TCD Cases 1-12 Flashcards
What are the causes of myocardial ishaemia? (HINT there’s 6)
- Coronary artery disease (main cause)
- Aortic stenosis
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- Cocaine use
- Anaemia
- Thyrotoxicosis
What are the non-ishaemic causes of cardiac chest pain? (hint there’s 2)
Aortic dissection and pericarditis
What are the 4 upper GI causes of chest pain?
GORD
Gallstones
Peptic ulcer
Pancreatitis
What are the 4 respiratory causes of chest pain?
Pulmonary embolism
Pneumothorax
Pneumonia
Pleurisy
What are the 2 musculoskeletal causes of chest pain?
chostochondritis
herpes zoster
What does it suggest if chest pain radiates to the left arm/both arms/jaw/neck?
ACS
What does it suggest if chest pain radiates to the right shoulder?
cholecystitis
What does it suggest if chest pain radiates to the intrascapular region/back?
Aortic dissection, GORD, pancreatitis, peptic ulcer, ACS
What does it suggest if chest pain radiates to the epigastrium?
Pancreatitis, peptic ulcer, gallstones, ACS
Define angina.
Discomfort in the chest and or adjacent areas (jaw, shoulder, back, arm) caused by MI. Most commonly due to CAD.
What are the 3 characteristics of typical angina?
- Constricting discomfort in front of chest, or neck, shoulders, jaw or arms
- Precipitated by physical exertion
- Relieved by rest/GTN within about 5 minutes
What is atypical angina?
Only meets 2 of the characteristics of typical angina
What are the risk factors for developing CAD? (HINT there’s 6)
Age Gender Diabetes Hyperlipidaemia Smoking Hypertension
What factors can provoke angina? (HINT theres 4)
Physical exertion
Emotional stress
Exposure to cold
Eating a heavy meal
What 3 interventions should NOT be offered to manage stable angina?
- transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
- enhanced external counterpulsation
- acupuncture.
Does a normal ECG exclude an acute coronary syndrome (ACS)?
no
What tests, after a normal ECG, are used to exclude ACS?
Cardiac troponin testing
What treatment is given for suspected ACS?
loading dose of aspirin 300mg
What are the various clinical presentations of ACS?
- Prolonged chest pain (>20 min) at rest
- New onset angina pectoris
- Worsening of existing angina
- Angina following myocardial infarction
- Atypical presentations are common over 75 years of age
What 3 reasons could result in a normal ECG in ACS?
- ischaemia in circumflex territory
- isolated RV ischaemia
- transient episodes of bundle branch block
What are the common ECG changes for CAD to be present? (hint there’s 3 points)
- Pathological Q waves indicate current/prev MI
- LBBB (broad QRS, deep S wave V1, no Q wave in v5/6)
- ST segment and T wave abnormalities (ST depression and T wave flattening/inversion)
What are the 6 types of non invasive imagine used in NSTEMI ACS?
- 12 lead ECG
- Transthoracic (TTE) echocardiography
- Stress echocardiography
- Cardiac Magnetic Resonance (CMR)
- Nuclear myocardial perfusion imaging
- CT coronary angiography
What do troponins reflect? What are the 2 gold standard troponins?
Reflect myocardial cellular damage
I and T are gold standard
What invasive imaging is used in ACS?
Coronary angiography
What are the 3 categories of drug treatments for ACS?
- anti-ischaemic = b blockers, nitrates, ca channel block, nicorandil, ivabradine, ranolazine
- antiplatelet = aspirin, P2Y12 receptor inhibitors, clopidogrel, prasugrel, ticagrelor
- anticoagulation = LMWH, fondiparinux, apixaban, rivaroxaban
Name 2 risk scoring systems commonly used in the management of acute coronary syndromes
- ischaemic risk = GRACE score
2. bleeding risk = CRUSADE score
What are the ECG criteria to diagnose a ST elevation MI?
- LBBB
2. at least 1mm elevation in leads II and III
What is an ejection systolic murmur, heard loudest in the aortic area, radiating to the carotids?
aortic stenosis
What is a mid-diastolic rumbling murmur, heard best with the bell of the stethoscope at the apex with the patient in the left lateral position?
Mitral stenosis
What is a pansystolic murmur, best heard at the apex of the heart, radiating to the axilla?
Mitral regurgitation
What is an early diastolic murmur heard best at the 4th ICS with the patient sat forward in expiration?
aortic regurgitation
Why is it important to get the flu vaccination when you have asthma?
Influenza (flu) can be more serious for people with asthma, even if their asthma is mild or their symptoms are well-controlled by medication. This is because people with asthma have swollen and sensitive airways, and influenza can cause further inflammation of the airways and lungs. Influenza infection in the lungs can trigger asthma attacks and a worsening of asthma symptoms. It also can lead to pneumonia and other acute respiratory diseases.
Define the peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR).
maximal rate that a person can exhale during a short maximal expiratory effort after a full inspiration.
What are the 3 important questions to ask in an asthma review?
- in the last month/week have you had difficulty sleeping due to your asthma?
- Have you had your usual asthma symptoms during the day?
- Has your asthma interfered with your usual daily activities?
What conditions can a wheeze be heard in? (hint there’s 6)
asthma COPD cardiac failure pulmonary disease foreign body aspiration eosinophilic lung disease
What are various triggers of asthma?
cold, pollen, exercise, dust, stress, cigarettes, pollution, anxiety, animals, alcohol, chest infections, flu
What parts of a clinical history support asthma as an appropriate diagnosis?
- episodic symptoms
- wheeze on auscultation
- evidence of diurnal variability
- atopic history
- absence of symptoms, signs, clinical history to siggest an alternative diagnosis
What are the features of moderate acute asthma?
increasing symptoms
PEF 50-75% of predicted
no features of acute severe asthma
What are the features of acute severe asthma?
Any one of:
- PEF 33-50% predicted
- RR greater than 25
- HR more than 110/min
- Inability to complete sentences in one breath
What are the features of life-threatening asthma?
