply e.g.
1) anaemia
2) arrhythmias
3) coronary spasm
Name the five types of myocardial infarction:
1) spontaneous MI with ischaemia
2) MI secondary to ischaemia
3) MI in sudden cardiac death
4) MI related to percutaneous coronary intervention/ stent thrombosis
5) MI related to coronary artery bypass (CABG)
What does PCI stand for? (type of vascular surgery)
percutaneous coronary intervention
What does CABG stand for?
coronary artery bypass graft
What is the key presenting symptom of a myocardial infarction?
central crushing chest pain, lasting >20 mins that may radiate to jaw and neck
In which two patient demographics are ‘silent’ MIs seen?
1) elderly
2) diabetic
What is a silent MI?
reduced oxygen-rich blood flow to the heart that occurs in the absence of chest discomfort or other symptoms of angina
Give 3 presenting features of a ‘silent’ MI:
- Syncope
- Dyspnoea
- Fatigue
Other than central crushing chest pain, give 4 other presenting symptoms of an MI:
- Sweating
- Palpitations
- Dyspnoea
- Signs of heart failure (leg swelling, tachypnoea)
What does STEMI stand for?
ST elevation myocardial infarction
What does NSTEMI stand for?
non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction
What is the difference between an NSTEMI and a STEMI?
STEMIs are caused by full coronary obstruction, whereas NSTEMIs are caused by partial obstruction
What is the textbook presentation of an MI?
A textbook presentation is an acute onset central or left sided chest pain, which often comes at rest, in the morning, gradually increasing in intensity over a period of minutes, with radiates down the left arm, associated with diaphoresis (sweating), and pre-syncopal or syncopal symptoms. However, about 30% of patients present without pain.
Give 5 risk factors for acute coronary syndrome according to the TIMI/ GRACE risk scores:
1) age >65
2) severe angina
3) >3 coronary artery disease associated disorders such as hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidaemia
4) known coronary artery disease
5) recent aspirin use
Give 5 SIGNS of an MI:
1) high/ low pulse
2) high/ low blood pressure
3) distress, pallor and sweatiness
4) signs of heart failure (raised JVP, basal crepitations)
5) pan-systolic murmur
What are basal crepitations?
Crackling sound at the base of lungs
What other symptoms can be experienced in an MI?
- Breathlessness
- Tachycardia
- Vomiting and sinus bradycardia
- Distress - impending doom
- Sudden death
- MI more common in the morning
What sign would indicate ACS over other causes of chest pain?
- Pain for more than 15 mins
- Pain that radiates to arm or the jaw
- Diaphoresis (cold sweats)
- Vomiting
- Exertional chest pain
What would indicate away from ASC?
- Reproducible chest pain
- Pleuritic chest pain
What are 8 signs of impaired myocardial function?
- 3rd/4th heart sounds
- Pan systolic murmur
- Pericardial rub
- Pulmonary oedema
- Hypotension
- Quiet first heart sound
- Narrow pulse pressure
- Raised JVP
What are 4 cardiac differentials for an MI?
- Angina
- Pericarditis
- Myocarditis
- Aortic dissection
What are 2 pulmonary differential diagnoses for MI?
- PE
- Pneumothorax
Name 5 blood tests that may be used to request a potential myocardial infarction:
- Troponin
- CK-MB
- FBC
- U&E
- Lipids
Other than bloods, give 4 other investigations that may be used to investigate a potential MI:
1) echocardiogram
2) angiography
3) ECG (check ST status)
4) chest x-ray (check for heart failure)
What investigation can be used to work out left ventricular ejection fraction?
echocardiogram
Describe the MONARCH treatment plan for MIs:
- Morphine
- Oxygen
- Nitrates
- Aspirin
- Re-perfusion (PCl or thrombolysis)
- Clopidogrel
- Heparin
Describe how thrombolysis drugs work:
they enhance thrombus breakdown by activating plasminogen to form plasmin