Myocardial Infarction

Question 1

Which anatomical structures are affected in MI?

Answer 1

Coronary arteries

Question 2

Why does MI occur?

Answer 2

Narrowing of the arteries due to coronary atheroma

Blockage of artery due to blood clot

Question 3

What happens to the cardiac muscle in MI?

Answer 3

Ischaemia and eventually necrosis
Impaired contraction of the myocardium
Abnormal electrical activity of heart cells

Question 4

What are the risk factors of MI?

Answer 4

Male 
Elderly 
Family History 
High BP 
Smoking 
High cholesterol 
Diabetes 
Low exercise 
Increased weight

Question 5

What symptoms occur in MI?

Answer 5

Crushing centralized chest pain
Pain radiates down arm
Nausea, sweating, vomiting, breathlessness

Question 6

What clinical signs can be seen in MI?

Answer 6

BP Low
HR Fast
Breathlessness with fluid heard on lungs due to pulmonary oedema

Question 7

What tests would be done on a patient with a MI?

Answer 7

ECG- shows ST segment elevation
Blood Test- shows raised troponin
Echocardiogram- shows reduced contraction of affected area
Angiogram- shows artery blocked by atheromatous stenosis and blood clot

Question 8

How is an MI treated?

Answer 8

Morphine
High Flow oxygen
Oral aspirin
Primary percutaneous intervention- tube into arm or leg removes clot and inserts stent

Question 9

How is a second MI prevented?

Answer 9

Aspirin 
Clopidogrel
Beta- blockers 
Statins 
ACE inhibitors