A pt with symptoms of severe plus any one of:
- PEF less than 33%
- SpO2 less than 92%
- PaO2 less than 8kPa
- Normal PaCO2
- Silent chest
- Cyanosis
- Poor respiratory effort
- Arrhythmia
- exhaustion
- Hypotension
- Altered conscious level
What is involved in the initial assessment of asthma? (HINT 5 things)
Clinical features assessed PEV or FEV1 Pulse oximetry ABGs CXR
What treatments are involved in acute asthma?
B2 agonsts, steroids and oxygen initially
2nd line = nebulised ipratropium bromide and consider IV magnesium sulphate
What are 2 common side effects of salbutamol?
Tachycardia and tremor
When should a follow up be arranged following a severe asthma exacerbation?
2 working days
When is jaundice clinically apparent?
when bilirubin concentration exceeds 50 micromoles per litre
How much bile is produced each day? When is it released from the gallbladder?
500 – 1000 ml/day.
Released in response to hormonal (CCK-PZ) and vagal response to food.
What is added to conjugate bilirubin? Making it water soluble
Glucoronic acid
- this process is controlled by the enzyme glucuronyl transferase
What type of hyperbilirubinaemia gives pale stools and dark urine?
conjugated aka obstructive or hepatocellular jaundice
What are the (i) common and (ii) uncommon causes of OBSTRUCTIVE jaundice?
(i) gallstones = biliary colic, cholecystitis/cholangitis
carcinoma of the head of the pancreas
(ii) sclerosing cholangitis, cholangiocarcinoma
What are the (i) common and (ii) uncommon causes of HEPATOCELLULAR jaundice?
(i) alcohol hepatitis or cirrhosis, viral hepatitis, drug induced eg paracetamol OD, NAFLD
(ii) autoimmune liver disease, haemochromatosis, Wilson’s disease
What type of pain is biliary colic? If it is associated with jaundice and fever what does it suggest?
RUQ pain
- indicates cholangitis aka sepsis in the biliary ducts
What type of pain arises in pancreatitis? What is is usually caused by?
severe epigastric pain, radiating to the back
- usually caused by alcohol excess or a stone blocking the CBD
What are the important LFTs and what are they indicative of?
- clotting factors (INR and PT)
- Albumin - monitors degree of liver damage
- Liver enzymes = bilirubin, transaminases (ALT, AST), ALP
note: if rise in ALT, AST is greater than rise in ALP then HEOATOCELLULAR
but if rise in ALT, AST is less than the rise in ALP then OBSTRUCTIVE cause
What is delirium tremens?
Acute confusional state from immediate/abrupt alcohol withdrawal
If left untreated, it can result in seizures, and even death
What is the treatment for acute alcohol withdrawal?
- Benzodiazepine or carbamazepine
- alternative = clomethiazole
To treat delirium tremens use oral lorazepam
(2nd line = parenteral lorazepam or haloperidol)
dont use phenytoin to treat alcohol withdrawal seizures
lastly, thiamine is used for suspected/at risk individuals for Wernicke’s encephalopathy
What two things does cirrhosis typically consist of?
- fibrosis of the liver
2. nodule formation
What is fulimant hepatitis?
acute hepatitis with liver failure and encephalopathy within 28 days of jaundice
- poor prognosis, often needs transplantation
What are the symptoms associated with the two areas cirrhosis damages (i) loss of function (ii) portal hypertension?
(i) jaundice, coagulopathy, decreased drug metabolism, decreased hormone metabolism and increased sepsis
(ii) varices, piles, ascites, encepphalopathy, renal failure
What are the causes of cirrhosis?
hazardous alcohol, chronic hep B and C, autoimmune liver disease, haemachromatosis, Wilsons disease, chronic obstruction
What are the typical stigmata of cirrhosis?
palmar erythema, leuconychia, spider naevi, caput medusae
What are the two things bile consists of? Where are these two things derived from?
Bile pigments - from haemoglobin breakdown
Bile salts - from cholesterol
What are the causes of haemolytic jaundice?
Due to increased RBC breakdown:
- RBC abnormality eg sickle cell disease
- Incompatible blood transfusion
- Drug reaction
- Hypersplenism
What type of bilirubin is in abundance in haemolytic jaundice? Explain
Liver function is normal but glucuronyl transferase is saturated. The liver compensates by increasing conjugated bilirubin output, therefore, dark stools
- the excess of unconjugated in plasma results in little to no colour in urine
What are the causes of hepatocellular jaundice?
- congenital “neonatal” jaundice
- acquired (as a result of liver damage) = infection, cirrhosis 2o to alcohol, cirrhosis 2o to steatohepatitis, damage by toxins/drugs
Why can neonatal jaundice be fatal?
In babies, unconjugated bilirubin can penetrate the BBB. It is toxic to neural tissue and can cause short and long term neurological dysfunction
What are the common causes of obstructive jaundice?
- obstruction of duct by stone
- obstruction of duct by tumour
- intra-hepatic cholestasis
What are the imaging techniques used to diagnose jaundice?
USS is first line
- if duct dilatation then CT
- if ducts normal on USS then must be pre-hep or hepatocellular
What are the 4 categories of causes of ‘hepatitis’?
- Hereditary = haemochromatosis, Wilson’s
- Drug induced = medications, paracetamol OD, alcohol
- Infection
- Autoimmune
What are the (i) infective (ii) lifestyle (iii) drug (iv) extrahepatic (v) autoimmune and (vi) hereditary causes of liver disease?
(i) INFECTIVE = EBV, CMV, Hep A, B or C
(ii) LIFESTYLE = alcohol excess, obesity, diabetes mellitus
(iii) DRUGS = methotrexate, flucloxacillin, anti-epileptics, rifampicin, paracetamol OD
(iv) EXTRAHEPATIC = cancer of pancreas, gallstones
(v) AUTOIMMUNE = PSC, PBC, autoimmune hepatiis
(vi) HEREDITARY = haemchromatosis, Wilson’s, alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency
What are risk factors for poor pancreas health?(HINT there’s 5)
- alcohol consumption
- high fat diet
- overweight
- tobacco products
- Genetics (eg cystic fibrosis)
What pathological process happens in acute pancreatits? (HINT autodigestion). What do patients experience symptom wise?
