Passmed Cardiology Mushkies Flashcards
How can you classify management of VT?
- Haemodynamically stable –> amiodarone through a central line (2nd line = lidocaine (use with caution in severe LV impairment)/procainamide)
- Haemodynamically unstable –> Synchronised DC cardioversion
What are some causes of orthostatic hypotension?
- Exercise-induced
- Postprandial
- Prolonged bed rest (decondiitoning)
- Primary autonomic failure
- Secondary autonomic failure
- Drug induced = diuretics, alcohol, vasodilators
- Volume depletion = haemorrhage, diarrhoea
What are some causes of primary autonomic failure?
- Parkinsons
2. LBD
What are some causes of secondary autonomic failure?
- Diabetic neuropathy
- Amyloidosis
- Uraemia
How can syncope be defined?
Transient loss of consciousness due to global cerebral hypoperfusion with rapid onset
How can you classify the causes of syncope?
- Reflex (neurally mediated)
- Orthostatic
- Cardiac
What are come causes of reflex syncope?
- Vasovagal (emotion/pain/stress)
- Situational (cough, micturition, GI)
- Carotid sinus
What are some causes of cardiac syncope?
- Arrhythmias (bradycardias/tachycardias)
- Structural = valvular, MI, HOCM
- Other = PE
How does one diagnose a postural drop?
- A symptomatic fall in systolic BP >20mmHg or diastolic BP >10mmHg
- Decrease in systolic Bp to <90mmHg
What are some investigations for syncope?
- Examination
- BP lying and standing
- ECG (+/- 24hrs)
- Echo
- Tilt table test
What is the management for VF/pulseless VT?
- Defib 150J ASAP
- Compressions 30:2 for 2 minutes
- Defib 150J ASAP
- Compressions 30:2 for 2 minutes
- Defib 150J ASAP + 1mg adrenaline + 300mg amiodarone
- Afterwards, adrenlaine should be given after every other shock and 2nd dose of amiodarone considered after a total of 5 defib attempts
What is the management of VF/pVT in a CCU/cathlab?
3 successive shocks, if 3rd is unsuccessful then CPR should be initiated
What has to be given ASAP after diagnosis of asystole/PEA (non-shockable rhythms)?
Adrenaline 1mg
What should resus oxygen be after successful resuscitation and why?
Titrated to sats 94-98% to address potential harm caused by hyperoxaemia
What are the 4Hs of reversible causes of cardiac arrest?
- Hypoxia
- Hypovolaemia
- Hypothermia
- Hypo/hyperkalaemia, hypoglycaemia, hypocalcaemia, acidaemia
What are the 4Ts of reversible causes of cardiac arrest?
- Thrombosis (coronary/pulmonary)
- Tension pneumothorax
- Tamponade
- Toxins
What is a definition for VT?
A broad-complex tachycardia originating fro a ventricular ectopic focus
What are the 2 main types of VT?
- Monomorphic = most commonly causes by MI
2. Polymorphic VT = e.g. torsades de pointes
What are 4 normal ECG variants in an athlete?
- Sinus bradycardia
- Junctional rhythm
- 1st degree heart block
- Wenckebach phenomenon
What does a posterior MI show on ECG?
Tall R waves in V1-V2
What is an ECG feature of cardiac tamponade?
Electric alternans
When should a pt who has had an acute ischaemic stroke have anticoagulation therapy started?
2 weeks after the event, due to the risk of haemorrhagic transformation
What is Eisenmenger’s syndrome?
The reversal of a left-to-right shunt
What is the management of a sinus bradycardia in a pt who is showing adverse signs (shock/syncope/MI/HF)?
- 500mg IV atropine
- If above fails –> atropine up to 3mg
a. Transcutaneous pacing
b. isoprenaline/adrenaline infusion titrated to response
What are 2 indications for loop diuretics?
- HF (acute and chronic)
2. Resistant HTN
What medication used to treat HF can cause hearing loss?
Loop diuretics e.g. furosemide can cause ototoxicity
What is an example of Glycoprotein IIa/IIIb receptor antagonists used for the tx of NSTEMI?
Tirofiban
When should fondaparinux be offered in NSTEMI?
Patients who are not at a high risk of bleeding and who are not having angiography within the next 24 hours
When should unfractionated heparin be offered in NSTEMI?
