UKMLA Cardiology Flashcards
What is the 2 week referral indication for a patient with a systolic murmur?
Systolic murmur AND exertional syncope
What is the target INR for a mechanical aortic valve?
3.0
What is the target INR for a mechanical mitral valve?
3.5
What is the mean pressure gradient value for severe aortic stenosis?
> 40 mmHg
What is the valve area value for severe aortic stenosis?
- Valve area of <1.0 cm2
What is the peak velocity across the aortic valve that is consistent for severe aortic stenosis?
- Peak velocity >4 m/sec
What is the most common cause of aortic stenosis?
Senile age-related calcification
Rheumatic heart disease
What type of cardiac hypertrophy is associated with aortic stenosis?
Concentric hypertrophy
What type of murmur is associated with aortic stenosis?
Ejection systolic crescendo-decrescendo murmur - radiating to the carotid arteries
On examination what pulse pressure presentation is observed in aortic stenosis?
Narrow pulse pressure
Slow-rising pulse
What happens to the S2 sound in aortic stenosis?
Soft S2
What murmur examination finding is associated with severe disease?
Murmur progression then regression
What is the first line investigation for suspected aortic stenosis?
Echocardiography
Which type of aortic valve replacement is recommended in younger patients?
Metallic valve
What type of hypertrophic remodelling is associated with aortic regurgitation?
Eccentric hypertrophy
Which antihypertensive medication increases uric acid and increases the risk of gout?
Thiazide e.g., indapamide
What type of murmur is associated with aortic regurgitation?
Early diastolic murmur
A water hammer pulse is associated with which valvular pathology?
Aortic regurgitation
What is the mot common cause of aortic regurgitation?
Congenital valve abnormalities e.g., bicuspid aortic valve
Rheumatic heart disease
Which sign describes head nodding in time with the pulse in AR?
De Musset’s sign
Which sign describes visible pulsations in the nailbed in AR?
Quincke’s sign
Which sign describes visible pulsations in the neck in AR?
Corrigan’s sign
Which specific coronary artery supplies the atrioventricular node?
Posterior interventricular artery branching off from the RCA
Fixed splitting of the second heart sound suggests which septal defect?
Atrial septal defect
Which drug is the most effective to reduce triglyceride concentration?
Fibrates
What are the first line prophylactic anti-anginal medication indicated in a patient with asthma?
Rate limiting CCB e.g., diltiazem/verapamil
What test is used for confirming the diagnosis of rheumatic fever?
Antistreptolysin O test
What is the first line management for an aortic dissection?
Intravenous labetalol
What is the gold-standard investigation in a patient who is clinically stable?
CT angiography of the chest, abdomen and pelvis
What is the first line management of Kawasaki disease?
Intravenous immunoglobulin
Which serum blood test is recommended for the diagnosis of heart failure?
Plasma NT-pro-BNP
Prior to starting ACE inhibitors, what disorder should be excluded first?
Renal artery stenosis
What is the first line management for patients with heart failure without pulmonary oedema?
ACE inhibitors
What is the first line of investigation to confirm acute anaphylaxis?
Serum tryptase
What is the most common risk factor for aortic dissection?
Hypertension
What type of aortic dissection is proximal to the brachiocephalic artery?
Type A
What classification system is used for aortic dissection?
DeBakey/Stanford
Which genetic syndromes are associated with aortic dissection?
Marfan Syndrome, Ehlers–Danlos Syndrome, Turner syndrome and bicuspid aortic valve.
What is the characteristic presentation of an aortic dissection?
Sudden onset tearing chest pain
Where does the pain radiate to in a descending aortic dissection?
Interscapular and lower back pain
What happens to the pulse in an aortic dissection?
Pulse deficit (>20 mmHg)
Which type of aortic dissection is associated with a diastolic? murmur?
Type A (Ascending)
What ECG changes are associated with an aortic dissection?
ST-segment depression
What chest radiograph sign is observed in an aortic dissection?
Widening of the mediastinum
Aortic knob
What is the definitive investigation for an aortic dissection (stable patients)?
CT angiography
What is the definitive investigation for unstable patients with an aortic dissection?
Transoesophageal echocardiography
What is the first line management for a confirmed type A aortic dissection?
Labetalol and immediate surgical repair (open aortic arch replacement/total endovascular repair)
What is the management for a confirmed type B aortic dissection?
Labetalol
What is the main complication associated with a type A aortic dissection?
Aortic regurgitation
An aortic aneurysm is characterised by a diameter of ?
> 3.0cm (x 1.5 normal diameter(
When does the AAA screening programme begin in the UK?
65 and over
What is the investigation of choice for an AAA?
Abdominal ultrasound scan
What is the frequency of investigation for a small AAA (3 - 4.4 cm)?
Repeat scan every 12 months
What is the frequency of investigation for a medium AAA (4.5 - 5.4 cm)?
Repeat scan every 3 months
What is the cut-off for an urgent AAA (referral for a vascular surgeon within 2 weeks)?
> 5.5 cm
What are the referral criteria for an AAA?
- Symptomatic
- Asymptomatic, >4.0 cm AND has grown by more >1.0 cm in 1 year (measured inner-to-inner maximum anterior-posterior aortic diameter on ultrasound).
- Asymptomatic and >5.5 cm.
Definition of persistent AF?
> 7 days
Definition of paroxysmal AF?
Episodes that last >30s that terminate spontaneously or with intervention within 7 days of onset
What ECG findings are observed in patients with AF?
Absence of distinct repeating P waves, irregular atrial activations, irregularly irregular R-R intervals + narrow QRS complex.
* Consider a 24-hour ambulatory ECG monitor if suspected and not detected on standard ECG.
