PBL 3 Flashcards
define C reactive proteins
- this is an annular pentameric protein which is found in the blood plasma, it rises in response to inflammation.
- The protein is made in the liver, it can cause pain redness, and swelling of the injured and affected area
define tacypnoea
this is abnormally fast rapid breathing, greater than 20 breaths per minute
define BMI
– weight/height squared, uses your height and weight to work out if you are healthy
Define myocardial infraction
– this is when a portion of the heart is deprived of oxygen due to a blockage of a coronary artery, thus the myocytes that are supplied with oxygen begin to die
define atheroscerolsos
this is a disease in which the plaque builds up inside the arteries, it is the process by which the atheroma undergoes changes and the plaque builds up
describe the process of atherosclerosis
- initiated by endothelial damage which is induced by factors such as hypertension, hyperlipidaemia or smoking
- the endothelial permeability alters and macromolecules such as low density lipoprotein and cell adhesion factors which result in monocytes and T lymphocyte migration
- the endothelial dysfunction results in the intimal accumulation of lipid laden macrophages and T lymphocytes
- growth factors stimulate the migration of smooth muscle cells from tunica media and these proliferate becoming foam cells that engulf the lipid this results in a raised pale cellular lesion that is called a fatty streak
- this turns into an atheromatous plaque, this results in a development of a fibre cap between the endothelium and accumulating constituents of a lipid rich core
- fibrous cap is made up of the smooth muscle cells and extracellular matrix synsthesed by these cells comprised of dense collagen, elastic fibres and proteoglycans
- beneath and to the side of the fibrous cap and surrounding a lipid rich necrotic core of foam cells extracellular lipid and otters debris are inflammatory cells, more smooth muscle and peripheral neovascularisation
what is angina caused by
- caused by myocardial ischaemia which results in a mismatch between myocardial blood flow and oxygen demand
What are the risk factors for angina
- Tobacco use – can allow deposits of cholesterol to collect and block blood flow
- Diabetes – not enough insulin is produced therefore glucose builds up and thus diabetes increases the risk of coronary artery disease which leads to angina and heart attacks
- High blood pressure – high blood pressure damages arteries by accelerating hardening of the arteries
- High blood cholesterol or triglyceride levels – cholesterol can narrow arteries throughout the body including those that supply the heart, LDL can increase the risk of angina and heart attacks
- Family history
- Older age
- Lack of exercise – inactive lifestyle contributes to high cholesterol, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and obesity
- Obesity – obesity raises the risk of angina and heart disease and its associated with high blood cholesterol levels
- Stress – stress can increase your risk of angina and heart attacks
what are the surgical treatment options for angina
Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI)
- A stent is put into a narrowed coronary artery
- Increases O2 delivery to myocardium
- Used when angina no longer responds to medication
Coronary Artery Bypass Graft
- Graft is taken from elsewhere (great saphenous vein)
- Used to route around the blocked coronary artery
- Used when angiography revealed PCI can’t help
what lifestyle advice should be given
- Have a balanced diet
- Cut down on alcohol
- Lose weight
- Exercise regularly
- Stop smoking
- Reduce stress level
what will the changes be in the ECG exercise
- ST depression – shows that there is myocardial ischemia,
- T wave inversion or tall pointed upright T wave which is indication of the beginning of a MI
- Normal without exercise
why does the patient feel chest pain during exercise
- Has stable angina
- When exercising the heart increases in pumping thus it needs an increase in oxygenation but cannot get that as the coronary arteries are narrowed due to the narrowing of the arteries such as in atherosclerosis which can prevent the heart from receiving more oxygen
- This can cause myocardial ischemia which can cause the chest pain
- When he isn’t exercising the oxygen demand isn’t as high therefore the myocytes get enough oxygen and thus he does not experience the pain
- May also go to the neck jaw, shoulder or back of the arm
what drugs is he currently taking and what drugs could be given to him
- Aspirin
- calcium channel blocker
- statin
others
- ACE
- Beta Blockers
- long acting nitrate
what is the mechanism of action of aspirin
– this is used to reduce the chance of heart attacks and a stroke, it is an NSAID,
- it causes a decreased production of prostaglandins and TXA2,
- it does this by inactivation of the COX enzyme
- reduces the chance of clot formation as TXA2 is responsible for the aggregation of platelets that form blood clots
what is the mechanism of action of statins
- stains competitively inhibit HMG-CoA reductase therefore they decrease, therefore this decreases the production of cholesterol, reduces the build up of fatty plaques in the arteries,
- they also increase LDL uptake this is because there is a reduced level of cholesterol so cells seek to compensate this and draw the LDL out of circulation