Physiological and Clinical Aspects of CV Disease

Question 1

MI

Diagnosis, Location, Severity

Answer 1

1) History, ECG (STEMI/NSTEMI), Blood Work (Troponin)
2) ECG trace - location of MI will be in the appropriate lead trace - V6 - MI is happening in lateral side of the heart
3) Severity - full thickness MI the most severe, can cause death

Question 2

Angina

Pathophysiology, Symptoms, Diagnosis

Answer 2

1) Chest pain caused by ischaemia and lack of blood flow to the heart due to thrombosis/stenosis
2) SOB, fatigue, mid-lower retrosternum, left arm/throat, 30secs to several minutes, relieved by rest
3) History, Resting ECG, Exercise ECG

Question 3

Unstable Angina

Answer 3

More severe angina
Requires emergency treatment
Can happen at rest/sleep
Not alleviated by rest/medication

Question 4

Acute Coronary Syndrome

What is it? Signs?

Answer 4

Umbrella term for any disease involving a blocking/clotting of the blood in the vessels

Such as STEMI, NSTEMI, unstable angina

Similar signs of SOB, chest pain, nausea, dizziness

Question 5

Peripheral Artery Disease

Answer 5

“Lack of blood flow to the extremities”

Narrowed arteries cause reduced blood flow to these areas and not enough blood to keep up with demand

Question 6

Intermittent Claudication

When is it brought on?

Answer 6

PAD particularly within the legs

Pain comes on with exercise and is alleviated with rest

Question 7

Heart Failure

Definition, Types, Symptoms

Answer 7

1) “The inability of the heart to provide sufficient blood to meet the body’s demands”
2) Systolic (increased afterload and impaired LV contractions
3) Diastolic (reduced EDV and compliance, common in LVH)
4) SOB, Fatigue, Oedema (Peripheral/Pulmonary)

Question 8

LV Dysfunction

EF, Imaging Techniques

Answer 8

1) “Percentage of Blood pumped out of the ventricle per contraction”
2) Good = >50% Low = <40%
3) Imagining techniques such as CT Scan, Echocardiogram and MRI Scan