The enzymes used to breakdown food are activated early and begin to digest pancreatic tissue
V. painful, radiating to the back. Also experience nausea and vomiting
What are the causes of acute pancreatitis? What test(s) confirm its diagnosis?
CAUSES: 40% heavy alcohol use
40 % gallstones
20 % other = abdominal trauma, medications, infections, tumours, genetic/anatomical variants, high triglyceride or calcium levels
Diagnosis by raised blood amylase and lipase, plus CT to confirm
What are the causes of chronic pancreatitis?
Common = lifestyle factors in predisposed patients aka long standing heavy alcohol use or long term heavy smoking
Less common = medications, increased triglycerides, autoimmune conditions, inherited/genetic conditions (CF, hereditary pancreatitis)
What are the symptoms which result from chronic pancreatitis?
Affects nutrient absorption so can cause weak bones or vision loss
- some patients have persistent pain and can struggle to gain or maintain weight
- the pain in chronic is the same as acute
- risk of developing diabetes
What are the symptoms of a migraine?
Paroxysmal headaches that are usually severe and unilateral (occassionally bilateral)
- photophobia, vomiting, phonophobia, pulsating, visual disturbances (flickering lights, spots or zig zag lines, fortification spectra, blind spots), paraesthesia, unilateral numbness, hemiplegia
What medication is used to treat migraines? What can be used as prophylaxis?
Triptans (oral) used acutely
- prophylaxis = propranolol, or topiramate (2nd line)
What are the symptoms of a tension type headache?
bilateral/generalised mild-moderate headache
- often described as pressing/tightening/band like/vice like pain
- occur at/shortly after waking
- multiple (more than 10) previous episodes
What is used to treat tension type headaches? What can be done as prophylaxis?
Analgesia - NSAID, aspirin, paracetamol
- 10 sessions of acupuncture over 5 to 8 weeks
What are the symptoms of a cluster headache?
Severe unilateral pain often starting in sleep and waking the patient
- frequent recurrence in short periods followed by months of remission
- ipsilateral lacrimation
- rhinorrhoea/nasal blockage, often ipsilateral
- ipsilateral conjunctival redness
How are cluster headaches treated?
Oxygen and/or subcutaneous or nasal triptan
What are the symptoms of a sub arachnoid haemorrhage?
sudden onset severe headache without any alteration in consciousness/neurological signs
- vomiting/seizure/confusion/neck stiffness can be present but not commonly
What are the tell tale symptoms of meningitis?
photophobia, neck stiffness, fever, drowsiness
What are the symptoms of temporal arteritis (GCA)?
Temporal headache, myalgia, fever, maybe malaise
- jaw claudication, diplopia, scalp tenderness and occasionally blindness
What class of drugs are used to treat temporal arteritis?
corticosteroids - high dose as soon as possible
What are the symptoms of a sinus headache/sinusitis?
Nasal congestion/rhinitis Frontal/maxillary headache May have fever/flu symptoms Fullness/headache worse when bending forward May feel unsteady
What are the symptoms of a brain tumour?
Papilloedema, new seizure, cancer diagnosis (esp lung and breast), abnormal neurological signs, change in consciousness/confusion/lack of coordination
What are the symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia?
Sudden onset but severe stabbing pain lasting a few seconds to 2 minutes
- often described as ‘electric shock like’ in one or more branches of the trigeminal nerve
- triggered by vibration/skin contact/wind/oral intake/brushing teeth
What percentage of migraine sufferers experience aura?
20-30%
What are some triggers for migraines?
flickering lights on tv screen jet lag relaxing after stress cheese menstruation contraceptive pills
When are the 2 times that triptans are contraindicated?
A history of TIA or IHD
What can woman who suffer from menstrual migraines take?
Transdermal oestrogen patches
What is the criteria for considering prophylactic migraine treatment? (hint there’s 4)
- QoL/business duties/school attendance severely affected
- 2 or more attacks a month
- Attacks dont respond to acute drug treatment
- Frequent, v.long or uncomfortable auras occur
What are the differential diagnoses for meningitis?
- encephalitis
- no infectious causes (blood, trauma, drugs) of meningeal irritation
- subdural empyema
What does a rapid onset of meningitis suggest?
that it is bacterial
What are some risk factors for developing meningitis? (HINT there’s 4)
- extremes of age
- living in close proximity
- vaccination history (absence of)
- immunosuppression/deficiency
What investigations are performed in suspected meningitis?
- CSF
- blood culture
- serology for viruses
- throat swab (n. meningitides, strep. pneumoniae)
- urine pneumococcal antigen
What are the 2 tests performed to diagnose encephalitis?
- CT or MRI - oedema of temporal lobes
2. EEG - characteristic slow waves
What is the treatment for meningitis?
If suspected bacterial = IV ceftriaxone (If GP setting use IM benzylpenicillin)
- if listeria is suspected ADD ampicillin
If h. influenzae or n. meningitis are the cause then household contacts offered antimicrobials (rifampicin) as prophylaxis
What does pronator drift suggest?
subtle pyramidal tract dysfunction
What are the presentations of brain cancer?
- symptoms due to raised ICP
- headache, vomit. blurred vision, decreasing conscious level
- bradycardia. hypertension, papilloedema - symptoms of neurological deficit due to compression/damage
- symptoms of cortical/meningeal irritation
- hormonal effects
- systemic effects/generally unwell
What is the typical presentation in a frontal lobe lesion?
weakness
dysphagia
personality changes
dementia
What is the typical presentation in a parietal lobe lesion?
sensory symptoms
dressing ataxia
visual field
What is the typical presentation in a temporal lobe lesion?
dysphagia
visual field defects
What is the typical presentation in a occipital lobe lesion?
visual fields
What is the typical presentation in a posterior fossa lesion?
dysmetria in-coordination gait ataxia cranial nerve palsies tremors nystagmus
What is the most common primary brain tumour?
glioblastoma multiforme (GBM)
What is the most common benign brain tumour?
meningioma
Describe a vestibular schwannoma.
