Cardiac Flashcards
Explain the pathogenesis of Atherosclerosis
- Endothelial injury causes accumulation of LDL
- LDL enters intima and is trapped in sub-intimal space
- LDL is converted into modified and oxidized LDL causing inflammation
- Macrophages take up ox/modLDL via scavenger receptors and become** foam cells**
- Apoptosis of foam cells causes inflammation and cholesterol core of plaque
- Increase in adhesion molecules on endothelium due to inflammation results in more macrophages and T cells entering the plaque
- Vascular smooth muscle cells form the fibrous cap, segregating thrombogenic core from lumen
What are the cellular components of an atheroscelrotic plaque?
- Macrophages (with injestion of LDL turn into Foam Cells)
- Lymphocytes (T>B) : involved in inflammatory process and progession of plaque formation
- Smooth muscle cells
What sites of the aorta are most predisposed to the development of atheromas?
Why?
- More common in abdominal than thoracic aorta
More common in origins (ostia) of major branches → turbulent blood flow has low/oscillatory shear stress, which is atherogenic
What is the definition of stable and unstable angina?
Stable: pain on exertion, predictable, relieved by rest (~70% vessel occlusion)
Unstable: pain at rest also. High likelihood of impending infarction (usually >90% occluded)
What is Prinzmetal angina?
Rare, due to coronary artery spasm rather than atherosclerosis (seen in young, japanese women, associated with cocaine use or other vasospastic conditions)
How does a atherrosclerotic plaque rupture lead to MI?
Higher risk in unstable atherosclerotic plaques (thin, fibrous cap (often weakened due to inflammation and metalloproteases secreted by macrophages) with thick lipid core)
Rupure –> superimposed platelet activation → thrombosis and vasospasm → occlusive intracoronary thrombus overlying disrupted plaque
What is the difference between a plaque rupture and atheroma erosion?
Rupture: exposure of lipid core of plaque into lumne, usually associated with formation of red thrombus
Erosion: exposes prothrombogenic subendothelial basement membrane (usually leads to formation of white plaque
When does cardiac ischaemia lead to irreversible cell damage?
Usually after 20-30 minutes after ischaemia
Which cardiac vessle is the most common site of MIs?
50% in LAD
40% in RCA
(and 20% in LCx)
What part of the heart is supplied by the LAD?
ant wall LV, ant septum, apex
What parts of the heart are supplied by the LCx?
lat LV not apex
What part of the heart is supplied by the RCA?
lat LV not apex
What histological changes are seen 1-6h post-MI?
None
What histological changes are seen 6-24h after an MI?
loss of nuclei, homogenous cytoplasm necrotic cell death
What histoloigical changes are seen 1-3 days post-MI?
Infiltration of polymorphs then macrophages (clear up debris)
What histological changes are seen 1-2 weeks post-MI?
granulation tissue, new blood vessels, myofibroblasts, collagen synthesis
What histological changes are seen >2 months after anMI?
strengthening, decellularising scar
What are common causes of Heart failure?
- Ischaemic heart disease
- Myocarditis
- Hypertension
- Cardiomyopathy (dilated)
Others include
* Valve disease
* Arrhythmias
What is cardiomyopathy?
What is the most common sub-type of cardiomyopathy?
Cardiomyopathy are diseases of the heart muscle
The most common sub-type is Dilatead cardiomyopathy
How does dilated cardiomyopathy lead to heart failure?
In dilated cardiomyopathy muscle wall is too thin and leads to **systolic dysfunction due to decreased LV contractility and reduced EF ** –> initially LV then RV heart failure
What is the differnce between Hypertrophic - and Hypertrophic-Obstructive Cardiomyopathy?
Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) occurs when hypertrophy of the interventricular septum and systolic anterior movement (SAM) of the mitral valve leaflet results in the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction
What is genetic HCM?
What gene mutation is most commonly affected?
Hypertrohic cardiomyopathy is a genetic autosomal dominant condition
70% are HOCM , 30% HCM (non-onbstructive)
Usually caused by mutation in βMHC (β-myosin) gene, but other mutations can also be causative
What is restrictive cardiomyopathy?
What are some causes of restrictive cardiomyopathy?
Stiffness of the myocardium resulting in decreased diastolic function
Many aetiologies
Can be sub-devided into
1. Infiltrative (e.g. Sarcoid, Amyloidosis)
2. Storage(e.g. haemochromatosis, iron overload)
3. Endomyocardial(e.g. endomyocardial fibrosis autoimmune disease)
What is acute rheumatic fever?
What systems are invovled in the development of rheumatic fever?
Multi-system inflammatory disease occuring 2-4 weeks after untreated group A streptococcus infection (GAS)
Systems involved are
1. Heart (pericarditis, valvular disorders)
2. Joints: arthritis
3. Skin: erythema marginatum, subcutaneous nodules
4. CNS: Encephalopathy
What is the epidemiology of Acute rheumatic fever?
Peak incidence 5-15 years
Less common in the UK now, more common in resource-limited countries
How is acute rheumatic fever diagnosed?
- Evidence of recent GAS infection (throat culture, antigen or antibody testing)
- Diagnosis via revised Jones criteria (2 Major or 1 Major + 2 Minor)
Acute rheumatic fever can lead to formation of valvular vagitations due to molecular mimicry.
What would the characteristics of the vegetation be?
Small, warty vegetations found along the lines of closure of valve leaflet - ‘verrucae’.
A pathologcy cardiac specimin shows
Large, irregular masses on valve cusps, extending into the chordae. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Typical presentation of Infective endocarditis –> Colonisation or invasion of heart valves or mural endocardium by microbe