If angiography is likely within 24 hours or a patients creatinine is > 265 µmol/l unfractionated heparin should be given
What antiplatelet is now preferred instead of clopidogrel in NSTEMI?
Ticagrelor
When should IV glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists be given in NSTEMI?
Patients who have an intermediate or higher risk of adverse cardiovascular events (predicted 6-month mortality above 3.0%), and who are scheduled to undergo angiography within 96 hours of hospital admission.
What is the investigation of choice for PE in a pt with renal impairment?
V/Q scan due to nephrotoxicity of contrast media
What is the management for a PE depending on the Wells’ score?
- If a PE is ‘likely’ (more than 4 points) arrange an immediate computed tomography pulmonary angiogram (CTPA). If there is a delay in getting the CTPA then give low-molecular-weight heparin until the scan is performed.
- If a PE is ‘unlikely’ (4 points or less) arranged a D-dimer test. If this is positive arrange an immediate computed tomography pulmonary angiogram (CTPA). If there is a delay in getting the CTPA then give low-molecular-weight heparin until the scan is performed.
What are the ECG changes typically seen with PE?
- S1Q3T3
- RBBB and RAD
- Sinus tachycardia
What is the gold standard investigation for PE?
Pulmonary angiography
What is the MOA of furosemide?
Inhibits the Na-K-Cl cotransporter in the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle
What are some causes of S3?
- Normal < 30y/o
- DCM
- Constrictive pericarditis
- Mitral regurgitation
What are some causes of S4?
- AS
- HOCM
- HTN
How does one manage T2DM in the immediate period following an MI?
IV insulin infusion
Rogue mushkie boi
Myocardial infarction: STEMI management
A number of studies over the past 10 years have provided an evidence for the management of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)
In the absence of contraindications, all patients should be given
aspirin
P2Y12-receptor antagonist. Clopidogrel was the first P2Y12-receptor antagonist to be widely used but now ticagrelor is often favoured as studies have shown improved outcomes compared to clopidogrel, but at the expense of slightly higher rates of bleeding. This approached is supported in SIGN’s 2016 guidelines. They also recommend that prasugrel (another P2Y12-receptor antagonist) could be considered if the patient is going to have a percutaneous coronary intervention
unfractionated heparin is usually given for patients who’re are going to have a PCI. Alternatives include low-molecular weight heparin
NICE suggest the following in terms of oxygen therapy:
do not routinely administer oxygen, but monitor oxygen saturation using pulse oximetry as soon as possible, ideally before hospital admission. Only offer supplemental oxygen to:
people with oxygen saturation (SpO2) of less than 94% who are not at risk of hypercapnic respiratory failure, aiming for SpO2 of 94-98%
people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who are at risk of hypercapnic respiratory failure, to achieve a target SpO2 of 88-92% until blood gas analysis is available.
Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has emerged as the gold-standard treatment for STEMI but is not available in all centres. Thrombolysis should be performed in patients without access to primary PCI
With regards to thrombolysis:
tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) has been shown to offer clear mortality benefits over streptokinase
tenecteplase is easier to administer and has been shown to have non-inferior efficacy to alteplase with a similar adverse effect profile
An ECG should be performed 90 minutes following thrombolysis to assess whether there has been a greater than 50% resolution in the ST elevation
if there has not been adequate resolution then rescue PCI is superior to repeat thrombolysis
for patients successfully treated with thrombolysis PCI has been shown to be beneficial. The optimal timing of this is still under investigation
Glycaemic control in patients with diabetes mellitus
in 2011 NICE issued guidance on the management of hyperglycaemia in acute coronary syndromes
it recommends using a dose-adjusted insulin infusion with regular monitoring of blood glucose levels to glucose below 11.0 mmol/l
intensive insulin therapy (an intravenous infusion of insulin and glucose with or without potassium, sometimes referred to as ‘DIGAMI’) regimes are not recommended routinely
What is the treatment for torsades de pointes?
IV magnesium sulphate
What is torsades de pointes?
A form of polymorphic Vt associated with a long QT interval
What is the pharmacological cardioversion management for new-onset A?
1, Fleicanide/amiodarone if there is no evidence of structural/IHD
2. Amiodarone if there is evidence of structural heart disease
What ECG changes are associated with hypothermia?
- Bradycardia
- J wave (small hump at the end of the QRS complex)
- 1st degree HB
- Prolongation of all intervals
- Atrial and ventricular arrhythmias
What is a J wave?