Benign lesion usually affects 5th, 7th or lower cranial nerves
- ipsilateral hearing problems and tinnitus
What is normal ICP? When is it pathological? What can happen when standing?
less than 15 mmHg
pathological when greater than 20 mmHg
It can be negative when standing
What are the symptoms of raised ICP?
- nausea and vomiting
- headache
- visual problems
- decreasing consciousness
- respiratory depression
- HT and bradycardia
How do you manage a sustained acute rise in ICP? (there’s 6 steps)
- heavy sedation and paralysis
- CSF drainage
- osmotic therapy (mannitol)
- hyperventilation
- barbituate therapy
- decompressive craniotomy
What are the general signs of an extradural haematoma?
Usually bleed of middle meningeal artery
- pt regains consciousness after brief loss at time of injury
- conscious level then slowly starts to decline. The initial ‘lucid interval’ can cause delayed/missed diagnoses
What are the general signs of a subdural haematoma?
Venous in origin, elderly and alcoholics at increased risk
- develops v slowly so latent period can be weeks to months
- headache, drowsy and confused at later stages
- fluctuating conscious levels are common
What is an important side effect of sumatriptan?
can cause drowsiness
Name the 1 anabolic and 4 catabolic hormones.
catabolic = insulin anabolic = glucagon, catecholamine, cortisol, growth hormone
Not all hyperglycaemia is diabetes, what is the definition of diabetes mellitus?
the level of hyperglycaemia sufficient to cause diabetic microvascular complications (retina, kidney, nerve)
What do lesser degrees of hyperglycaemia cause a risk of?
Increased chance of developing into T2DM
- increased risk of macrovascular disease
- in pregnancy it causes gestational diabetes
What HbA1c levels indicate (i) diabetes (ii) non-diabetic hyperglycaemia?
(i) more than 48mmol/mol
(ii) 42-47 mmol/mol
What ethnicities are more at risk of developing T2DM?
Black africans and carribeans are 3x more likely
- south asians are 6x more likely
What drugs are used to treat T2DM?
1st line = metformin (biguanide)
2nd line = add one of
- sulfonylurea (glicazide, glipizide, glibenclamide)
- DPP-4 inhibitor (sitagliptin, vildagliptin, linagliptin, alogliptin)
- SGL2 antags (dapagliflozin, canagliflozin, empagliflozin)
3rd line = triple therapy with combos of above + pioglitazone
4th line = GLP1 agonists (incretins = exenatide, liraglutide) with metformin + sulfonylurea
What is the salvage therapy used for diabetic eye disease?
vitrectomy
What are the complications of diabetes in pregnancy?
1st trimester = congenital anomalies
2nd and 3rd trimester = accelerated growth (IUGR)
What is diabetic cheiroarthropathy?
thickened skin and limited joint mobility of the hands and fingers leading to finger contractures
What is the association between depression and diabetes?
Depression is increased 2-3x risk for people with diabetes
What are the clinical features of DKA?
- hyperventilation
- vomiting
- dehydration
- hypotension with warm peripheries
- decreased conscious level (CV shock)
With DKA/HHS, what 5 steps are used to treat urgently?
- Hypovolaemic shock = FLUID RESTRICTION
- Aspiration Pneumonitis = AIRWAY PROTECTION IF COMATOSE (GCS less than 9)
- Cerebral Oedema (F) = CAREFUL IV FLUIDS
- Fatal arrhythmia = MONITOR/REPLACE K+
- Pulmonary embolism = PROPHYLACTIC LMWH
What are the symptoms of severe hypoglycaemia?
- Adrenergic symptoms = sweating, trembling, hunger
2. Neuroglycopenia = paraesthesiae, blurred vision, confusion
When is severe hypoglycaemia more likely?
- alcohol excess
- v young or v old
- long duration DM
- recent severe hypo
- pregnant
- autonomic neuropathy
- renal/hepatic impairment
What is a side effect of irbesartan (angiotensin 2 receptor antagonist)?
Hyperkalaemia
If APTT corrects when mixed with plasma, what does this mean?
The individual has a coagulation factor deficiency
What clotting factors affect APTT?
Factors VIII, IX, XI, XII and Von willebrand factor
What type of deficiency is (i) haemophilia A (ii) haemophilia B?
(i) Factor VIII deficiency
(ii) Factor IX deficiency
What factors make up the (i) extrinsic (ii) intrinsic coagulation pathway?
(i) VII
(ii) XI and XII
What are causes of a prolonged prothrombin time (PT)?
warfarin
factor II, V, VII (most common) and X
What are causes of a prolonged APTT?
heparin
Factor VIII, IX, XI, XII and von willebrands disease
What should you think of if both APTT and PT are prolonged?
with low fibrinogen: - vit K deficiency - DIC With normal fibrinogen: - heparin toxicity - rarely; factor V or X deficiencies
What is the diagnostic triad of bleeding disorders?
- personal history of bleeding
- family history of bleeding
- supportive lab tests = platelets (FBC, PFA), tests of coagulation (PT, APTT, TT, Clauss, 50/50 mix), tests of clot stability (euglobin clot lysis, factor XIII assay, PAI-D)
What is the 50/50 tests? What does it distinguish?
If a patient had a prolonged APTT or PT, redo the test with a 50/50 mix of normal plasma
- if it CORRECTS = factor deficiency
- if it FAILS to correct = factor inhibitor
How is haemophilia A treated?
Factor VIII (half life is 8hrs so taken 1-3x daily)
OR
Desmopressin (DDAVP) which releases stored factor VIII
How is haemophilia B treated?
Factor IX (half life 18-24hrs so taken 1x daily)
How do you treat mixed haemophilia A and B?
Tranexamic acid (an anti-fibrinolytic)
What are the 3 types of Von Willebrand’s disease?
TYPE 1 = decreased amount of normal vW protein
TYPE 2 = abnormal vW protein
TYPE 3 = little or no vW protein
How is Von Willebrands tested for? How are type 1 and type 2 differentiated?
