Cardiovascular Disease Flashcards
— shock —
Name the five main types of shock.
Hypovolaemic, neurogenic, cardiogenic, vasoactive, obstructive
Give some causes of obstructive shock.
Anything that increases intrathoracic pressure - tension pneumothorax, cardiac tamponade, aortic stenosis, pressure
Describe neurogenic shock.
Loss of sympathetic innervation - heart rate decreases
How must shock be treated?
ABCDE, O2, volume replacement if blood loss, inotropes for cardiogenic
— angina —
Describe the aetiology and presentation of angina pectoris.
- the clinical manifestation of myocardial ischaemia, where myocardial oxygen demand exceeds supply
- chest pain (central, retrosternal, crushing, tight, band across the chest) radiating to the arm, neck, or jaw present on exertion and relieved by rest and GTN
Describe the investigation of angina pectoris.
assess the typicality of chest pain according to the three typical symptoms:
- constricting discomfort in the front of the chest, neck, shoulders, jaw, or arms
- precipitated by physical exertion
- relieved by rest/GTN within ~5min
all 3 = typical angina; 2 = atypical angina
ECG is typically normal.
- 1st line: coronary CT angiography (CCTA)
- 2nd line: non-invasive functional testing (e.g. exercise ECG, MPS with SPECT, MR stress imaging)
- 3rd line: invasive coronary angiography
Describe the management of angina pectoris.
non-pharmacological:
- explain precipitants (exertion, emotional stress, exposure to cold, heavy meals)
- safety-netting: seek help if 2 GTN sprays do not relieve pain
- lifestyle advice
pharmacological:
- immediate relief: GTN
- prevention: beta-blockers, CCBs (dihydropyridines)
- cardiovascular risk: 4A’s (atorvastatin, aspirin, atenolol/beta-blocker, ACE inhibitor)
prevention of symptoms:
- monotherapy (B/CCB)
- second-line therapy:
– B + CCB (dihydropyridine)
– long-acting nitrate, ivabradine, nicorandil, or ranolazine (particularly if B/CCB contraindicated)
- third-line: add a third agent only when awaiting revascularisation via PCI/CABG
ADDITIONAL CARDS HERE
— syncope —
Define and broadly categorise the aetiologies of syncope.
- syncope is a transient loss of consciousness (TLOC) and postural tone, followed by spontaneous recovery
- three main types of ‘true syncope’: cardiovascular (arrhythmia, valve disease, MI, PE); cerebrovascular (vertebrobasilar insufficiency), and blood flow + tone (vasovagal, orthostatic, situational, carotid sinus)
- mimics of syncope: seizures, metabolic (hypoglycaemia, hypoxia), panic attacks
Describe the aetiology and presentation of vasovagal syncope.
- accounts for 50% of cases of syncope
- parasympathetic drive takes over (sympathetic withdrawal) in response to stimuli e.g. prolonged standing, heat, stress etc.
- summarised by the 3P’s: Posture, Provoking, Prodrome
- prodrome: blurred vision, sweating, nausea, dizziness, weakness -> bradycardia, hypotension, TLOC
- consciousness is regained within a few minutes
— DVT & PE —
Describe Virchow’s triad.
Virchow’s triad describes the three broad categories of factors that are thought to contribute to thrombosis.
- Hypercoagulability: cancer, thrombophilia, inflammatory disease etc.
- Vessel wall/endothelial injury: surgery, chemical irritation, inflammation etc.
- Stasis of blood: immobility, varicose veins, venous obstruction etc.
Describe the risk factors and presentation of DVT/PE (it may help to consider Well’s score).
- immobility (surgery, trauma, paralysis, bedridden)
- tachycardia (>100bpm)
- previous diagnosis of DVT/PE
- malignancy
- haemoptysis
- unilateral leg swelling, pitting oedema
Describe how the scoring systems used for DVT/PE should be considered for their diagnosis.
- The 2-level DVT Well’s score should be calculated for all possible cases of DVT.