A small hump at the end of the QRS complex
What is the most common cause of infective endocarditis?
Staphylococcus aureus
What is the most common cause of infective endocarditis in a prosthetic valve?
CoNS e.g. S. epidermidis
What do you call SLE-associated endocarditis?
Libman-Sacks endocarditis
What do you call malignancy associated endocarditis?
Marantic endocarditis
What are the HACEK organisms that cause a culture negative infective endocarditis?
Haemophilus Aggregatibacter Cardiobacterium Eikenella Kingella
What are the two most important causes of VT?
Hypokalaemia and hypomagnesaemia
What is the triad of aortic stenosis presentation?
Syncope
Angina
Dyspnoea
What is the management for aortic stenosis?
- Asymptomatic = observe
- Symptomatic = valve replacement
- Symptomatic and valvular gradient >40mmHg with features e.g. LV systolic dysfunction = surgery
What should never be prescribed alongside CCBs and why?
BBs, due to risk of heart block and fatal arrest
What are indications for beta blockers?
- Angina
- Post-MI
- HF
- Arrhythmia
- HTN
- Thyrotoxicosis
- Migraine
- Anxiety
What are 5 s/es of BBs?
- Bronchospasm
- Cold peripheries
- Fatigue
- Sleep disturbance
- Erectile dysfunction
What are C/Is for BBs?
- Uncontrolled HF
- Asthma
- SSS
- Verapamil
What are options for tx of angina if a pt doesnt tolerate BBs or CCBs?
Monotherapy with
- A long acting nitrate
- Ivabridine
- Nicorandil
- Ranolazine
What is the management of stable angina?
- Aspirin and statin
- Sublingual GTN to abort attacks
- Either a BB or CCB
What are some s/es of ivabridine?
Visual disturbance: Phosphenes and green luminescence
What is the MOA of ivabridine?
It acts on the If (‘funny’) ion current which is highly expressed in the sinoatrial node, reducing cardiac pacemaker activity.
What is ivabridine used for?
Symptomatic relief of angina in patients with a heart rate >70, as an alternative to first line therapies
What are 4 s/es of warfarin?
- Haemorrhage
- Skin necrosis
- Purple toes
- Teratogenic
What are some factors that may potentiate warfarin?
- Liver disease
- PY450 enzyme inhibitors
- Cranberry juice
- NSAIDs (displace warfarin from plasma albumin and inhibit platelet function)
What is the dose of adrenaline in anaphylaxis in a child aged 6-11 y/o?
300 micrograms
What are some ECG findings of hypokalaemia?
- Prominent u waves
- T wave is sine wave
- Prolonged QTc
- Borderline PR interval
In hypokalaemia, U have no Pot and no T, but a long PR and a long QT
What are some associations of coarctation of the aorta?
- Turner’s syndrome
- Bicuspid aortic valve
- Berry aneurysms
- NF
What cardiac medication is c/i in aortic stenosis?
Nitrates
What can thiazides do to calcium levels?
Cause hypercalcaemia
What is the MOA of dipyridamole?
Non-specific phosphodiesterase inhibitor
Haemorrhagic stroke in pt on warfarin - whats the management?
- Stop warfarin
- IV Vit K 5mg
- Prothrombin complex concentrate
What are some factors favouring rate control of pts with AF?
- > 65 y/o
2. IHD
What are some factors favouring rhythm control of pts with AF?
- <65 y/o
- Symptomatic
- First presentation
- Lone AF
- CCF
What medication must be stopped when a macrolide Abx is being started?
Statins (increased risk of rhabdo when combining these 2 drugs)
What are 2 C/Is to statins?
- Macrolides
2. Pregnancy
What is the atorvastatin dose for primary and secondary prevention?
- Primary = 20mg OD
2. Secondary = 80mg OD
What are 3 adverse effects of statins?
- Myopathy
- Liver impairment
- Increased risk of intracerebral haemorrhage
Discuss liver monitoring on statins
The 2014 NICE guidelines recommend checking LFTs at baseline, 3 months and 12 months. Treatment should be discontinued if serum transaminase concentrations rise to and persist at 3 times the upper limit of the reference range
What does an inferior MI on ECG and an AR murmur suggest?
Proximal aortic dissection
What is the Mackler triad for Boerhaave syndrome?
