SPM Flashcards
What blood test monitoring must occur when prescribing simvastatin?
LFTs @ baseline, 3 months, 12 months
How does subclavian steal syndrome present?
Posterior circulation symptoms e.g. dizziness, vertigo during exertion of an arm
How do you calculate an anion gap?
(sodium + potassium) - (bicarbonate + chloride
What are the causes of a normal anion gap or hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis?
- GI bicarbonate loss: diarrhoea, fistula
- Renal tubular necrosis
- Drugs e.g. acetazolamide (carbonic anhydrase inhibitor)
- Ammonium chloride injection
- Addison’s disease
What are the causes of a raised anion gap metabolic acidosis?
- Lactate: shock, hypoxia
- DKA, alcohol (ketones)
- urate: renal failure
- Acid poisoning: salicylates, methanol
When can an intra-aortic balloon pump be used?
Cardiogenic shock
Which MI region is most likely to cause AV block?
Inferior MI
What time period would you expect to see pericarditis following a transmural MI?
In the first 48 hours
When does Dressler’s syndrome tend to occur?
2-6 weeks following MI
How would dressler’s syndrome present? How would you treat it?
fever, pleuritic chest pain, pericardial effusion, raised ESR
NSAIDs
When would you expect a left ventricular wall rupture to present after an MI? What is the TX?
1-2 weeks after
Urgent pericardiocentesis + thoracotomy
What type of MI is acute mitral regurgitation most common with?
Infero-posterior infarction
How can Takayasu’s arteritis present?
Young Asian women
Occlusion of the aorta –> absent limb pulses
Malaise, headache, unequal BP in upper limbs, carotid bruit, intermittent claudication, AR
Treatment of orthostatic hypotension?
Fludrocortisone - increases renal sodium reabsorption and increases plasma volume
What is Tietze’s syndrome?
Inflammation of costal cartilages –> chest pain with tenderness
When can you hear a ejection systolic murmur?
- Children
- Tachycardia
- pregnancy
- AS
- Pulmonary stenosis
- hypertrophic (obstructive) cardiomyopathy
When can you hear a pansystolic murmur?
Mitral/tricuspid regurgitation or VSD
when can you hear a early diastolic murmur?
Aortic regurgitation - high pitched
What is a Graham Steel murmur?
If pulmonary regurgitation is secondary to pulmonary HTN resulting from mitral stenosis
When would you hear a mid-diastolic murmur?
Mitral stenosis - low and rumbling
Describe where some murmurs radiate to
AS radiates to carotids, MR radiates to the axilla
Describe attenuation movements
Leaning forward attenuates aortic regurgitation
Left lateral position attenuates mitral stenosis
what does the S1 sound represent?
Closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves
When would S1 be loud?
MS, short PR interval, tachycardia
When is S3 loud?
Loud in dilated LV w/ rapid filling (MS, VSD) or poor LV function (post MI, dilated cardiomyopathy)
What does S4 represent?
Atrial contraction against a stiff ventricle e.g. AS, HTN
When would you see a slowly rising pulse w/ a narrow pulse pressure?
Aortic stenosis
When would you see a collapsing (water-hammer) pulse?
Aortic regurgitation
What signs are associated with mitral regurgitation?
Corrigan’s sign (carotid pulsation)
de Musset’s sign (head nodding w/ each heartbeat)
Quincke’s sign (capillary pulsations in nail beds)
Causes of systolic HF
IHD, MI, Cardiomyopathy
Causes of diastolic heart failure?
Ventricular hypertrophy
Constrictive pericarditis
Cardiac tamponade
Obesity
New York classification of heart failure
- Heart disease present but no undue dyspnoea from ordinary activity
- Comfortable at rest; dyspnoea during ordinary activity
- Less than ordinary activity causes dyspnoea, which is limiting
- Dyspnoea present at rest; all activity causes discomfort
What are the actions of BNP?
Increases GFR, decreases renal sodium absorption, decreases fluid load and relaxes smooth muscle thus lowering preload
What does CHA2DS2-VASc score stand for?