What is the first line management for AF >48 hours of presentation)?
Rate control with a beta-blocker or a rate-limiting calcium channel blocker
Provide examples of a rate-limiting calcium channel blocker:
diltiazem
verapamil
If the maximum tolerated dose of rate limiting drugs are ineffective what is recommended for AF?
Digoxin
What is the management for stable onset AF <48 hours?
Admission for cardioversion
What is the management of AF >48 hours with no reversible causes?
CHA2DS2-VASc score: Start DOAC and beta-blocker or rate limiting CCB
What scoring system is used to assess stroke risk in patient with AF?
CHA2DS2-VASc score
When should a review be scheduled in a patient with AF treated with rate control?
Within 1 week
What are the parameters and score of the CHA2DS2—VASc score?
- Congestive heart failure/left ventricular dysfunction = 1
- Hypertension (>140 mmHg systolic/>90 mmHg diastolic) = 1
- Age (>75 year) = 2
- Diabetes mellitus (fasting plasma glucose >7.0 mmol/L) = 1
- Stroke/transient ischaemic attack = 2
- Vascular disease (prior to myocardial infarction, peripheral arterial disease or aortic plaque) = 1
- Age 65-74 years = 1
- Sex category (female) = 1
What is the cut off for starting a DOAC in a man and woman with AF?
2 or above - woman
1 - man
What is the preferred anticoagulation in patients with AF?
Apixaban, dabigatran, edoxavban and rivaroxaban
When is anticoagulation contraindicated in patients with AF?
Left atrial appendage occlusion
What is the absolute contraindication for apixaban in the management of AF?
Antiphospholipid syndrome and positive lupus anticoagulant
What anticoagulant should be prescribed in patients with AF (with antiphospholipid syndrome)?
Warfarin
What score is used to assess the risk of bleeding in AF?
ORBIT bleeding score
When should electrical cardioversion be performed in patients with AF?
AF <48 hours of onset
Haemodynamic instability
How long should anticoagulation be initiated until cardioversion in persistent AF?
3 weeks
Which AF drug is contraindicated in structural heart disease?
Flecainide
What is the anticoagulation of choice for patients with valvular AF?
Warfarin
QRS duration for narrow complex tachycardia?
QRS <120 ms
What is the first line investigation for SVT?
ECG followed by a Holter monitor and EPS
What is the first line management for SVT?
Vagal manoeuvres
Following Vagal manoeuvres , what is the next step of management for SVT?
Adenosine 6 mg
What is the drug of choice for SVT in a patient with asthma?
verapamil
If drug management is ineffective in SVT, what is the next step in management?
Synchronised DC cardioversion
What are the adverse effects associated with adenosine?
Chest pain
Bronchospasm
Transient flushing
What is the definitive management for SVT?
Radiofrequency catheter ablation
Which structure is implicated in Wolff–Parkinson–White Syndrome?
Bundle of Kent
What characteristic ECG findings are associated with Wolff–Parkinson–White Syndrome?
Delate wave - short PR interval and pre-excitation
What is the management of unstable Wolff–Parkinson–White Syndrome?
Synchronised DC shock
What is the management of stable Wolff–Parkinson–White Syndrome?
Sotalol, amiodarone, flecainide
What is the most common risk factor for ventricular tachycardia?
Ischaemic heart diseae
Congenital cause of prolonged QT interval (2)?
- Jervell–Lange–Nielsen Syndrome (includes deafness – abnormal potassium channel).
- Romano–Ward
Which drugs are associated with prolonged QT?
- Amiodarone, sotalol, class 1a antiarrhythmic drugs
- Tricyclic antidepressants, fluoxetine
- Chloroquine
- Terfenadine
- Erythromycin, clarithromycin
What is the management for pulseless VT?
Immediate unsynchronised cardioversion
CPR 30:2 and 300 mg amiodarone
What is the management for VT (unstable)?
Synchronised shock (up to 3) + amiodarone
What is an alternative to amiodarone in the management of VT?
Procainamide 50 mg/min, lignocaine
What is the first line management for stable VT?
300 mg amiodarone
Which drug is contraindicated for VT?
Verapamil
What is the ICD criteria for VT?
- Sustained VT causing syncope
- Sustained VT with EF <35%
- Previous cardiac arrest due to VT/VF
- MI complicated by non-sustained VT
QTc threshold in men?
450 ms
QTc threshold in women?
460 ms
What is the management for Torsades des pointes?
IV Magnesium Sulphate
QRS duration for wide-complex tachycardia?
> 120 ms
What is the first line management for VF?
Urgent defibrillation and CPR (30:2) – continue for 2 minutes then pause briefly to check the monitor (non-synchronised DC shock).
Maximum number of shocks for VF?
3
What drug should be prescribed following the third shock in VF?
1 mg adrenaline and 300 mg amiodarone
How frequently should 1 mg of IV adrenaline be prescribed in VF?
every 3-5 minutes
What are the two non-shockable rhytmns?
Pulseless electrical activity
Asystole
What are the 4H’s and 4 T’s?
- Hypovolaemia
- Hypoxia
- Hypokalaemia/hyperkalaemia
- Hypothermia
4 Ts:
1. Tension pneumothorax
2. Trauma
3. Tamponade
4. Thrombosis
What is the first step in managing PEA/Asystole?
CPR with a 30:2 ratio AND 1 mg IV adrenaline
Which artery is responsible for supplying the AV node?
Right coronary artery
What is the normal PR interval?
120-200 ms
Which type of AV block is characterised by a constant prolonged PR interval?
Type 1
What is the management for Type 1 AV block?
Reassurance - normal physiological variant
Which type of AV block is characterised by a progressive prolongation of the PR interval?
2nd degree - Mobitz type I