Vomiting, thoracic pain, subcutaneous emphysema
How are Stanford type A and B aortic dissections usually treated?
Type A = surgically
Type B = non-operatively
What is the difference between Stanford type A and B aortic dissections?
Type A = commence proximally to left subclavian artery
Type B = commence distally to left subclavian artery
What is S1Q3T3 a sign of, and what is it?
PE
- S waves in lead I
- Q waves in lead III
- Inverted T waves in Lead III
What is Boerhaaves syndrome?
Spontaneous rupture of the oesophagus as a result of repeated episodes of vomiting
What is the management for Boerhaaves syndrome?
Thoracotomy and lavage
What are 4 associations of coarctation of the aorta?
- Turner’s
- Bicuspid aortic valve
- Berry aneurysms
- NF
What may you see in coarctation of the aorta on CXR?
Notching of the ribs due to collateral vessels
What are some possible ECG features of WPW?
- Short PR interval
- Wide QRS complexes with a slurred upstroke
- LAD if right-sided accessory pathway
- RAD if left-sided accessory pathway
What are 5 associations of WPW?
- HOCM
- Mitral valve prolapse
- Ebstein’s anomaly
- Thyrotoxicosis
- Secundum ASD
Which drugs have been shown to improve mortality in pts with chronic HF?
- ACEi (SAVE, SOLVD, CONSENSUs)
- Spironolactone (RALES)
- BBs (CIBIS)
- Hydralazine with nitrates (VHEFT-1)
What vaccinations should be offered in HF?
- Annual influenza vaccine
2. One-off pneumococcal vaccine
What 3 things can be offered if triple therapy for HF is not sufficient?
- CRT
- Digoxin
- Ivabridine
What medications have no effect on mortality in HFpEF?
ACEi and BBs
What medication is first line for treating HTN in diabetics?
ACEi
How long are ‘provoked’ PEs typically treated for?
3 months
How long are ‘unprovoked’ PEs typically treated for?
6 months
When is thrombolysis used for PE?
Massive PE where there is circulatory failure (e.g. hypotension)
What is bifascicular and trifasciscular block?
- Bifascicular block = RBBB w/ LAD or posterior hemiblock
1. Trifascicular block = features of bifascicular block + 1st degree heart block
What scoring system is used for hypermobility?
Beighton score
What can be used to treat dyspnoea and anxiety in acute exacerbation of HF?
Morphine
How does one define a pathological Q wave?
Q wave of >0.04s and an amplitude >25% of the R wave in that lead. present in at least 2 contiguous leads
In what kind of body habitus may one seed RAD?
Tall and thin individuals
In what kind of body habitus may one see LAD?
Short, obese individuals
What is pulsus paradoxus? What is it a sign of?
- Grater than the normal 10mmHg fall in SBP during inspiration
- Severe asthma, cardiac tamponade
What is a slow rising pulse a sign of?
Aortic stenosis
What is pulsus alternans and what is it a sign of?
Regular alternation of the force of the arterial force, a sign of LVF
What is a bisferiens pulse and what is it a sign of?
A ‘double pulse’ with two systolic peaks, it is a sign of mixed aortic valve disease/HOCM
What is a ‘jerky’ pulse a sign of?
HOCM
What is the management of a haemodynamically stable pt with a regular broad complex tachycardia?
Assume VT –> Loading dose of amiodarone followed by 24 hour infusion
What is the management of a haemodynamically stable pt with an irregular broad complex tachycardia?
- AF w/ BBB –> tx as for narrow complex tachycardia
2. Polymorphic VT –> IV magnesium
What is the management of a regular narrow complex tachycardia?
- Vagal manoeuvres followed by IV adenosine (6mg –> 12mg –> 12mg)
- Electrical cardioversion
What are 2 causes of a regular broad complex tachycardia?
- VT
2. SVT w/ BBB
What will P450 inducers do to INR?
INR will decrease
What will P450 inhibitors do to INR?
INR will increase (inhibit –> increase)
What is Kussmaul’s sign, and what may it indicate?
A paradoxical rise in JVP with inspiration, may indicate constrictive pericarditis
What may you see on CXR with constrictive pericarditis?
Pericardial calcification
What is the textbook triad of PE?
- Pleuritic chest pain
- Dyspnoea
- Haemoptysis
What is the most common clinical sign of PE?