Tested for by Factor VIII, vW antigen and vW activity
- if the ratio of vWF activity: vWF antigen is MORE than 0.6 it is type 1 and if it is LESS than 0.6 it is type 2
What is used to treat the 3 types of Von Willebrand’s disease?
1 = DDAVP + tranexamic acid 2 = vWF concentrate (avoid DDAVP in 2b) 3 = vW factor
How is venous thromboembolism prevented?
- anti embolism stockings or intermittent pneumatic compression sleeves
- LMWH (SC), low dose UFH (IV), direct anti-xa and anti-thrombin drugs (oral) (DOACs)
How are venous thromboembolisms managed?
Wells score
Don’t investigate first (1hr for PE, 4hr for DVT)
Use heparin (LMWH)
Start oral warfarin (takes 48-72 hrs to take effect, then discontinue heparin)
What is homan’s sign?
A tender calf which is worse with ankle dorsiflexion
What do you do in a suspected VTE if the wells score is low?
D-dimer
- if positive then further imaging is required; doppler of leg or CTPA
What is a massive PE? How does it present and how is it treated?
Large clot lodges in R side of heart or in both pulmonary arteries (saddle embolus)
- presents with syncope and other PE symptoms
- presence of arterial hypotension or cardiogenic shock/cardiac arrest
- medical emergency that requires urgent thrombolysis
When are anti-embolus stockings contraindicated?
In pts with intermitted claudication
- they can exacerbate pre existing PAD
What electrolyte levels should be closely monitored when patients are on LMWH (enoxaparin) for more than 7 days?
Potassium levels
- pts with diabetes, chronic renal impairment and on meds that can increase K are at risk of hyperkalaemia
What are the 3 most common causes of hyperthyroidism?
- Grave’s disease (autoimmune)
2 Toxic multinodular goitre - solitary toxic adenoma
- another cause is drugs (interferon + amiodarone)
What are some of the symptoms of hyperthyroid (thyroroxicosis)
Increased pulse and BP, risk of AF
- warm, moist hands
- exophthalmos, lid lag, goitre
- agitation, tremor, oncholysis, acropachy
- conjunctival oedema, opthalmoplegia, pretibial myxoedema
- prox myopathy, hyperreflexia, frequent bowel actions
What are the risks associated with thyroid eye disease?
- intraocular pressure
- optic nerve damage exposure
- corneal ulceration
What are the treatments used in thyroid eye disease?
- steroids
- immunosuppression
- surgical decompression
- radiotherapy
What are the treatment options for thyrotoxicosis?
- Beta adrenergic blockers
- Antithyroid drugs = Carbimaxole, Propylthiouracil
- usually pts receive carbimazole or propylthiouracil for 6-24 months - Radioactive iodine (cancer risk)
- Surgery (sub-total/near-total thyroidectomy)
- complications = parathyroid damage, vocal cord paralysis, bleeding, keloid scars
What are the side effects of antithyroid drugs?
Most important (severe) are agranulocytosis or leucopenia
- rash, itching, arthralgia
- nausea and vomiting
What symptoms are only found in Graves disease?
- opthalmoplegia
- exopthalmos
- pretibial myxoedema
- thyroid acropachy
What is neonatal hyperthyroidism?
Thyroid stimulating antibodies (in Graves) can cross the placenta and stimulate the thyroid gland of the foetus
When is RAI-131 contraindicated?
In pregnancy or women who are breastfeeding
What is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the UK? Who does it tend to affect?
Hashimotos (chronic autoimmune thyroiditis)
- Women over 40
What is secondary hypothyroidism?
Due to TSH deficiency due to pituitary or hypothalamic disease
- TFTs show low T4 and low TSH
What are the features of hypothyroidism?
- weight gain, lethargy, cold intolerance
- cool dry skin, dry brittle hair, nail changes
- constipation, heavy periods, muscle cramps
How is hypothyroid treated?
Thyroxine (t4)
usually 100-125 micrograms a day
What are the side effects of over-replacement of thyroxine?
AF and osteoporosis
What are the 6 red flags for thyroid malignancy? What investigations are performed?
- growing mass
- dysphagia
- neck pain
- hoarseness
- Hx of neck radiation
- FHx of thyroid cancer
- USS followed by FNA of lump
What are the types of thyroid malignancy? How are they treated?
Papillary carcinoma (70%) Follicular carcinoma (20%) - anaplastic carcinoma, lymphoma, medullary cell carcinoma treatment = surgery - post op RAI treatment - thyroid hormone suppression
Describe medullary cell carcinoma.
Can be inherited
- associated with phaeochromocytoma (adrenal tumour) and hyperparathyroidism
What is Sheehan’s syndrome?
Affects woman who lose a life-threatening amount of blood in childbirth OR who have a severe low BP during or after childbirth, depriving the body of O2 this can damage the pituitary gland
- causing hypopituitarism, and in turn secondary hypothyroidism
What is the pathological process that leads to Type II respiratory failure in COPD? What physiological compensatory mechanisms occur in the body to reduce the level of acidaemia?
In COPD the elastic recoil of the lungs is lost. This causes gas trapping and reduced excretion of CO2. In the blood, the CO2 combines with water to form carbonic acid. In an acute setting, the increased acid levels in the blood would lower the pH levels and the patient would become unwell very quickly. However when CO2 retention is progressive, as is often the case in chronic COPD, the body can compensate for this by utilising the bicarbonate buffer system of the blood. The kidneys are stimulated to reabsorb more bicarbonate, which acts as a base and neutralises the carbonic acid, thus restoring the pH back to the normal range.
How is hypertension diagnosed?
Readings from both arms must be taken and there must be less than a 20 mmHg difference in each arm
Clinic BP is 140/90 or higher than take a second measurement, if substantially different then take a third. Record the lower of the last 2 measurements as clinic BP
- offer ABPM to confirm diagnosis, if patient cannot tolerate this, HBPM is a suitable alternative to confirm diagnosis
How is ambulatory blood pressure monitoring performed? How is home BP monitoring performed?
