Chest Pain Flashcards

1
Q

Approximately what % of patients presenting to AandE with chest pain will have a cardiovascular aetiology?

A

25%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is the most common cause of myocardial ischaemia ?

A

Coronary artery disease (atherosclerosis)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Give 6 other potential causes of myocardial ischaemia

A
  1. Aortic stenosis
  2. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
  3. Tachyarrythmias
  4. Cocaine use
  5. Anemia
  6. Thyrotoxicosis
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What are the 2 non ischaemic cardiovascular causes of chest pain?

A
  1. Aortic dissection

2. Pericarditis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Name 4 upper GI conditions that may cause chest pain

A
  1. GORD (gastro-oesophageal reflux disease)
  2. Gallstones
  3. Peptic Ulcer
  4. Pancreatitis
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Give 4 respiratory conditions that may present with chest pain

A
  1. PE
  2. Pneumothorax
  3. Pneumonia
  4. Pleurisy
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Give a MSK differential of chest pain

A

Costochondritis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

How is visceral pain commonly characterised?

A

Diffuse/ poorly localised

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Which chest pain differential is associated with a very sudden onset?

A

PE

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Chest pain described as ‘pressure, heavy, tight’ is most likely one of which two differentials?

A
  1. ACS - Acute coronary syndrome

2. GORD

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Severe ‘ripping’ chest pain is associated with which differential?

A

Aortic dissection

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Sharp, ‘stabbing’ chest pain commonly refers to what?

A

Pleuritic pain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Which differential of chest pain is associated with referred pain to the right shoulder?

A

Cholecystitis (Gallstones)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Which 3 chest pain differentials are most closely associated with hypotension/ syncope?

A
  1. PE
  2. ACS
  3. Aortic Stenosis
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Give 4 differentials that can be associated with positional chest pain

A
  1. Pericarditis
  2. GORD
  3. MSK pain
  4. Pancreatitis
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Which physical examinations are appropriate on a patient presenting with chest pain?

A
  1. CV
  2. Resp
  3. Abdo
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What are the 3 characteristics of ‘typical’ angina?

A
  1. Constricting discomfort in the front of the chest, or in the neck, shoulders, jaw or arm
  2. Precipitated by physical exertion
  3. Relieved by rest or GTN within around 5 minutes
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Define atypical angina

A

Chest discomfort which meets two of the 3 characteristics of typical angina

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Give the main risk factors associated with developing coronary artery disease? (6)

A
  1. Age
  2. Gender
  3. Diabetes
  4. Hyperlipidaemia
  5. Smoking
  6. Hypertension
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What is a collapsing pulse primarily an indicator of?

A

Aortic regurgitation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Define ‘thrills’ felt on clinical examination of the chest

A

Palpable murmurs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What do parasternal heaves indicate on clinical examination?

A

Right ventricular hypertrophy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Name the first line diagnostic investigation for suspected stable angina

A

64 slice CT coronary angiography

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What is the normal range of the PR interval on an ECG?

A

0.12-0.2 seconds

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

At what size is the QRS wave deemed to be broad complex?

A

> 0.12 seconds

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

Which 3 ECG changes can indicate the presence of coronary artery disease

A
  1. Pathological Q waves
  2. LBBB
  3. ST segment or T wave abnormalities
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

What do pathological Q waves indicate on ECG?

A

Current or prior myocardial infarction

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

What are the characteristics of pathological Q waves? (4)

A
  1. > 40ms wide
  2. > 2mm deep
  3. > 25% of the depth of the QRS complex
  4. Seen in leads V1-V3
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

What are the ECG characteristics of LBBB? (3)

A
  1. Broad QRS
  2. Deep S wave in V1
  3. No Q waves in V5/V6
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

Name the 3 main types of cardiovascular disease seen in the UK

A
  1. Coronary artery disease
  2. Stroke
  3. Peripheral artery disease
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

What are the 9 modifiable risk factors most closely associated with an individual patient’s risk of having a heart attack?

A
  1. Smoking
  2. Poor diet
  3. High blood cholesterol
  4. Hypertension
  5. Insufficient physical activity
  6. Overweight
  7. Diabetes
  8. Psychosocial stress
  9. Excessive alcohol consumption
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

The closure of which 2 heart valves cause the S1 heart sound?

A

Mitral and tricuspid valves

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

The closure of which 2 heart valves causes the S2 heart sound?

A

Aortic and pulmonary valves

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

Characterise the heart murmur: Aortic Stenosis

A

Systolic ejection murmur - crescendo-decrescendo murmur

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

In which area is an aortic stenosis murmur best heard?

A

Aortic area - 2nd intercostal space, right sternal edge

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

Characterise the heart murmur: Mitral Regurgitation

A

Pan-systolic murmur

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

To what area will mitral regurgitation radiate to?