Tachypnoea
If a pt with AF has a stroke/TIA, what is the anticoagulant of choice?
Warfarin or a directin thrombin/factor Xa inhibitor
When should anticoagulation therapy be started in acute stroke pts, in the absence of haemorrhage?
After 2 weeks
What is the commonest association for aortic dissection?
Hypertension
What proportion of aortic dissections are Type A and Type B?
A = 2/3rd B = 1/3rd
What could cause an irregular narrow complex bradycardia with no discernible P waves?
AF with a slow ventricular response
What are the ECG changes in a posterior STEMI?
- ST depression in leads V1-V3
- Tall, broad R waves
- Upright T waves
What do hyperacute T waves signify?
That an MI is imminent
Below what HR can ivabridine not be used in HF?
75
Where should an epipen be injected?
Anterolateral aspect of the middle third of the thigh
What is a valsalva manoeuvre?
Forced expiration against a closed glottis
What is the target INR if a pt has recurrent VTEs?
3.5
What is an important interaction to consider when a pt is receiving a statin?
Macrolides (can lead to statin-induced myopathy)
What is the investigation of choice for PE if the pt has renal impairment?
V/Q scan
How should one manage IE causing CCF?
Emergency valve replacement surgery
What is the most common site of mutation in HOCM?
B-myosin heavy chain or MYBP-C
What do you see on biopsy of HOCM?
Myocyte disarray
What are 2 associations of HOCM?
Friedrich’s ataxia and WPW
What are the echo findings of HOCM?
MR SAM ASH
- MR = mitral regurgitation
- SAM = systolic anterior motion of the anterior mitral valve leaflet
- ASH = asymmetric hypertrophy
If a pt has 1st degree heart block during/following an MI, which vessel has been affected and why?
RCA, as it supplies the AVN –> ECG changes in II, III, aVF
What is the main ECG abnormality seen with hypercalcaemia?
Shortening of the QT interval
What are bizarre, wide, inverted T waves in a pt who has presented with collapse associated with?
Stokes-Adams attacks
Which coronary artery can be involved in an aortic dissection, causing an MI?
RCA
What is the most useful blood test to confirm an anaphylactic reaction?
Serum tryptase
What should one add after ACEi and CCB for tx of HTN?
A Thiazide-like diuretic e.g. Indapamide
Why are venodilators used in the treatment of pulmonary oedema?
Because in cardiogenic shock, pulmonary pressures are often high
What is pulmonary artery occlusion pressure an indirect measure of?
Left atrial pressure
What is normal pulmonary artery occlusion pressure?
8-12 mmHg
What is a sign of hypokalaemia on ECG?
U waves
What are 3 words to describe an atrial myxoma on echo?
Pedunculated heterogeneous mass, attached to the fossa ovalis region of the interatrial septum
What is the triad of presentation of an atrial myxoma?
- Mitral valve obstruction
- Systemic embolisations
- Constitutional symptoms
What is the most common primary cardiac tumour?
Atrial myxoma
What are atrial myxomas typically attached to?
The fossa ovalis
Why are statins c/i in pregnancy?
They might disrupt cholesterol synthesis in the developing foetus
Can T wave inversion in Lead III be a normal variant?
Yes
What is the adult adrenaline dose and route for anaphylaxis?
IM 0.5mg 1:1000 (0.5ml of 1 in 1,000)
What ECG change might you see with an aortic dissection?
ST elevation in the inferior leads if it involves the RCA
What is the DeBakey classification system for aortic dissections?
- Type I - originates in ascending aorta, propagates to at least the aortic arch and possibly beyond it distally
- Type II - originates in and is confined to the ascending aorta
- Type III - originates in descending aorta, rarely extends proximally but will extend distally
What is the management for a Type A aortic dissection?
Surgical management, but blood pressure should be controlled to a target systolic of 100-120 mmHg whilst awaiting intervention
What is the management for a Type B aortic dissection?
- Conservative management
- Bed rest
- IV labetalol
What are the complications of a backwards aortic dissection tear?
- Aortic incompetence/regurgitation
2. Inferior MI due to RCA involvement
What are the complications of a forwards aortic dissection tear?
- Unequal arm pulses and BP
- Stroke
- Renal failure
What is the adrenaline dose for anaphylaxis in children 6m -6y/o?
IM adrenaline 150 mcg (0.15ml of 1 in 1,000)