C = congestive cardiac failure H = HTN A = Age (65-74 = 1 point; over 74 = 2 points) D = Diabetes S = previous stroke/TIA/Thromboembolism V = vascular disease S = sex (1 point if female)
What does HASBLED stand for?
H = HTN A = Abnormal renal/liver function S = Stroke B = bleeding history/ predisposition L = Labile (unstable/high) INR E = Elderly (+65 yrs) D = drugs/alcohol
Give examples of ‘the pill’ used PRN in paroxysmal AF
Sotalol or flecainide
Give examples of inherited primary arrhythmias linked with sudden death
Congenital long QT syndrome, Brugada syndrome, catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia
What is the most common atrial septal defect and how does it present?
Ostium secundum –> RBBB with right axis deviation.
Often asymptomatic until adulthood when L –> R shunt develops. –> dyspnoea/HF around 40-60 y/o
How does ostium primum present?
In childhood. RBBB w/ left axis deviation
What is Eisenmenger’s complex?
Initial L–>R shunt –> pulmonary HTN –> increased right heart pressures until they exceed left heart pressure –> shunt reversal –> cyanosis.
What signs will ventricular septal defect present with?
Harsh pansystolic murmur heard best at left sternal edge. Signs of pulmonary HTN. Ventricular hypertrophy.
What medications must a patient be on post PCI?
Aspirin and clopidogrel for at least 12 months to reduce stent thrombosis
What type of MI may lead to sinus bradycardia?
Inferior MI pts may suffer from atropine-unresponsive bradycardia due to infarction of nodal tissue.
What are the 1st, 2nd and 3rd lines treatments for chronic heart failure?
1st line: ACEi + b-blocker
2nd line: Aldosterone antagonist (spironolactone), angiotensin II receptor blocker or hydralazine (vasodilator) WITH a nitrate.
3rd line: cardiac resynchronization/ digoxin/ivabradine
What change occurs in Barrett’s oesophagus?
Squamous to columnar epithelium
Drugs that affect oesophageal motility and predispose to GORD
Nitrates, anticholinergics, calcium channel blockers
Drugs that damage oesophageal muscosa and predispose to GORD
NSAIDs, K+ salts, bisphosphonates
What follow up is required for patients with gastric ulcers?
endoscopy @ 6-8 weeks to confirm ulcer healing
How many weeks off PPIs is needed before testing HP?
2 weeks
Which inflammatory bowel condition presents with hyperaemic/haemorrhagic colonic mucosa +/- pseudo-polyps
UC
Which inflammatory bowel condition is more common in non-smokers?
UC
What changes would you see on an AXR of someone with UC?
Mucosal thickening/islands, colonic dilatation
What is the treatment for mild UC?
Mesalazine (5-ASA), topical steroid foams PR
What is the treatment for moderate UC? How does one define moderate UC?
Moderate UC = 4-6 motions/day
Induce remission w/ oral prednisolone for 1 week then taper. Maintain on mesalazine
What are the side effects of mesalazine (5-ASA)?
Rash, haemolysis, hepatitis, pancreatitis, paradoxical worsening of colitis.
What monitoring is needed for mesalazine?
FBC + U&Es @ start then @ 3 months then annually
How does one define severe UC? How does one treat severe UC?
> 6 months + unwell
Admit: IV fluids, IV steroids
If no improvement after a few days: Ciclosporin or infliximab, then urgent colectomy.
What should be offered to patients with UC who flare on steroid tapering or have over 2 courses of steroids per year?
Immunomodulation (e.g. Azathioprine).
Monitoring: FBC, U&Es, LFTs weekly for 4 weeks, then every 4 weeks for 3 months, then at least 3 monthly.
Primary biliary sclerosis is linked with which inflammatory bowel disease?
Crohn’s
What are the treatments for mild/moderate Crohn’s?
Mild/moderate: Prednisolone for 1 week, then taper.
What does a positive Murphy’s sign suggest?
Patient had acute cholecystitis - only positive result if same test in LUQ doesn’t cause pain!
Antibiotic for acute cholecystitis
Co-amoxiclav
What is cholangitis? E.g. of Abx to TX it?
