CARDIOVASCULAR Flashcards
(109 cards)
PHARMACOLOGY
Describe the action of beta blockers
Beta 1 specific
Antagonise sympathetic activation and so are negatively chronotropic and inotropic
Myocardial work is reduced and so is myocardial demand = symptom relief
PHARMACOLOGY
What drugs that might be use in someone with angina or in someone at risk of angina to improve prognosis?
- Aspirin
- Clopidogrel - antiplatelet
- Atovostatin - Statin
- ACEi - ramipril
ACS
What might the ECG of someone with unstable angina show?
May be normal, or might show T wave inversion and ST depression
ACS
A raised troponin is not specific for ACS. In what other conditions might you see a raised troponin?
- Gram negative sepsis
- PE
- Myocarditis
- Heart failure
- Arrhythmias
ACS
Describe the initial management of ACS
- Analgesia - morphine + sublingual GTN
- Oxygen (if SpO2 > 94%)
- dual antiplatelets
- ALL patients = aspirin 300mg
- if PCI = prasugrel or clopidogrel
- if fibrinolysis = ticagrelor or clopidogrel
MONA
ACS
What is the overall treatment for STEMI?
PCI - if symptom onset within 12 hours and access to PCI within 120 minutes
Thrombolysis e.g. alteplase or tenecteplase - If ineligible for PCI
ACS
Describe the secondary prevention therapy for people after having a STEMI
- lifestyle changes
- manage CVD risks
- thrombolysis = 12 months aspirin 75mg + ticagrelor
- PCI = lifelong aspirin + 12 months ticagrelor/prasugrel
- ACEi
DVT
What investigations might be done in order to diagnose a DVT?
- WELLS score
if WELLS >2 DVT likely
- duplex ultrasound of leg within 4 hours (if not within 4 hrs, offer anticoagulation)
- d-dimer
if WELLS <1 DVT unlikely
- D-dimer with results within 4 hrs (if not within 4hrs offer anticoagulation)
- if D-dimer is raised = duplex USS
- if D-dimer normal = no further Ix
bloods - FBC, U&Es, LFTs, PT + APTT
PE
What investigations might be done to diagnose a patient with PE?
- CXR (typically normal)
- ECG (sinus tachy, S1Q3T3, RBBB + R axis deviation
- if WELLS >4 = CTPA (V/Q scan as alternative in severe renal impairment)
- if WELLS<4 = D-dimer
PERICARDITIS
Describe the aetiology of pericarditis
IDIOPATHIC
VIRUSES (most common = coxsackie), mumps, EBV, CMV, varicella, HIV
less common
- autoimmune
- TB
- trauma
- uraemia secondary to kidney disease
- post-MI syndrome
- dressler syndrome
- connective tissue disorders
- malignancy
- hypothyroidism
PERICARDITIS
What might the ECG look like in someone with acute pericarditis?
- Saddle shaped ST elevation
- PR depression
PERICARDITIS
How can acute pericarditis be clinically diagnosed?
Patient has to have at least 2 of the following:
1. Chest pain
2. Friction rub
3. ECG changes
4. Pericardial effusion
PERICARDITIS
What is the treatment for pericarditis?
idiopathic/viral
- 1st line = NSAIDs + colchicine
- 2nd line = NSAIDs, colchicine + low-dose prednisolone
bacterial
- IV antibiotics + pericardiocentesis with washout, cultures
CARDIAC TAMPONADE
What are the signs of Cardiac tamponade?
Beck’s triad:
1. low BP but high HR
2. Increased JVP
3. Quiet S1 and S2
- Pulsus paradoxus = pulses fade on inspiration
- Kussmaul’s sign = rise in jugular venous pressure with inspiration
MYOCARDITIS
What can cause myocarditis?
most common = coxsackie B
others
Viral infection - coxsackie B, adenovirus, herpes
lyme disease
toxoplasmosis
autoimmune - SLE, dermatomyositis, sarcoidosis
drug-induced - antipsychotics, immunotherapies
hypersensitivity reactions
HEART FAILURE
what is the management for chronic HF?
1st line = BB + ACEi (started one at a time)
If ACEi not tolerated, try ARB or hydralazine with nitrate
2nd line = aldosterone antagonist (SPIRONOLACTONE)
3rd line = cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) or ICD insertion, digoxin (particularly in AF) or ivabradine
other options:
- fluid restriction
- loop diuretics (for symptom management)
- annual flu + pneumococcal vaccine
ABNORMAL ECGS
What aspect of the heart is represented by leads II, III and aVF?
Inferior aspect
ABNORMAL ECGS
What might ST elevation in leads II, II and aVF suggest?
RCA blockage
Leads represent inferior aspect of heart, RCA supplies inferior aspect
ABNORMAL ECGS
Give 3 effects hyperkalaemia on an ECG
GO - absent P wave
GO TALL - tall T wave
GO long - prolonged PR
GO wide - wide QRS
ABNORMAL ECGS
Give 2 effects of hypokalaemia on an ECG
- Flat T waves
- QT prolongation
- ST depression
- Prominent U waves
U have no Pot and no T, but a long PR and a long QT
ABNORMAL ECGS
Give an effect go hypocalcaemia on an ECG
- QT prolongation
- T wave flattening
- Narrowed QRS
- Prominent U waves
ABNORMAL ECGS
Give an effect of hypercalcaemia on an ECG
- QT shortening
- Tall T wave
- No P waves
ATRIAL FIBRILLATION
what are the causes of atrial fibrillation?
PIRATES
Pulmonary - PE, COPD
Ischaemic heart disease
Rheumatic heart disease
Anaemia, Alcohol, Advancing age
Thyroid disease (hyperthyroid)
Electrolyte disturbance (hypo/hyperkalaemia)
Sepsis, Sleep apnoea
ATRIAL FIBRILLATION
Describe the treatment for atrial fibrillation
HAEMODYNAMICALLY UNSTABLE
- 1st line = synchronised DV cardioversion
STABLE
onset <48hrs
- 1st line = rate control (BB or CCB)*
- 2nd line = rhythm control (flecanide or amiodarone)
onset >48hrs
- 1st line = rate control (BB or CCB)* + anticoagulation for at least 3 weeks, then offer rhythm control if appropriate
*consider digoxin 1st line in patients with AF + HF, those who do no exercise or other drugs excluded
avoid CCB in HF
avoid non-selective BB (e.g. propranolol) in asthma