A

Axilla

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

Characterise the murmur associated with mitral valve prolapse

A

A mid-systolic non ejection click

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

Mitral valve prolapse is commonly concurrent with which other form of valve disease?

A

Mitral regurgitation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
40
Q

Characterise the heart murmur: Aortic regurgitation

A

Decrescendo early diastolic murmur

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
41
Q

Characterise the heart murmur: Mitral stenosis

A

Opening snap following by a mid diastolic rumble

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
42
Q

The ‘opening snap’ extra heart sound is associated with which heart murmur?

A

Mitral stenosis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
43
Q

A systolic ejection click is associated with which heart murmur?

A

Aortic stenosis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
44
Q

A non ejection systolic click is associated with which form of heart valve disease?

A

Mitral valve prolapse

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
45
Q

In which chest position are added heart sounds best heard?

A

Mitral area (5th intercostal space midclavicular line) with the patient lying in the left lateral decubitus position.

46
Q

An S3 heart sound is caused by what type of pathology?

A

Volume overload

47
Q

An S3 heart sound is most commonly associated with which medical condition?

A

Congestive Heart Failure

48
Q

An S4 heart sound is caused by what type of pathology?

A

Pressure overload

49
Q

An S3 heart sound is also referred to as what?

A

A ventricular gallop

50
Q

An S4 heart sound is also referred to as what?

A

An atrial gallop

51
Q

How should patients with acute onset chest pain be monitored before a diagnosis is made? (4)

A
  1. Track changes in pain + offer appropriate pain relief
  2. Regular ECGs
  3. Observations - including heart rate and BP
  4. Pulse oximetry
52
Q

Outline the 4 broad stages of acute coronary syndrome pathophysiology

A
  1. Acute thrombosis induced by a ruptured atherosclerotic plaque
  2. Vasoconstriction
  3. Critical reduction in coronary blood flow
  4. Clinical sequelae of ACS
53
Q

Give 2 clinical scenarios in which an ECG may be normal in a patient suffering from ACS

A
  1. Ischaemia in the circumflex territory

2. Isolated RV ischaemia

54
Q

How is the ischaemic risk of a patient with ACE evaluated?

A

GRACE score

55
Q

How is the bleeding risk of a patient with ACS evaluated?

A

CRUSADE score

56
Q

Drug treatment of ACS can be split into which 3 categories?

A
  1. Anti- ischaemic agents
  2. Antiplatelets
  3. Anticoagulation
57
Q

What are the 3 traditional anti-ischaemic agents used in the treatment of ACS?

A
  1. Beta-blockers
  2. Nitrates
  3. Calcium channel blockers
58
Q

Name 3 novel anti-ischaemic agents that have recently been introduced in clinical practise for the treatment of ACS

A
  1. Nicorandil
  2. Ivabridine
  3. Ranolazine
59
Q

Give 3 examples of P2Y12 receptor inhibitors

A
  1. Clopidogrel
  2. Prasugrel
  3. Ticagrelor
60
Q

What are the 2 classes of anti platelet agents used in the treatment of ACS patients

A
  1. Aspirin

2. P2Y12 receptor inhibitors

61
Q

Give 3 examples of indirect anticoagulants

A
  1. Unfractionated heparin
  2. LMWH
  3. Factor Xa inhibitors
62
Q

Name a factor Xa inhibitor that acts an an indirect anticoagulant

A

Fondaparinux

63
Q

Name 2 factor Xa inhibitors that act as direct anticoagulants

A
  1. Apixaban

2. Rivaroaxaban

64
Q

Give 3 examples of direct anticoagulants

A
  1. Bivalirudin
  2. Dabigatran
  3. Factor Xa inhibitors
65
Q

What are the 5 key management steps in ACS

A
  1. Clinical evaluation
  2. Diagnosis and risk assessment
  3. Drug therapy and invasive strategy
  4. Revascularisation decision
  5. Post discharge and long term management
66
Q

How will a tachycardia affect blood flow to the heart?

A

Reduced blood flow through the coronary arteries as the duration of diastole is shortened considerably

67
Q

From which anatomical structure do the coronary arteries arise?

A

Aortic sinuses

68
Q

Deoxygenated venous blood is returned to the right ventricle from the coronary system by which vessel?

A

Coronary sinus

69
Q

Give 2 examples of biomarkers that can be used to indicate myocardial necrosis in patients with ACS

A
  1. Troponins

2. Creatine Kinase

70
Q

Which troponin types are considered to be cardio-specific?

A

Troponin I and T

71
Q

Give 2 states that may lead to ‘irritable ventricular cells’ i.e. tendency to induce VF.

A
  1. Coronary artery disease

2. Electrolyte abnormalities

72
Q

Name 2 causes of cardiac scar tissue.

A
  1. MI

2. Cardiomyopathy

73
Q

What are the 3 main causes of cardiomyopathy?

A
  1. Infections
  2. Genetic conditions
  3. Coronary artery disease (CAD)
74
Q

Give 2 viruses that can potential cause cardiomyopathy.

