WEEK 5 - central chest pain Flashcards
define atherosclerosis
a chronic inflammatory process triggered by the accumulation of cholesterol-containing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles in the arterial wall
when does coronary flow predominantly occur? why?
diastole — the coronary arteries run within the epicardial layers of the heart. the smaller branches penetrate through the muscle layers to take blood tot he deeper layers of the myocardium. therefore coronary flow occurs when the myocardium is relaxed and the smaller coronary vessels are not squeezed by contracting myocardium
how does tachycardia affect coronary blood flow?
Tachycardia increases myocardial oxygen demand (as the heart has to beat faster and hence do more work) and decreases coronary blood flow (as the duration of diastole is shortened considerably)
what are the main branches of the RCA/LCA?
RCA —> right marginal and posterior descending
LCA —> left anterior descending, left circumflex and left marginal
coronary arteries originate from the __________ ( small bulges above the aorta above the ___________)
- aortic sinuses
- aortic valve
The coronary sinus is a large venous structure located on the ________ aspect of the _____ atrium, coursing within the _____ ___________ _______. it delivers deoxygenated blood to the ____ atrium
- posterior
- left
- left atrioventricular groove
- right
what is the most likely condition from this description?
sudden onset pleuritic pain either left or right sided, with associated dyspnoea and syncope
pneumothorax
what is the most likely condition from this description?
Pain typically persistent (typically days or longer), worsened with passive and active motion and sometimes reproducible chest tenderness.
MSK
what is the most likely condition from this description?
Constant or intermittent central pleuritic sharp pain often aggravated by position (classically worse on lying down and relieved by sitting or leaning forward)
pericarditis
what is the most likely condition from this description?
Sudden onset pleuritic pain with associated dyspnoea and tachycardia. Sometimes mild fever, haemoptysis and syncope
pulmonary embolism
what are symptoms of ACS: STEMI, NSTEMI + unstable angina?
- acute, crushing pain radiating to the jaw or arm
- exertional pain relieved by rest
what are signs of ACS: STEMI, NSTEMI + unstable angina?
- sinus tachycardia
- xanthelasma
- tar staining on fingers
- a new murmur of MR (pan-systolic murmur)
what are symptoms of stable angina?
- Exertional pain/discomfort in the centre or left side of chest, throat, neck or jaw relieved by rest or GTN within a few minutes
- May radiate to neck, jaw or left arm
- Sometimes there may not be any pain but breathlessness (angina equivalent
what is examination usually like for stable angina?
Examination usually normal except indication of risk factors, e.g., xanthelasma, tar staining on fingers
what are symptoms of thoracic aortic dissection?
- sudden, tearing pain radiating to the back
- some patients have syncope, stroke, or leg ischaemia
what are 2 key signs in thoracic aortic dissection?
pulses paradoxus and difference in BP in both arms
what are 4 risk factors for thoracic aortic dissection?
- high BP
- known aortic aneurysm
- bicuspid aortic valve
- marfan’s syndrome
what are symptoms of myocarditis?
- fever
- dyspnoea
- fatigue
- chest pain (if myopericarditis)
- may be pleuritic
- recent viral or other infection
what are 2 signs of myocarditis?
- fever
- tachycardia
risk factor of myocarditis/pericarditis
recent viral illness
what is pain like in pericarditis?
constant or intermittent sharp pain often aggravated by breathing or position (classically worse on lying down and relieved by sitting or leaning forward)
what are 2 signs of pericarditis?
- tachycardia
- pericardial rub
what are signs and symptoms of a tension pneumothorax?
- significant dyspnoea
- hypotension
- neck vein distension
- tracheal deviation
- unilateral diminished breath sounds
- hyperresonance to percussion
risk factors for tension pneumothorax
- male
- genetic
- smoking
- lung disease eg. emphysema
- marfan’s syndrome
signs and symptoms of pneumonia
- pleuritic chest pain
- fever
- productive cough
- purulent sputum
- reduced air entry
- bronchial breathing
- crepitations
sign of pleurisy?
pleural rub
pain in oesophageal rupture?
- sudden and severe
- following vomiting or instrumentation
- severe epigastic pain with guarding and rigidity
pain in pancreatitis/gallstones/cholecystokinin/hepatitis?
pain in the epigastrium or lower chest that is often worse when lying flat and is relieved by leaning forward