sudden death lecture

Question 1

what investigation would you do for heart failure related to MI?

Answer 1

chest x ray
12 lead ECG

Question 2

2 out of what 3 things are used to indicate MI?

Answer 2

ECG changes (ST elevation)
chest pain
raised troponin levels

Question 3

important things to treat MI?

Answer 3

Aspirin
Percutaneous coronary intervention (but not available on rural hospital)
high flow oxygen
thrombolytic treatment (try to dissolve the clot)
morphine (for pain)

Question 4

what is the current guidance to establish death?

Answer 4

• absence of central pulse on palpitation
• absence of heart and breathing sounds on auscultation
• after 5 minutes :
  absence of pupillary and corneal reflexes
  no motor response to supraorbital pressure

Question 5

a thrombosis in the coronary artery is most likely due to?

Answer 5

atherosclerosis plaque

Question 6

who is commonly effected by ischeamic heart disease?

Answer 6

diabetics
the incidence of which is increasing globally, especially since obesity is becoming more common

Question 7

what is the most frequent cause of death in the western world?

Answer 7

CV disease

Question 8

what is the most important investigation to do in someone with chest pain?

Answer 8

12 lead ECG
if this ECG does not show diagnostic changes or acute coronary syndrome, repeat after 30-60 mins.