7 Flashcards
(20 cards)
What initiates the pathophysiological sequence leading to a myocardial infarction?
The gradual buildup of an atherosclerotic plaque in a coronary artery, followed by plaque rupture and thrombus formation that limits blood flow to the myocardium.
Which inflammatory cells accumulate in the arterial wall during plaque formation?
Macrophages, neutrophils, and T cells infiltrate the intima and contribute to foam cell formation.
What is the role of foam cells in atherosclerotic plaque development?
Foam cells are macrophages that have ingested lipids; they accumulate in the arterial intima and contribute to plaque growth and instability.
Name three enzymes used to detect myocardial infarction and note one key limitation of each.
Creatine kinase (CK) is sensitive but non-specific; aspartate aminotransferase (AST) can be elevated in liver injury; lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is not heart-specific.
Why might troponin be preferred over CK in later timepoints post-MI?
Troponin remains elevated for a longer duration (up to 7–10 days) and is more specific to cardiac muscle damage.
At approximately how many hours post-infarction does troponin typically become detectable?
Troponin becomes detectable around 4–6 hours after myocardial injury but may not peak until 12–24 hours.
What is the diagnostic role of FABP (fatty acid–binding protein) in MI?
FABP rises very early (within 1–3 hours) after myocardial injury, making it useful for early detection, although it is less specific than troponin.
Describe the timeline differences between CK-MB and troponin elevations post-MI.
CK-MB rises around 4–6 hours, peaks at about 12–24 hours, and returns to baseline by 48–72 hours, whereas troponin rises similarly but remains elevated up to 7–10 days.
How can LDH isoenzyme patterns help confirm an MI?
LDH-1 and LDH-2 patterns reverse (LDH-1 > LDH-2) after MI; this ‘flip’ typically occurs 2–3 days post-infarction.
Why is sampling time critical when interpreting cardiac enzyme levels?
Because each enzyme has a characteristic rise and fall, and collecting blood at peak or trough without considering timing can lead to false negatives or misinterpretation.
Which marker remains elevated longest after an MI, making it useful for late presentations?
LDH (especially LDH-1) can remain elevated up to 10 days, useful if patients present late.
List four components measured in standard liver function tests (LFTs).
Total protein (albumin and globulins), bilirubin (direct and indirect), transaminases (AST and ALT), and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) or alkaline phosphatase (ALP).
What does a low albumin-to-globulin (A/G) ratio suggest?
It may indicate chronic liver disease, inflammation, or increased globulin production (e.g., infection or autoimmune conditions).
Which enzyme is more specific to hepatocellular injury: AST or ALT?
ALT is more specific to the liver, whereas AST is also found in cardiac and skeletal muscle.
How is conjugated (direct) bilirubin formed in the liver?
Unconjugated bilirubin is conjugated by UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) to form water-soluble bilirubin diglucuronide before excretion.
What clinical condition leads to elevated indirect (unconjugated) bilirubin?
Hemolysis or impaired uptake/conjugation in the liver, such as in Gilbert’s syndrome.
Which medications or conditions can raise GGT without hepatic injury?
Chronic alcohol use, anticonvulsants (e.g., phenytoin), or cholestatic conditions can elevate GGT independently of hepatocellular damage.
How does alkaline phosphatase (ALP) elevation help differentiate types of liver injury?
Marked ALP elevation suggests cholestatic or biliary obstruction, whereas minimal ALP rise with high ALT/AST indicates hepatocellular injury.
Which lipoprotein class is most strongly associated with increased risk of atherosclerosis?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is considered ‘bad cholesterol’ because high levels promote plaque formation.
Outline the composition differences between HDL and VLDL particles.
HDL has a high protein-to-lipid ratio (~55% protein) and carries cholesterol away from tissues, whereas VLDL is richer in triglycerides (~50% TAG) and transports endogenous lipids from the liver.