A
  1. Coxsackie B virus

2. HIV

75
Q

What are the 3 main types of inherited cardiomyopathy?

A
  1. Hypertrophic
  2. Dilated
  3. Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC)
76
Q

Give 6 potential causes of dilated cardiomyopathy

A
  1. Genetic condition (hereditary)
  2. Viral infection
  3. Uncontrolled hypertension
  4. Valvular heart disease
  5. Alcohol excess
  6. Pregnancy
77
Q

What is the alternative name for Takotsubo cardiomyopathy?

A

Broken heart syndrome - brought about my extreme emotional or physical stress.

78
Q

Recall the 2 categories of ventricular tachycardia

A
  1. Focal

2. Re-entrant

79
Q

Give 3 electrolyte abnormalities that can cause VT

A
  1. Hyperkalemia
  2. Hypocalcaemia
  3. Hypomagnesemia
80
Q

How do patients often describe palpitations?

A

Feel as if their heart is beating out of their chest

81
Q

Recall 4 cardiac risk factors associated with development of SVT

A
  1. Inherited conditions
  2. Structural abnormalities
  3. Coronary artery disease
  4. Heart Failure
82
Q

Classify the drug: Ivabradine

A

Nucleotide gated I(f) channel blocker - serves to slow the heart rate

83
Q

Classify the drug Nicorandil

A

Potassium channel activator and NO donor

84
Q

Classify the drug Ranolazine

A

Blocks sodium dependent calcium channels

85
Q

Define Prinzmetal’s angina

A

A form of variable angina caused by vasospasm of the coronary arteries that occurs at rest. Predominantly in the early hours of the morning.

86
Q

What is cardiac syndrome X?

A

Otherwise known as microvascular angina. It is a condition where clinical signs of myocardial ischaemia are present but the coronary arteries remain patent.

87
Q

Classify the drug dobutamine

A

A positive inotropic sympathomimetic

88
Q

Give a contra-indication for the administration of dobutamine

A

Phaeochromocytoma

89
Q

Define ‘stunned myocardium’

A

Temporary, reversible cardiac muscle dysfunction secondary to some form of insult.

90
Q

List 4 potential complications that can occur with the tissue necrosis associated with an MI

A
  1. Inflammation of the myocardium leading to pericarditis
  2. Ventricular septal defects
  3. Ventricular rupture - leading to cardiac tamponade
  4. Papillary muscle rupture - leading to valvular regurgitation
91
Q

With an inferior STEMI, ST elevation is predominantly found in which leads?

A

Leads II, III and aVF

92
Q

With a posterior STEMI, ST elevation is predominantly found in which leads?

A

Leads V7-9

93
Q

With a lateral STEMI, ST elevation is predominantly found in which leads?

A

Leads V5-V6, I and aVL

94
Q

With a septal STEMI, ST elevation is predominantly found in which leads?

A

Leads V1-V2

95
Q

With an anterior STEMI, ST elevation is predominantly found in which leads?

A

Leads V3-V4

96
Q

Give 3 types of MI which are brought about by LAD lesions

A
  1. Septal
  2. Anterior
  3. Lateral
97
Q

What is the most common form of MI?

A

RCA occlusion leading to an inferior MI

98
Q

Give 2 examples of tissue plasminogen activators

A
  1. Alteplase

2. Tenecteplase

99
Q

Post MI statin therapy aims for what LDL level?

A

<1.8mmol/L

100
Q

When are Beta-blockers prescribed for LV impairment?

A

When LVEF <40%

101
Q

Give 2 examples of aldosterone antagonists

A
  1. Spironolactone

2. Eplenerone

102
Q

What is Orlistat?

A

A lipase inhibitor i.e. reduces the absorption of dietary fats. In rare cases this is used to medicated extreme obesity.

103
Q

How can left and right atrial enlargement be distinguished on ECG?

A

Right atrial enlargement - Tall tented P waves

Left atrial enlargement - Bifid P waves

104
Q

Define an ‘Osborne wave’

A

A J wave = a positive deflection at the J point (end of the QRS complex.

105
Q

What does an Osborne wave indicate on ECG?

A

Characteristic of hypothermia

106
Q

Define an Epsilon wave

A

Small positive deflection at the end of the QRS complex

107
Q

What does an Epsilon wave indicate on ECG?

A

Characteristic of arhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia

108
Q

Where are extra heart sounds best heard?

A

In the left lateral decubitus position over the mitral area

109
Q

Excluding troponins, give 2 other potential cardiac markers

A
  1. Creatine kinase

2. Myoglobin

110
Q

Name the 2 shockable heart rhythms

A
  1. Ventricular fibrillation

2. Pulseless ventricular tachycardia

111
Q

Name the 2 non-shockable heart rhythms

A
  1. Asystole

2. Pulseless electrical activity