ABPM = 2 measurements per hour taken during persons normal waking hours. Use ave value of at least 14 measurements to confirm HT diagnosis HBPM = for each reading, 2 consecutive readings are taken, at least 1 min apart, with the person seated. Recording done twice daily (morning + evening), do for a min of 4 days, ideally 7. Discard day 1 measurements and take an average of the rest
What are the stages of hypertension?
STAGE 1 (mild) = systolic 140-159 diastolic 90-99 STAGE 2 (moderate) = systolic 160-179 diastolic 100-109 STAGE 3 (severe) = systolic greater than 180, diastolic greater than 110
What scoring system is used to assess CVD risk in HT?
QRISK score
What are the 3 things involved in the short term control of blood pressure?
- CNS response
- Baroreceptors
- Chemoreceptors
What are the clinical uses of (i) adrenaline (ii) noradrenaline?
(i) anaphylactic shock, cardiogenic shock and cardiac arrest
(ii) severe hypotension and septic shock
What are the clinical uses of (i) dopamine (ii) dobutamine?
(i) acute HF and cardiogenic shock
(ii) acute HF, cardiogenic shock, refractory HF
How is BP controlled long term?
- Renin angiotensin aldosterone system
2. Vascular remodelling and contractility
What does primary hyperaldosteronism cause? What 2 things can cause it? What do patients present with?
Causes raised BP
- Unilateral aldosterone producing adenoma aka Conns syndrome (50-60%)
- Bilateral adrenal hyperplasia (40-50%)
- pts present with: hypokalaemia, muscle weakness, cramping, palpitations
What do people with Addison’s disease present with?
- lethargy, weight loss, fainting, hyperpigmented skin creases, postural hypotension, dehydrated
- hyponatraemic, hyperkalaemic and acidotic
What are the investigations and treatment in Addison’s disease?
Investigations = short synACTHen test treatment = replace glucocorticoid, mineralocorticoid and sex steroid production
What are the organ damages that hypertension can cause?
EYES = hypertensive retinopathy BRAIN = hypertensive cerebrovascular disease HEART = IHD with or without HF, LVH KIDNEYS = hypertensive nephropathy
List diseases/conditions/drugs that can cause secondary hypertension.
- renovascular disease
- primary renal disease
- oral contraceptives, NSAIDs, stimulants (caffiene + methylphenidate), calcineurin inhibitors, antidepressants
- phaeochromocytoma
- primary aldosteronism
- cushing’s syndrome
- sleep apnea syndrome
- coarctation of the aorta
- hypothyroid and primary hyperparathyroidism
What is the treatment strategy for patients with hypertension and UNDER 55?
1st line = ACEI or ARB if ACEI not tolerated
- then add calcium channel blocker
- if still hypertensive add thiazide type diuretic eg indapamide, chlortalidone
- then add further diuretics or alpha blocker or beta blocker
What is the treatment strategy for patients with hypertension and OVER 55 or African/Caribbean?
Start with calcium channel blocker
- then add ACEI or ARB
- followed by C+A+D
- then add further diuretics or alpha blocker or beta blocker
What are the healthy lifestyle interventions recommended to reduce BP?
healthy diet decrease salt intake decrease coffee intake quit smoking decrease alcohol intake regular exercise relaxation therapies (not available on NHS)
What is the most important//main side effect for the following drugs; (i) ACEI (ii) beta blockers (iii) ca channel blocker (iv) thiazide diuretics (v) loop diuretics (vi) aldosterone antagonists?
(i) tickly cough
(ii) bradycardia
(iii) ankle oedema
(iv) hyponatraemia + increased K
(v) gout attack
(vi) hyperkalaemia
What drugs can be used in pregnancy to treat HT?
labetolol, nifedipine, methyldopa
What are the symptoms which differentiate between right and left heart failure?
Right = ankle oedema, hepatomegaly and elevated JVP Left = bibasal crepitations
What are the 4 gradings of murmurs?
- only heard on listening for some time
- faint murmur heard immediately on auscultation
- loud murmur with no palpable thrill
- loud murmur with a palpable thrill
What are the 4 New York Heart association levels for staging heart failure?
1 = no symptoms and no limitations in ordinary physical activity 2 = mild symptoms and slight limitation during ordinary activity 3 = marked limitation in activity due to symptoms, even during less than ordinary activity 4 = severe limitations, symptoms at rest
What are the investigations involved in diagnosing heart failure?
- bloods: FBC, haematinics, U+E, TFT, Glucose
- brain natriuretic peptide (BNP): normal levels rule out HF, high levels = worse outcomes
- CXR
- Echocardiography: info relating to EF of LV (normal = 60%, abnormal less than 45%)
- ECG
How is HF treated with (i) preserved LV function (EF greater than 45%) and (ii) impaired systolic function (EF less than 45%)?
(i) diuretics followed by treatment of comorbidities eg HTN, DM
(ii) DIuretics
ACEI and b blockers first line
- aldosterone receptor antags (elperenone + spironolactone) used in severe LV dysfunciton (NYHA II, EF less than 35%)
- devices (CRT/ICD)
What can cause (i) increased (ii) decreased contractility?
(i) catecholamines and calcium
ii) acidosis and some negatively inotropic drugs (anaesthetic agents
What are the 2 most common causes of heart failure in the UK?
CHD and hypertension
What are the 4 causes of mitral regurgitation?
- Rheumatic heart disease
- IHD
- Valvular vegetations (endocarditis)
- Physiological MR due to dilated LA
When should you not cardiovert someone? Why is this the case?
Who has been in AF for more than 48 hours unless it is going to be lifesaving as the risk of clots increases after 48 hrs, therefore if normal sinus rhythm is restored by cardioversion clots could dislodge and cause an embolic stroke
What criteria is used for diagnosis of infective endocarditis?
Modified Duke Criteria
What does adrenaline do to the frank starling curve
pushes it to the left
What scoring system is used for AF stroke risk? What does it comprise of?