- If the risk of PE is low, consider the PE rule-out criteria (PERC); if all of these criteria are absent the probability of a PE is <2%
- For a moderate-high risk of PE, calculate the 2-level PE Well’s score to guide further investigation
Describe the interim assessment and management of DVT.
- interim coagulation: NICE now advocate use of a DOAC (apixaban, rivaroxaban). if DOACs are unsuitable, use a LWMH + dabigatran, edoxaban, or warfarin
- DVT likely (Well’s 2+, or d-dimer positive): proximal leg vein USS
- DVT unlikely (Well’s <2): d-dimer; if negative, consider stopping interim anticoagulation and repeating USS 6-8 days later
Describe the interim assessment and management of PE.
- interim coagulation: NICE now advocate use of a DOAC (apixaban, rivaroxaban). if DOACs are unsuitable, use a LWMH + dabigatran, edoxaban, or warfarin
- PE likely (Well’s >4): immediate CTPA or V/Q scan
- PE unlikely (Well’s =<4): d-dimer
- PE (confirmed) + haemodynamic instability: offer thrombolytic therapy
Describe the long-term management of DVT & PE.
- VTE is provoked (e.g. major surgery, immobilisation): 3 months DOAC therapy
- VTE unprovoked: 6 months DOAC therapy
- VTE + malignancy: 6 months DOAC therapy
- Repeated episodes, despite optimal DOAC therapy: consider use of IVC filters
— hypertension —
Describe the aetiologies of hypertension.
90-95% of cases are idiopathic (primary hypertension). Secondary causes are rare and include
* renal: CKD, PCKD, Liddle’s syndrome
* vascular: renal artery stenosis, aortic coarctation
* endocrine: phaeochromocytoma, Conn’s syndrome, Cushing’s syndrome
* drugs: HRT, COCP, steroids, NSAIDs, alcohol, nicotine, drugs
* other: OSA, pregnancy
Describe the classification and categories of hypertension.
SBP, DBP, ABPM
* stage 1: >140, >90, >135/85
* stage 2: >160, >100, >150/95
* stage 3: >180, >110, >180/110
Which tests should be used in the diagnosis of hypertension?
Proteinuria (protein in the urine), bloods, fundoscopy, 12-lead ECG
Describe the drug management of hypertension.
Adding another low dose drug is 5x more effective than titrating one drug upward.
Step 1
* ACEi/ARB: age <55 or diabetic of any age
* CCB: age >55 or Afro-Caribbean of any age
Step 2
* Add the other agent (e.g. A + C), or a thiazide-like diuretic (D) if the other agent is unsuitable
* ARBs > ACEi in Afro-Caribbean patients
* non-rate-limiting CCBs (the ‘pines) are preferred in patients with gout
Step 3
* Triple therapy (A + C + D)
* Thiazide-like diuretics are preferred to thiazide diuretics due to lower incidence of electrolyte abnormalities
Step 4
* This is defined as resistant hypertension and requires adding a fourth agent and/or seeking specialist advice
* if K+ <4.5mmol/l: add spironolactone
* if K+ >4.5mmol/l: add alpha or beta-blocker
Describe the initial assessment and management of a clinical BP reading indicating stage 3/malignant hypertension.
- clinic reading >180/110
- assess for signs of end-organ damage (ocular, cardiac, neurological, endocrine) and admit for same-day specialist assessment if present
- if signs of end-organ damage are absent, arrange urgent investigations (FBC, urine albumin/creatine ratio, ECG etc.). if results indicate organ damage, start antihypertensives immediately; if no damage identified, repeat clinic BP measurement within 7 days
How may drug non-concordance be assessed in hypertensives?
No drugs in the urine
— ACS —
Which one sole presenting complaint constitutes acute coronary syndrome?
Central, crushing, heavy, pressured chest pain
How would acute coronary syndrome be differentiated?
12 lead ECG to assess for ST elevation, then troponin testing
ADDITIONAL CARDS HERE
What specific level of ST elevation/depression is required to diagnose STEMI?
> 1 mm elevation in standard limb leads (I, II, III), > 2 mm depression in augmented (aVL, aVR, aVF)
Describe the management of NSTEMI.
