Cardio Flashcards
(222 cards)
What ECG changes are associated with hyperkalaemia?
peaked or ‘tall-tented’ T waves (occurs first)
loss of P waves
broad QRS complexes
sinusoidal wave pattern
What are Stokes Adams attacks?
A sudden loss of consciousness, usually without warning and lasting for a few seconds, due to an abnormal heart rhythm (especially complete atrioventricular block).
What causes cannon A waves?
occur in conditions with atrioventricular dissociation and right atrial contraction against a closed tricuspid valve
How does pericarditis usually present?
- pleuritic chest pain (sharp retrosternal pain caused by inflammation of te parietal pleura, aggravated by swallowing , coughing or deep inspiration)
- pain improves on sitting and leaning forward
- low grade intermittent fever
- non-productive cough
What investigation findings are seen in pericarditis?
ECG changes: diffuse ST elevations and PR segment depression; T-wave inversion
Echo: effusion may be present, often normal
CXR: usually normal
WCC: leukocytosis
Management of acute pericarditis
often self-limiting
NSAID (with gsastroprotection)
can consider colchicine
consider prednisone
surgical management is pericariectomy
What is Dressler syndrome
post-myocardial infarction syndrome
occurring 2-10 weeks post MI without an infective cause
(thought to be due to circulating antibodies against cardiac muscle cells -> autoimmune aetiology -> immune complex deposition -> inflammation)
Differences in the shape of ST elevation in pericarditis and MI
concave upwards ST elevation is associated with pericarditis
convexity in ST elevation is seen in MI
What viruses commonly cause pericarditis?
Coxsackie B virus group
What bacteria can cause pericarditis?
is bacterial or viral more common
viral is more common (Coxsackie B)
Bacterial may be due to staphylococcus spp., streptococcus spp., M tuberculosis
What is Eisenmenger’s syndrome
reversal of a left-to-right shunt (associated with VSDs, ASD and a PDA)
Classification systems for aortic dissection
Stanford (type A and B)
DeBakey (I, II, III)
What is the anticoagulation of choice in patients with AF?
DOAC
- apixaban
- dagibatran
- edoxaban
- rivaroxaban
Warfarin is second line (where DOAC is contraindicated or not tolerated)
List the reversible causes of cardiac arrest
The 4 Hs and 4 Ts
Hypoxia
Hypovolaemia
Hyperkalaemia, hypokalaemia, hypoglycaemia, hypocalcaemia, acidaemia and other metabolic disorders
Hypothermia
(+heroin +hypoglycaemia)
Thrombosis (coronary or pulmonary)
Tension pneumothorax
Tamponade - cardiac
Toxins
Acute management of heart block
-IV loop diuretics (furosemide, bumetanide)
+/- oxygen (aim 94-98%)
+/- vasodilators (nitrates; main contraindication/SE is hypotension)
+/- CPAP if resp failure
in patients with hypotension:
- inotropic agents e.g. dobutamine
- vasopressors (e.g. norepinephrine)
- mechanical circulatory assistance (e.g. intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation or ventricular assist devices)
may need to stop b-blockers if:
- >50 bpm
- 2nd/3rd degree AV block
- shock
What type/location of MI most commonly predisposes you to AV block?
Inferior
What system is used in the classification of chronic heart failure?
NYHA classification
new york heart association classification
Duration of management of an unprovoked PE
6 months (DOAC e.g. rivaroxaban)
inheritance pattern of HOCM
AD
what classifications are used for aortic dissection?
Stanford
(A and B)
DeBakey (I, II, IIIa, IIIb)
-> emergency surgery is needed in Stanford A and DeBakey I and II.
A(S) and I and II (D) affecting the ascending aorta.
Signs and sx of aortic dissection
- sudden onset, severe pain, radiating to the chest/abdomen/back
- tearing/ripping pain
- anterior chest (ascending) or back (descending)
- interscapular or retrosternal pain
- asymmetrical BP and pulse readings on both sides
- syncope
- diaphoresis
- confusion
Definition of aortic dissection
- tear in the inner layer of the aorta that leads to a progressively growing hematoma in the intima-media space.
RFs for aortic dissection
- HTN
- age
- smoking
- people with connective tissue diseases may be affected at a younger age (30-50) as opposed to 60-80
Investigations for ?aortic dissection
- obs (incl. bilateral pulse and BP)
- ECG
- CXR (often normal but can have widened mediastinum)
- CT angio (may see double lumen) - in stable patients
- MRA
- Transoesophageal Echo (in unstable patients or in renal insufficiency/contrast allergy)