Stable Angina Flashcards
What is angina caused by?
Atherosclerosis affecting the coronary arteries
What is the typical symptom of angina?
Constricting chest pain, with or without radiation to the jaw or arms
What defines stable angina?
Symptoms come on with exertion and are relieved by rest or glyceryl trinitrate (GTN)
What characterizes unstable angina?
Symptoms appear randomly while at rest
What type of condition is unstable angina considered?
Acute coronary syndrome (ACS)
List the baseline investigations recommended for patients with angina.
- Physical examination
- ECG
- FBC
- U&Es
- LFTs
- Lipid profile
- Thyroid function tests
- HbA1C and fasting glucose
What does cardiac stress testing assess?
The patient’s heart function during exertion
What imaging technique is used in CT coronary angiography?
CT images timed with heart contractions
What is the gold standard for determining coronary artery disease?
Invasive coronary angiography
What does the ‘RAMPS’ mnemonic represent in angina management?
- R – Refer to cardiology
- A – Advise about diagnosis and management
- M – Medical treatment
- P – Procedural or surgical interventions
- S – Secondary prevention
What is the immediate treatment for symptomatic relief of angina?
Sublingual glyceryl trinitrate (GTN)
What are the long-term treatment options for angina?
- Beta blockers
- Calcium-channel blockers
What are the ‘four As’ for secondary prevention medications?
- Aspirin 75mg once daily
- Atorvastatin 80mg once daily
- ACE inhibitor (if applicable)
- Already on a beta blocker
What are the two surgical interventions for severe angina?
- Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)
- Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)
What is involved in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)?
Inserting a catheter to dilate a balloon and insert a stent