CHADS-2 CHF history HT history Age more than 75 DM history Stroke or TIA history (2 points)
Moderate risk = 1-2
high risk = greater than 3
Name examples of loop diuretics? (there’s 4)
Bumetanide
Furosemide
Tosemide
Ethacrynic acid
What kind of drug is rivaroxaban?
A direct factor Xa inhibitor
What are the 3 hallmark COPD symptoms?
SoB
chronic cough
sputum production
What is COPD characterised by?
Airflow obstruction that’s usually progressive, NOT fully reversible and doesn’t change markedly over several months
- it is predominantly caused by smoking
What are the 3 pathological changes which occur in COPD? What symptoms do these give?
- Goblet cell hyperplasia = cough and sputum
- Airway narrowing = breathless and wheeze
- Alveolar destruction = breathlessness
What are the symptoms of COPD?
Smoker/ex-smoker over 35
- exertional breathlessness
- chronic cough
- regular sputum production
- winter exacerbations
- wheeze
What are the physical signs of COPD?
tar-staining, central cyanosis, tachypnoea, chest hyperexpansion (barrel shaped), reduced lateral and increased vertical chest expansion, paradoxical lower chest motion, decreased breath sounds, wheeze, palpable liver edge
How are airflow obstruction and restriction differentiated?
Obstruction = FEV1/FVC less than 0.7 Restriction = FEV1/FVC greater than 0.7
What are the 4 GOLD stages of COPD severity?
STAGE 1 (mild) = FEV1 greater than 80% predicted STAGE 2 (moderate) = FEV1 50-79% predicted STAGE 3 (severe) = FEV1 30-49% predicted STAGE 4 (v. severe) = FEV1 less than or equal to 30% predicted
What are the differences in type 1 and type 2 respiratory failure?
Type 1 = PaO2 is low but CO2 and HCO3 are normal
Type 2 = PaO2 is low but PaCO2 and HCO3 are raised
What is cor pulmonale?
Hypoxia - pulmonary arterial vasocontsriction - increased pulmonary arterial pressure - RV hypertrophy - causing RVF
What is the treatment for COPD?
- Stop smoking advice/help
- SABA
- if still breathless add LABA/antimuscarinic
- If FEV1/FVC less than 50% or frequent exacerbations, add ICS
- If still breathless add antimuscarinic/LABA
- If still breathless consider pulmonary rehab, increased dose bronchodilators, theophylline
What are the complications which can occur in COPD?
- pneumonia
- pneumothorax
- RVF
- peripheral neuropathy
- cachexia
- exacerbations
What are the side effects of B2 agonists?
- tachycardia
- arrhythmias
- MI
- tremor
- paradoxical bronchospasm
- hypokalaemia
What are the signs and symptoms of hypercapnia?
dilated pupils, bounding pulse, hand flap, myoclonus, confusion, drowsy, coma
What are the signs on a CXR of pts with COPD?
- flattened diaphragm
- smaller heart size
- hyperinflated lung
- horizontal ribs
What is evident on an ECG to suggest p-pulmonale?
Peaked P waves (more than 2.5mm in lead II)
RA enlargement
What is target oxygen saturations in patients with COPD?
88 to 92%
What are the 5 most common infective causes of COPD exacerbations?
- Strep pneumoniae
- Viruses
- Moraxella catarrhalis
- H. influenzae
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
When is long term O2 therapy indicated in COPD patients?
With a PaO2 less than 7.3 kPa on air
What are the general signs of anaemia?
- fatigue
- weakness
- pale/yellowish skin
- irregular heartbeats
- SOB
- dizzy/light-headed
- chest pain
- cold hands + feet
- headache
What type of anaemia does acute blood loss cause?
Normocytic normochromic
- note that initially the Hb concentration does not alter
List examples of hypochromic microcytic anaemias.
- iron deficiency anaemia: inadequate diet, malabsorption (coeliac), blood loss GI tract (NSAIDs)
- Thalassaemia: beta major and minor, alpha thalassaemia (3 deletions = Hb H, 4 deletion = Bart hydrops fetalis)
How is iron deficiency anaemia diagnosed? What are problems faced with measuring ferritin? What alternatives is there?
- low Hb, MCH and MCV
- ferritin = acute phase reactant protein and so can be falsely high in infections and patients with long term inflammatory conditions (rheumatoid disorders, severe skin diseases)
- other ways to measure iron = serum iron, transferrin saturation, zinc protoporphyrin
- gold standard = give iron and watch for effect
What are specific iron deficiency signs and symptoms?
- headache (especially on activity)
- craving to eat non food items (called ‘pica’)
- sore or smooth tongue
- brittle nails or hair loss
- spoon shaped nails (koilonychia)
What are the types of macrocytic anaemias?
folate and B12 deficiencies
Name some acquired B12 deficiencies.
- Nutritional = vegan, poor diet, pregnancy
- Malabsorption = gastric (surgery, pernicious anaemia), intestine (ileal resection, fish tapeworm)
note you get malabsorption of B12 (not deficiency) in Crohns, coeliac, CF
Name some acquired folate deficiencies.
- Nutritional = poor diet, goats milk
- Intestinal = coeliac, jejunal resection
- Excessive requirement = pregnancy, prematurity
- Increased turnover = chronic haemolysis, severe skin disease
- Drugs = methotrexate, anticonvulsants
- Excess loss = dialysis
- Miscellaneous = alcohol (though beer is a good source of folate)
What are the signs and symptoms specific to (i) B12 and (ii) folate deficiencies?
(i) insidious onset, mild jaundice and anaemia, glossitis, angular chelitis, neuropathy (peripheral, SADC, optic, dementia)
(ii) as for B12 but more often a sensory peripheral neuropathy only
- deficiency in pre conception is associated with an increased incidence of neural tube defects in babies
Describe hereditary spherocytosis. What symptoms does it cause? How is it diagnosed and how is it treated?
Inherited abnormality of red cell membrane proteins. Autosomal dominant
- neonatal jaundice, chronic haemolysis, jaundice, gallstones
- diagnosed by FHx, FBC, reticulocyte count, blood film. And if still uncertain do EMA-binding test
- treat by giving folic acid regularly, often pts require a splenectomy
What is Glucose-6-Phosphate deficiency? What symptoms occur? What do pts have to avoid?