Bile duct infection. Tazocin IV.
What is Charcot’s triad
- RUQ Pain
- Jaundice
- Rigors
Suggest cholangitis
What is gallstone ileus?
Gallstone erodes through GB into duodenum; may then obstruct the terminal ileum
What would you see on AXR in a pt with gallstone ileus?
Air in CBD (pneumobilia), small bowel fluid levels and a stone.
What is Mirizzi’s syndrome?
Stone in GB presses on bile duct –> jaundice.
Causes of pancreatitis?
G: gallstones E: ethanol T: trauma S: steroids M: mumps A: autoimmune hepatitis S: Scorpion venom H: hyperlipidaemia, hypothermia, hypercalcaemia E: ERCP and emboli D: Drugs
What is Cullen’s sign?
What is Grey turner’s sign?
What do they indicate?
Cullen’s sign = periumbilical bruising
Grey Turner’s sign = flank bruising
Suggestive of pancreatitis
what is a better marker for pancreatitis and why?
Serum lipase as it rises earlier and falls later
What is the modified Glasgow criteria?
Predicts severity of pancreatitis - over 3 factors within 48 hrs of onset means pancreatitis is severe - ITU needed!
What type of virus is Hep A
RNA virus
What is the incubation period of Hep A
2 - 6 weeks
Which enzyme would you see a big increase in in Hep A
ALT
What type of virus is Hep B?
DNA virus
What is the incubation period for Hep B?
2 - 6 months
What type of virus is Hep C?
RNA virus
What type of virus is Hep D?
Incomplete RNA virus - needs HBV for its assembly
What type of virus is Hep E?
RNA virus
Where can you find gluten?
Wheat, barley, rye, oats
What would happen to the following in Coeliac disease?
- Hb
- Red cell distribution width
- B12
- Ferritin
decreased Hb
increased red cell distribution width
decreased B12
Decreased ferritin
Which antibodies are associated with Coeliac disease?
Anti-transglutaminases Abs
What would you see on duodenal biopsy in someone with coeliac disease?
Subtotal villous atrophy, increased intra-epithelial WBCs and crypt hyperplasia.
Where would you see diverticula most frequently?
Sigmoid colon
How would you diagnose diverticulitis?
CT abdomen (colonoscopy risks perforation!)
What is the Rockall scoring system used for?
To predict prognosis in acute GI bleed. Worse prognosis if severe shock; malignancy; renal/liver failure; visible blood.
which laxative should you NOT prescribe in IBS
Lactulose as it ferments and aggravates bloating
What medication should you recommend to patients with IBS who are suffering from diarrhoea?
Loperamide (AKA Imodium) after each loose stool
What treatment options are available to patients with IBS who are suffering from colic/bloating?
Oral antispasmodics (mebeverine or hyoscine butylbromide). Combo probiotics. Low FODMAP diet.
When would you see micronodular liver cirrhosis?
Alcoholic liver disease, biliary tract disease
When would you see macronodular liver cirrhosis?
Chronic viral hepatitis
To diagnose portal HTN, what measure is used?
HVPG > 5mmHg
what is budd-chiari syndrome and how does it present?
hepatic venous outflow obstruction. –> abdo pain, ascites, liver enlargement
In hepatocellular injury, out of ALT/AST and Alk phos/GGT, which would be raised more?
ALT/AST
In cholestatic disease, out of ALT/AST and Alk phos/GGT, which would be raised more?
Alk phos/GGT
What is hepatic foetor?
It is seen in portal HTN - systemic shunting allows thiols to pass directly into lungs. Sweet, faecal smell of breath.
Which antibodies are associated with autoimmune hepatitis?
IgG, ANA, anti-smooth muscle ab
Which antibody is associated with primary biliary cirrhosis?
antimitochondrial ab
If Ferritin & transferrin saturations are high (> 45%) when doing a liver screen, what should you do next?
Perform HFE for haemochromatosis
Treatment for Wilson’s disease
Penicillamine (a copper-binding agent)
What screening should be done for all patients with cirrhosis?
