Cardiology Flashcards
(128 cards)
Name some causes of left ventricular/congestive heart failure
- Pump failure
- Heart muscle disease (IHD, cardiomyopathy)
- Restricted filling (pericarditis, tamponade)
- Inadequate heart rate (B blockers, heart block, post-MI)
- Negatively inotropic drugs (antiarrhythmics)
- Excessive preload
- Mitral regurg
- Fluid overload (NSAIDs causes retention, renal disease)
- Chronic excessive afterload
- Atrial stenosis
- Hypertension
- High output failure (anaemia, pregnancy, hyperthyroidism)
Name some symptoms of left heart failure
- Fatigue
- Dyspnoea on exertion
- Exercise intolerance
- Orthopnoea
- Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea
- Persistent coughing (especially nocturnal)
- Pink, frothy sputum
- Leg/ankle swelling
- Wheeze
Name some signs of left heart failure
- General
- Patients looks ill and exhausted
- Cool peripheries
- Peripheral cyanosis
- Pulse
- Resting tachycardia
- Pulsus alternans
- Auscultations
- S3 gallop
- Aortic/mitral murmurs
- Chest
- Tachypnoea
- Bibasal end inspiratory crackles
- Wheeze
Name some causes of right heart failure
- Chronic lung disease
- Pulmonary hypertension
- PE
- Tricuspid/Pulmonary valve disease
Name some symptoms of right heart failure
- Fatigue
- Dyspnoea
- Anorexia
- Loss of appetite
- Abdominal swelling
- Sudden weight gain
- Protruding neck veins
Name some signs of right heart failure
- Jugular venous distension
- Cardiomegaly
- Hepatomegaly
- Ascites
- Pitting oedema
Describe the compensatory mechanisms active during heart failure and explain why these mechanisms lead to some signs of heart failure

Name some investigations for suspected heart failure
- ECG and BNP, then echo OR just echo (if previous MI)
- Bloods - FBC, U&E, BNP, TFT, LFT, cholesterol, glucose, eGFR
- CXR
- Echo
- ECG
Describe the CXR findings for heart failure
- Alveolar oedema (bat’s wings)
- Kerley B lines (interstitial oedema)
- Cardiomegaly
- Dilated prominent upper lobe vessels
- Effusion (pleural)

How is heart failure classified?
New York classification (NYHA):
- Heart disease present but no undue dyspnoea
- Comfortable at rest but dyspnoea with ordinary activities
- Less than ordinary activity causes dyspnoea, limiting lifestyle
- Dyspnoea present at rest
Describe the general priniciples of treating chronic heart failure
- Treat the cause (arrythmias, valve disease, anaemia, thyroid disease, hypertension)
- Avoid exacerbating factors (NSAIDS - fluid retention, verapamil - negative inotrope)
- Lifestyle changes (less salt, weight loss, stop smoking, education)
- Cardiac rehabilitation
- Drugs
- Surgical options (revascularisation, implantable cardioverter defibrillators, transplant)
Name the drugs used to treat chronic heart failure
- Loop diuretics if acute (furosemide 40mg/24hr PO)
- ACE inhibitor (lisinopril 10mg/24hr PO)
- B-blockers (start low and go slow)
- Hydrazaline with nitrate if black
- 2nd line - Spironolactone (25mg/24hr PO)
- Digoxin (0.125-0.25mg/24hr PO) if remaining symptomatic or AF
What are the contraindications of ACE-inhibitors?
- Renal failure
- Hyperkalaemia (K+ > 5.5)
- Hyponatraemia (Na+ < 130)
- Hypovolaemia
- Hypotension (systolic BP < 90)
- Aortic stenosis
- Pregnancy/lactation
- COPD or cor pulmonale
What are the side effects of ACE inhibitors?
- Hypotension
- Especially 1st dose - begin laying down)
- Dry cough
- Taste disturbance
- Hyperkalaemia
- Renal impairment
- Urticaria
What value defines hypertension?
140/90
(malignant = BP > 200/130)
Name some causes of hypertension
- Essential hypertension
- Renal disease (impairs volume regulation and RAAS)
- Glomerulonephritis
- Polyarteritis Nodosa
- Polycystic kidneys
- Chronic pyelonephritis
- Renovascular disease
- Endocrine
- Cushings
- Conns (hyperaldosteronism)
- Hyperparathyroidism
- OCP
- Pregnancy
- Steroids
Name some signs and symptoms of hypertension
- Headaches
- Renal disease - fluid overload/retention, bruits
- Radiofemoral delay
- Cushings disease - central obesity, purple striae, thin limbs
- End organ damage
- Retinopathy
- LVH
- Proteinuria
Name some consequences of hypertension
- Coronary heart disease
- Left ventricular hypertrophy
- Renal damage
- Stroke
- Retinopathy
Describe the appearance of hypertensive retinopathy
Grades:
- Tortuous arteries
- A-V nipping (narrowing where arteries cross veins)
- Flame haemorrhages and cotton wool spots
- Papilloedema

Name some investigations into hypertension
- If 140/90 or higher - offer ambulatory BP monitoring to confirm diagnosis (unless severe)
- Bloods - glucose, U&Es, creatinine, eGFR, cholesterol
- ECG
- Urine analysis (protein/blood)
- Fundoscopy
- Specific to exclude a cause
- Renal ultrasound
- Cortisol / renin/ aldosterone
- Echo
Describe the stages of hypertension

Describe the treatment of hypertension
- Lifestyle changes
- Stop smoking
- Lose weight
- Redue alcohol and salt intake
- Drugs
- Thiazide diuretics (bendroflumethiazide 2.5mg/24hr PO)
- Beta blockers (atenolol 50mg/24hr PO)
- ACE inhibitor (lisinopril 2.5-20mg/24hr PO)
- Calcium channel antagonist (nifedipine 30-60mg/24hr)
Describe hypertension treatment based on age and ethnicity

What is stable angina?
When coronary artery flow is limited by >70% stenosis due to atherosclerosis. During emotional or exertional stress the increased oxygen demand cannot be met, causing ischaemia and pain



















