Vascular 1 Flashcards
What is the protocol if blood pressure is measured above 140/90 in clinic?
Offer ABPM to confirm diagnosis
What is stage 1 HTN?
Clinic >140/90
ABPM >135/85
What is stage 2 HTN?
Clinic >160/100
ABPM/HBPM >150/95
What is Severe HTN?
SBP >180
or DBP >110
What is the causes of primary HTN?
Unknown… likely to be multifactorial
What are the causes of secondary HTN?
Adrenal cortical disease: primary hyperaldosteronism (e.g. Conn’s) - most common secondary cause
Cushing’s / Acromegaly
Renal artery stenosis - second most common cause
CKD
PCC: rare - HTN initially paroxysmal, presenting with sweating, pallor and palps
CoA: congenital narrowing of the aorta, leading to peripheral vascular resistance
Neurogenic: raised ICP
Pregnancy
What is benign hypertension?
Gradual elevation of blood pressure over years
This leads to gradual hypertrophy of the muscular media in artery walls, reducing their capacity to expand and increasing their fragility
What is malignant hypertension?
Rapid sustained increase in blood pressure
leads to intimal proliferation, reducing the luminal size and leading to cessation of blood flow through the small vessels
Foci of tissue necrosis e.g. in the glomeruli
Carries an untreated 1 year mortality of 20%
How is malignant hypertension diagnosed?
SBP >200 or DBP >120 AND bilateral retinal haemorrhages/exudates
papilloedema may be present
What are the pathological consequences of HTN?
Heart: left ventricular hypertrophy with dilation and eventual failure
Aorta: AAA and aortic dissection
Brain: intracerebral haemorrhage due to vessel rupture
Kidney: CKD due to progressive nephron ischaemia and glomerular destruction
Eyes: Hypertensive retinopathy
How should a hypertensive patient be assessed?
Full Hx: any features of malignant HTN? Headaches, epistaxis, fits, LOC
Any sx of secondary causes: PCC/CKD/Conn’s/IHD
Examination: funsocopy, CV exam
Hypertensive: AV nipping/flame shaped haemorrhages/cotton wool spots
Malignant HTN: bilateral papilloedema
Features of LVH/LVF
Assess for secondary causes (RAS, CKD, radio femoral delay)
What further investigations should be done following initial assessment for HTN?
Urine dip: renal damage
ECG: LVH
Echo: LVF
Assess for secondary causes
RAS - renal artery doppler
CKD: U&Es, eGFR
PCC: 3x 24 hour urine collections for free met adrenaline and normetadrenaline
Assess overall CV risk: HbA1c, lipids for Qrisk2
What is the first line treatment for HTN?
Lifestyle: weight loss, increasing exercise, decreasing alcohol, caffeine, sodium intake and stopping smoking
When should medication be started for HTN?
All with stage 2 HTN
Under 80 with stage 1 and one of the following:
10 year CV risk >20%
Other co-morbidities such as renal disease, known CV disease and organ damage
What is the target blood pressure following medical control?
<140/90
<150/90 if over 80
Home: 135/85
145/85 if aged >80
What is the treatment algorithm for HTN?
- <55 and non/black: ACEi (unless diabetic in which case ACEi regardless of age)
Older >55 or black: CCB - A+C or D
- A+C+ diuretic
- Add alpha blocker / spironolactone / other diuretic / beta blocker
If potassium <4.5 spironolactone, if <4.5, another drug
ACEi e.g.s
mode of action?
Ramipril, lisinopril
Act by RAAS antagonism
Who are ACEi used in?
<55
diabetics (renoprotective) regardless of age
What are the side effects of ACEi?
dry cough (due to potentiation of bradykinin) Switch to AT1 receptor antagonists e.g. candesartan/losartan
(block action of AT2 at AT1 receptor)
HYPERKALAEMIA
First dose hypotension
Worsened renal failure in those with previously ‘normal’ GFR
Monitor U+Es when initiating
contraindicated in renal artery stenosis
Can occasionally cause angioedema
CCB e.g.s?
MOA
Amlodipine / nifedipine - dihydropyridines
peripheral vasodilatation
Who are CCBs used in?
> 55
Afro-caribbean descent
What are the side effects of CCB?
Peripheral oedema (ankle swelling)
Postural hypotension
Reflex tachycardia
What if monotherapy is ineffective?
combined ACEi and CCB or Diuretic
Then add loop diuretic e.g. furosemide
then, if potassium <4.5 - spironolactone
if potassium >4.5, thiazide/thiazide like drug will be used (bendroflumothiazide)
What is hyperlipidaemia?
abnormally high levels of one/more lipoproteins in the plasma
What is primary hyperlipidaemia caused by?
due to a genetic predisposition to abnormal lipid metabolism e.g. familial hypercholesterolaemia
What is secondary hyperlipidaemia caused by?
a systemic metabolic disturbance e.g. obesity, alcoholism, diabetes