Hepatocellular carcinoma screening (abdo US 6 monthly), variceal screening (gastroscopy every 1 -3 years)
What blood test results would you expect to see in acute alcoholic hepatitis?
Increased bilirubin with normal tests otherwise, impaired liver function (increased PTT, hypalbuminaemia)
What treatment should be offered to patients with large oesophageal varices?
Long-term B blocker
Variceal banding if intolerant of b-blocker
Define hyperacute liver failure
Encephalopathy within 7 days of onset of jaundice
Define acute liver failure
Jaundice to encephalopathy from 8 to 28 days
Define sub-acute liver failure
Jaundice to encephalopathy from 4 to 12 weeks
Aetiology of ALF/SALF:ALT >2000
Paracetamol OD, ischaemic hepatitis, acute Hep B
Main medication used in TX of paracetamol OD? How long after a POD is it still effective?
Acetylcysteine: 100mg/kg NAC in 100ml normal saline over 16 hours. NAC effective up to 72 hrs after POD - it decreases cerebral oedema and mortality
What are the stages of encephalopathy?
1) Slow mentation (number connection) - mild asterixis
2) Drowsy and inappropriate - asterixis present
3) Agitation and aggression –> increasing somnolence, asterixis present
4) Coma - asterixis may or may not be present
Name 2 RFs for bacterial overgrowth
DM + PPIs
What treatment should you try for bacterial overgrowth
Metronidazole
How do you diagnose bacterial overgrowth?
Breath hydrogen analysis - take samples of end-expired air; give glucose; take more samples every 30 mins; early increase in exhaled hydrogen = overgrowth
How low would you expect the viral load to be for oral candidiasis to be present in a patient with HIV
CD4 500 - 200 cells/mm3
How low would you expect the viral load to be for oesophageal candidiasis to be present in a patient with HIV
CD4 100-50 cells/mm3
How low would you expect the viral load to be for HHV-8 Kaposi sarcoma to be present in a patient with HIV
CD4 500 - 200 cells/mm3
How low would you expect the viral load to be for S. Pneumonia to be present in a patient with HIV
CD4 500 -200 cells/mm3
How low would you expect the viral load to be for Mycobacterium tuberculosis to be present in a patient with HIV
CD4 500 - 200 cells/mm3
How low would you expect the viral load to be for Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma to be present in a patient with HIV
CD4 500 - 200 cells/mm3
How low would you expect the viral load to be for Pneumocystis Jiroveci Pneumonia to be present in a patient with HIV
CD4 200 - 100 cells/mm3
How low would you expect the viral load to be for Cryptosporiadiosis/ Microsporidosis to be present in a patient with HIV
CD4 200 - 100 cells/mm3
How low would you expect the viral load to be for JC virus to be present in a patient with HIV
CD4 100 - 50 cells/mm3
How low would you expect the viral load to be for histoplasmosis to be present in a patient with HIV
CD4 100 - 50 cells/mm3
How low would you expect the viral load to be for toxoplasmosis to be present in a patient with HIV
CD4 100 - 50 cells/mm3
How low would you expect the viral load to be for Cryptococcal Neoformans Meningitis to be present in a patient with HIV
CD4 <50 cells/mm3
How low would you expect the viral load to be for Mycobacterium avium complex to be present in a patient with HIV
CD4 <50 cells/mm3
How low would you expect the viral load to be for CMV retinitis to be present in a patient with HIV
CD4 <50 cells/mm3
How would you manage a pregnant woman who has a detectable viral load at the time of delivery?
Caesarean section
AZT infusion running prior to and throughout delivery
Baby will require 4 weeks of treatment with 3 antiretroviral drugs
If a pregnant woman’s viral load is suppressed at time of delivery, how should you manage her baby?
Give the baby 4 weeks of single drug anti-retroviral treatment (zidovudine)
When should you test baby whose mother has HIV?
Look for HIV DNA in baby’s blood at day 1, 6 weeks and 3 months of age.
Maternal HIV Abs will be detectable in baby’s blood for 18 months - loss of these abs after confirms that the patient is HIV negative
How can an acute/primary HIV infection present?
Fevers, fatigue, rash. Glandular-fever-like.
