stable angina and acute coronary syndrome Flashcards
What is chronic stable angina?
- Fixed stenosis of a coronary vessel due to atherosclerosis
- this leads to demand led ischaemia (pain on exertion)
- predictable and safe
How is angina diagnosed?
Clinical diagnosis:
Visceral pain from myocardial hypoxia:
-Hard to describe
-Gestures
(pressing/squeezing/heaviness radiating back/neck/jaw/teeth)
Characteristic patterns of:
- Provocation (exertion/stress/after meals/cold wind)
- Relief (rest/GTN)
- Timing (few mins)
Characteristic background
-Risk factors
If stable angina has been diagnosed what is the drug treatment?
- GTN spray (short acting nitrate), if pain doesn’t settle repeat dose after 5mins, if still doesnt settle call ambulance
- a beta blocker or a calcium channel blocker: reduces heart rate and reduces oxygen demand to the heart (calcium channels blockers also dilate coronary arteries)
- Aspirin: antiplatelet
- ACE inhibitor: antihypertensive
- Statin: reduces cholesterol
- (manage HTN)
When would invasive angiography be considered for stable angina? What has to be taken into consideration?
Invasive angiogrpahy and revascularisation for severe symptoms or high risk
CABG vs PCI should be determined by discussion
Consider: Multi-vessel disease, diffuse or focal Left main disease Diabetes Co-morbidities
What 3 conditions does acute coronoary syndrome encompass?
- unstable angina
- NSTEMI
- STEMI
unstable angina and NSTEMI are also known as non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome
What is the difference between an NSTEMI and STEMI
- no difference clinically
- no ST elevation on ECG for NSTEMI
- NSTEMI is the partial occlusion of a major coronary artery or a complete occlusion of a minor coronary artery = partial thickness myocardial ischaemia
- STEMI is the complete occlusion of a major coronary artery = full thickness myocardial ischaemia
- in an NSTEMI cardiac markers are less elevated
- Primary PCI is the treatment for STEMI
- angiography with a view to revascularisation is the treatment for NSTEMI (and unstable angina)
What is the pathological change that causes stable angina to progress to acute coronary syndrome?
The plaque ruptures or fissures which causes thrombosis superimposed on atherosclerosis = occlusion of vessel
For acute coronary syndrome what are the clinical features?
-Severe crushing central chest pain
•Radiating to jaw and arms, especially the
left
- Similar to angina but more severe, prolonged and not relieved by GTN
- Associated with sweating nausea and often vomiting
What is the diagnosis of STEMI on ECG?
•>1mm ST elevation in 2 adjacent limb
leads
- > 2mm ST elevation in at least 2 contiguous precordial leads
- New onset bundle branch block
(also see t wave inversion and Q waves - first day)
What are the ECG territories for the right coronary artery? is this an inferior/anterior/septal MI?
leads 2, 3 and AVF
inferior MI
What are the ECG territories for the left anterior descending coronary artery? is this an inferior/anterior/septal MI?
V1-V4
Anterior/septal MI
What are the ECG territories for the left circumflex coronary artery? is this an inferior/anterior/septal MI?
V5, V6, 1, AVL
Lateral MI
What cardiac enzymes and protein markers are used to help diagnose acute coronary syndrome? what are the downfalls of this?
May be normal at presentation
May not have time to wait for results in STEMI
Enzyme: Creatinine kinase (CK)
- peaks at 24hrs
- also in skeletal muscle and brain
Protein marker: Troponin (Tn)
-highly specific for cardiac muscle damage
What is the treatment for acute coronary syndrome?
M - morphine (10mg in 10ml titrate) (+antiemetic IV)
O - oxygen (high flow)
N - nitrates (Sublingual GTN 2 sprays if BP> 90mmHg)
A - aspirin (300mg PO loading dose then 75mg OD)
+C - clopidogrel (300-600mg PO loading dose then 75mg OD)
What are the indications for reperfusion therapy (thrombolysis or PCI) for acute coronary syndrome?
- Chest pain suggestive of acute myocardial infarction
More than 20 minutes less than 12 hours - ECG changes
acute ST elevation
NEW left bundle branch block (LBBB) - No contraindications (if they present aftter 12 hours after thrombolysis it is not indicated)