X-linked. Pts feel well between attacks. Usually a FHX or a Hx of neonatal jaundice
- sudden onset of feeling unwell and lacking energy, becoming pale and yellow, having backache, passing dark coloured urine
- AVOID beans (broad and fava), a number of drugs and moth balls
What is sickle cell disease? How is it managed? What complications can occur?
Autoinfarction of the spleen with increased infection risk
- management = keep warm and hydrated, keep regular hours, eat well, take penicillin and folic acid
- long term management = hydroxyurea and stem cell transplant
- complications include stroke, increased risk of infection, acute chest syndrome and pulmonary hypertension
What is beta thalassaemia MAJOR? How is it managed?
Inherit 2 abnormal beta genes. Severe anaemia from 4-6 months of age
- management = long term transfusions and iron chelation (desferrioxamine or desferasirox) or stem cell transplantation
What is autoimmune haemolytic anaemia? What are the two types and causes of each?
2 types: warm and cold
- DAT is +ve in warm and for complement in cold
WARM: idiopathic
- 2ndary causes = rheumatoid disease (SLE), lymphoma, chronic lymphatic leukaemia, drugs eg cephalosporins, ovarian teratoma
COLD: idiopathic
- 2ndary causes = EBV infections, mycoplasma pneumonia, ulcerative colitis
What is the main cause of death in beta thalassaemia major?
cardiac iron overload
What are the components of the CURB-65 score?
Confusion Urea greater than 7mmol/l RR 30 breaths/min or more BP systolic less than 90 mmHg or diastolic less than 60 mmHg Aged 65 or older
0-1 = low severity 2= moderate 3-5 = high severity
What are the types of URTI?
- common cold ‘coryza’
- sinusitis
- pharyngitis
- laryngitis
ALL are mainly viral
What are types of LRTI?
acute bronchitis - mainly viral
- pneumonia
- exacerbations of COPD
- exacerbations of bronchiectasis
- lung abscess
- empyema
What are the 4 main subcategories of pneumonia?
- Community acquired = gram +ve, mycoplasma, influenza
- Nosocomial (hospital acquired) = gram -ve bacteria, MRSA
- The immunosuppressed (organ transplant, chemo, risk for HIV) = unusual organisms, commensals, fungi
- Aspiration (swallowing problems, reduced consciousness) = chemical pneumonitis, anaerobic bacteria
What are the common symptoms and signs of pneumonia?
Cough, fever, rigors, anorexia, chest pain (pleuritic, sudden onset), dyspnoea, abdominal pain
- the elderly suffer from mental dysfunction, falls and incontinence
- dull to percuss, bronchial breathing, whispering pectoriloquy, aegophany, mental confusion
What investigations are performed in suspected CAP?
- Gas exchange = SaO2, ABGs
- Fluid balance = U+Es
- Diagnosis = WCC, CRP, CXR
- Cause = sputum gram stain (culture, sensitivity), blood culture, urine pneumococcal and legionella antigen
What treatment is given for CAP?
- Place of care
- Oxygen
- Fluids
- Antibiotics
- low severity = amoxicillin oral
- moderate = amoxicillin + clarithromycin oral
- severe = co-amoxyclav + clarithromycin IV
What are the complications associated with pneumonia?
- simple para-pneumonic effusion
- empyema
- metastatic infection (joint, brain)
- pulmonary VTE
- antibiotic side effects
How is pneumonia prevented?
- smoking cessation
- adult vaccination for influenza and pneumococcal
- child vaccination
What symptoms are common in legionella or mycoplasma?
Myalgia and arthralgia
What is bacterial pneumonia characterised by?
Acute inflammation of the lung parenchyma
What are (i) typical (ii) atypical causes of CAP?
(i) Strep. pneumoniae (80%, +ve)
H. influenzae (-ve)
Klebsiella pneumoniae (-ve)
Staph. aureus (+ve)
(ii) Mycoplasma pneumoniae (treat w macrolides)
Legionella pneumophilia (macrolides)
Chlamydia pneumoniae (macrolides, doxycycline)
Chlamydia psittaci (macrolides, doxycycline)
- common in contact w birds
What are the (i) viral (ii) fungal causes of pneumonia?
(i) most common = influenza A+B
- adenovirus, para-influenza and RSV
- all diagnosed via PCR
(ii) Pneumocystitis jiroveci = most common type in UK
- common in immunocompromised including HIV, suppression, or those with COPD, CF
What is hospital acquired pneumonia classified into? What are bacterial causes?
Onset occurs 48 hrs after admission
- can have early (less than 5 days) or late (more than 5 days) onset
- bacterial causes of late onset = E,coli, staph. aureus, pseudomonas sp, enterococcus sp
Why is aspiration most likely in the right lower lobe?
As the right main bronchus is straighter than the left, and ends in the right lower lobe
Who are high risk populations for TB? (there’s 3)
- homeless
- prisoners
- drug users
it is a disease of low income countries
What are the symptoms of TB?
General = weight loss, night sweats, fever Lung = cough +/- sputum, haemoptysis Lymph = node enlargement Pleura = pleuritic pain Bone = bone pain
What investigations are performed in suspected TB?
- CXR
- ESR/CRP
- HIV testing
- LFT
- sample for microbiology = sputum smear and culture
What will the CXR of a TB post primary disease pt show?
- upper lobe consolidation
- apical segment lower lobe
- cavitation
- volume loss
- lymphadenopathy
- pleural effusion
- pneumothorax
What treatments are given in TB? In the initial phase and continuation phase.
Initial phase (2 months) = isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, ethambutol
Continuation phase (4 months) = rifampicin, isoniazid
How long after pneumonia should patients start to feel well again?
AFTER:
- 1 week = fever resolved
- 4 weeks = chest pain + sputum reduced
- 6 weeks = cough + breathlessness reduced
- 3 months = fatigue still present
- 6 months = most feel back to normal