- aspirin 300mg
- calculate 6 month mortality using a tool such as GRACE
- if PCI is not imminent, give fondaparinux
- mortality low (<3%): ticagrelor
- mortality high (>3%): prasugrel or ticagrelor, angiography within 72hr to assess if PCI is needed
Describe the drug treatment of STEMI, when balloon time is < 120 minutes.
- aspirin 300mg
- prasugrel
- PCI + drugs (UFH + GpIIb/IIIa inhibitor if radial access used for PCI)
What do ticagrelor, prasugrel, and clopidogrel do?
Stop ADP binding to platelets
Describe PCI.
- non-surgical invasive technique utilising either ballooning or stents to improve blood supply to ischaemic tissue
- access is via the femoral or radial artery; if the radial artery is used, GpIIb/IIIa inhibitors (eg abciximab) must be given
- stenting is preferred
- ballooning is now no longer preferred as the artery may return to the stenotic state, but may be useful for bridging therapies to eg CABG
Describe the mechanisms and indication for CABG.
- Graft creates an anastamosis (left internal mammary artery or long saphenous vein) to coronary vessels
- left main coronary disease >50% occlusion
- 3 vessel disease >70%
- 2 vessel disease (LAD + another)
- 1 vessel >70% with optimal management of angina
Which drug(s) should be given between thrombolysis and PCI?
Enoxaparin or UFH
— complications after MI —
Describe the complications that may arise after MI and their timecourse,
- hyperacute (0-24hr): arrhythmia (e.g. VF), pericarditis
- acute (3-14 days): VSD, tamponade
- subacute (1-2 weeks): LV free wall rupture, LV aneurysm
- 2-6 weeks: Dressler’s syndrome
— bradyarrhythmia —
Which three arrhythmias are bradycardic?
Sinus bradycardia, sick sinus syndrome, tachy-brady syndrome
Describe sick sinus syndrome.
Can result in sinus arrest, escape beats, and tachy-brady syndrome
Describe the types of AV block.
1st deg - prolonged PR interval, all get through. 2nd - mobitz I - PR interval increases until beat skipped, mobitz II - every nth beat is missed. 3rd deg - complete block, bradycardia and low CO
Describe the ECG patterns that may be seen in right bundle branch block.
rSR’ on V1-V2, broad S wave on I, V5, V6
Describe the ECG patterns that may be seen in left bundle branch block.
I, aVL, V6 - broad R, ST depression. V1-V3 - broad QS
Describe hemiblock.
Causes axis deviation - left anterior -> left, posterio-inferior -> right.
Describe bifasicular block.
Same as right BBB + a deep S wave on III, aVF.
Describe AVNRT.
Micro-reentry (within AVN itself). ECG shows no clear P waves with rapid QRS complexes.
Describe AVRT. What is it otherwise known as?
Macro-reentry (branching the atria and ventricles). P waves occur AFTER the QRS complex. Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
What would atrial fibrillation show on the ECG?
F waves - i.e. never isoelectric. Irregularly irregular rhythm
What would atrial flutter show on the ECG?
Saw tooth pattern, limited transmission to ventricles (e.g. QRS complex)
Name the six main supraventricular tachyarrhythmias.
AVNRT, AVRT, AF, atrial flutter, atrial tachycardia, atrial ectopic beats
Describe how supraventricular tachyarrhythmias should be treated.
Haemodynamic instability -> emergency cardioversion. Stability -> vagal maneuvres then adenosine if that doesn’t work.
Which two ventricular tachyarrhythmias are life-threatening and may lead to cardiac arrest? Describe the main clinical sign
Ventricular fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia. Pulseless
Describe Brugada syndrome.
Idiopathic ST elevation with pseudo-RBBB. No structural cause
Describe long QT syndrome.
Long QT interval (!), which may result in torsades de pointes. Can be acquired (by ie. bradycardia) or congenital (i.e. Jervell-Lange-Nielsen, Romano Ward syndromes)
Which three ventricular tachyarrhythmias may be normal/transient?
Normal heart ventricular tachycardia, non-sustained ventricular tachycardia, ventricular premature beats?