S9 Chest Pain and Acute Coronary Syndromes Flashcards
How do you diagnose what a chest pain is due to?
- take a history
- do a clinical examination e.g. auscultation of chest
- carry out investigations e.g. ECG and blood tests
What factors do you consider when taking a history?
Site Quality Intensity Timing Aggravating factors Relieving factors Secondary symptoms
SQUITARS
What respiratory problems can cause chest pain?
- pneumonia - irritates the parietal pleura
* pulmonary embolism - irritates the parietal pleura
What cardiac problems can cause chest pain?
- MI
- stable/unstable angina
- pericarditis - non-ischaemic chest pain
What MSK problems can cause chest pain?
- broken rib
* costochondritis - inflammation of costal cartilages
What GI problems can cause chest pain?
- oesophagus - reflux
You can get pleuritic chest pain, which is related to pain in the pleura but also pleuritic chest pain that has similar pain but in different areas, what problems can cause this type of pain?
- pneumonia
- pulmonary embolism
- pericarditis
- broken rib
- costochondritis
What is cardiac (visceral) pain like?
- dull
- poorly localised
- worsened with exertion
- may radiate to shoulder/jaw
What is pleuritic (somatic) pain like?
- sharp
- well localised
- worse with inspiration/coughing/positional movement
What is pericarditis?
Inflammation of the pericardium
Who is pericarditis more common in?
Men and adults
What is the common cause of pericarditis?
Viral
Can also be bacterial e.g. TB, cancer or autoimmune
How does pericarditis present?
- retrosternal (behind sternum) chest pain
- sharp
- localised to front of chest
- aggravated with inspiration, cough, lying flat
- eased with sitting up and leaning forward
- pericardial rub may be heard on auscultation
What does the ECG look like for someone with pericarditis?
Widespread saddle-shaped ST segment elevation
What is cardiac, ischaemic chest pain due to?
Secondary to pathology involving the heart e.g. ischaemic heart disease