How does Kaposi’s sarcoma look like?
Purple lesions on skin or mucus membranes
What is a regimen of HAART like?
Usually a combo of at least 3 antiretroviral drugs E.g. (non)/ nucleoside/tide reverse transcriptase inhibitors/analogues, protease inhibitors, integrase inhibitors, fusion + CCR5 inhibitors
Which medications do PEPSE entail?
Truvada (1 a day) + Raltegravir (2 a day) for 28 days
What is the treatment for Bacterial Vaginosis
Metronidazole 400mg twice daily for 5 days or 2g stat.
TX only symptomatic patients. Avoid single doses in pregnancy.
What is the treatment for Trichomonas Vaginalis
Metronidazole 400mg twice daily for 5 days.
What is the treatment for Candida (thrush)
Women: Antifungal pessary +/- cream
Men: Emollient +/- azole cream
What is the treatment for Chlamydia
Doxycycline 100mg bd for 7 days OR Azithromycin 1g stat
A test of cure should be done at least 4 weeks after completion of TX (essential in pregnant women!)
What is the treatment for Epididymo-orchitis
Doxycycline 100mg bd for 14 days + Ceftriaxone 500 mg IM
Review in 2 weeks and continue therapy for 1 month if not fully recovered.
What is the treatment for Gonorrhoea
Ceftriaxone 500mg IM as a stat dose + Azithromycin 1g PO as a stat dose
Return for test of cure in 2-4 weeks
What is the treatment for Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV 1/2): Primary/ 1st episode
Aciclovir, Valaciclovir, Famciclovir for 5 days. Analgesia. Laxatives. Bathing in dilute saline solution.
What is the treatment for Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV 1/2): Recurrent episode
Saline washes + analgesics
What is the treatment for Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV 1/2): Persistent recurrent episodes
Aciclovir for 6 months
What is the treatment for a Non-immune contact after potential Hep B infection
Specific Hep B Immunoglobulin – Works best within 48 hours, of no use after 7 days. An accelerated course of recombinant vaccine should be offered to all those given HBIG and all sexual + household contacts.
What is the treatment for Pelvic inflammatory disease
Doxycycline 100mg bd for 14 days + Metronidazole 400mg bd for 14 days + Ceftriaxone 500mg IM
What is the treatment for Syphilis
Long-acting Penicillin. Follow up for a minimum of 1 year with repeat serology.
What is the treatment for urethritis
Doxycycline 100mg bd for 7 days OR azithromycin 1g stat. All sexual contacts in last 3 months should be treated. Avoid sex (even w/ condoms) until both have completed treatment.
What is the treatment for
Simple external warts
Podophyllotoxin cream (avoid in pregnancy + nut allergy), weekly cryotherapy, Imiquimod.
Name 2 skin changes you may see in inflammatory bowel disease and say how they would present
Pyoderma gangrenosum (deep ulcers, usually on legs) Erythema nodosum (tender red nodules usually seen on both shins - inflammation of fat cells)
What changes would you see in mild acne
Mainly comedones
How would you treat mild acne?
How long until the treatment becomes effective?
Topical benzoyl peroxide or topical retinoid or topical antibiotic alone.
Takes up to 8 weeks to be effective
What would you see with moderate acne?
Inflammatory lesions
What treatment options are available for moderate acne?
Topical antibiotic w/ benzoyl peroxide or topical retinoid
Oral antibiotic e.g. tetracycline
COCP
What would you see in severe acne?
Nodules, cysts, scars, inflammatory papules and pustules.
How would you treat severe acne?
Isoretinoin (teratogenic!)
What topical treatment options are available for plaque psoriasis?
Topical corticosteroids + topical vitamin D. Tar is widespread disease. Dithranol in TX resistance
What conditions are narrowband UVB phototherapy typically used for?
guttate or plaque psoriasis
What conditions are PUVA typically used for?
What is the extra component in PUVA
Extensive large plaque psoriasis or localised pustular psoriasis
P in PUVA stands for Psoralen
What oral drugs can be used in severe psoriasis?
Methotrexate, ciclosporin, acitretin