Cardiology Flashcards
(351 cards)
What are the two types of acute coronary syndrome?
Stable and unstable angina
What is the definition of angina?
A symptom, caused by inadequate oxygenation to the myocardium
What is the cause of angina?
formation of an atherosclerotic plaque leads to obstruction of a coronary artery meaning there is less blood flow to the heart causing inadequate oxidisation
What is the main difference between stable and unstable angina symptoms wise?
Unstable angina has increasing frequency and severity of symptoms that does not get better unrest or GTN
What are the symptoms of stable angina?
Chest pain or pressure lasting several minutes
symptoms provoked by exercise or racial stress
relieved by rest or GTN spray
what investigations might want to perform to someone who has stable angina?
resting ECG shows no changes
cardiac biomarkers (tropponins) should be normal
fasting lipid profile
fasting blood glucose
and HbA1c
CXR - HF, DD
FBC - look for underlying infection or anaemia which could cause similar symptoms, or exacerbate angina
If someone presents to any with chest pain what investigations are necessary?
order a full cardiac work up. FBC, - anaemia, underlying infection DD Cardiac troponins, (+cardiac isoforms CK-MB, Creatinine kinase ) CRP - DD ECG CXR
If you suspect another couse you can perform more imaging. A CXR could rule out pulmonary oedema. CTPA for PE
How do you treat stable angina?
Improving lifestyle
control hypertension
anti platelet therapy ( aspirin, second-line= clopidogrel)
How do you treat unstable angina?
Oxygen (if decompensating), nitrates, and morphine
anti platelet therapy (aspirin, clopidogren) + consider adding anticoagulants (LMWH, Warfrin)
statins
There are various different cardiac markers:
Troponin
creatinine MB, CK
which is the best to look at and why?
High sensitivity troponin are very sensitive.
More so than creatinines:
They only last about 1 day after MI whereas troponins last around 1 week.
CK is general and can be from basically any muscle breakdown and is a good marker if renal function is good. CK MB is specific to myocyte muscle breakdown
HS troponins are high sensitivity.
If someone presents to you with chest pain that occurred 1h ago has now gone and the troponin levels are low does that mean that they are in the clear?
no
HS troponin peak after 3 h
a patient who had chest pain an hour ago which is now resolved,
troponin came back negative
x-ray was clear,
no clear ECG changes
is keen to be discharged, is it safe to discharge?
No
do serial troponin until 3hrs have passed
do serial ECG’s
In a heart attack what to drugs can give the pain relief?
Morphine
GTN
Under new guidelines when should you start oxygen in a chest pain patient?
If saturation is under 94%
What is the management of a patient who has a confirmed heart attack?
M(O)NA
PCI
Anticoagulation
When is PCI indicated in a heart attack?
Within 12 hrs from onset of symptoms and within 120 mins from diagnosis
If PCI isn’t indicated what else can you give?
Fibrinolysis treatment:
Altepase
Tenecteplase
Streptokinase
What are contraindications to fibrinolysis?
Acute pancreatitis; aneurysm; aortic dissection; arteriovenous malformation; bacterial endocarditis;
Who performs a PCI?
Interventional cardiologist
What other drugs/Mx should be considered in the treatment of acute coronary syndrome?
(apart from PCI/ thrombolysis)
Anticoagulants:
- LMWH
- Clopidogrel
Bisoprolol
Glycoprotein 11B/11a inhibitor – not commonly used
What ECG leads show changes in an anterior infarct?
leads V3, V4
What leads do you find changes in a posterior infarct?
V7, V8, V9 – these are V5, V6 put more laterally in the axilla, you know to do this if you see reciprocal changes V1, V2, V3
What leads do you find changes in an inferior infarct?
leads II,III,aVF
What leads one to find changes in a septal infarct?
V1, V5