Cardiovascular Flashcards
(136 cards)
What is angina pectoris?
Symptomatic reversible myocardial ischaemia
What are the features of angina pectoris?
- Constricting/heavy discomfort to chest, jaw, neck, shoulder or arms
- Symptoms brought on by exertion
- Symptoms relieved within 5min by rest or GTN
All 3 = typical angina
2 = atypical angina
0-1 = non-anginal chest pain
What are the causes of angina?
Atheroma
Rarely: Anaemia Coronary artery spasm Aortic stenosis Tachyarrhythmias Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy Arteritis/small vessel disease
What are the different types of angina?
Stable = induced by effort, relieved by rest; good prognosis
Unstable = angina of increasing frequency or severity; occurs on minimal exertion or at rest; increased MI risk
Decubitus = precipitated by lying flat
Variant = caused by coronary artery spasm - rare
What is stable angina?
Chest pain resulting from myocardial ischaemia induced by exertion, relieved by rest
Good prognosis
Most common cause = atherosclerotic disease
What is unstable angina?
Angina of increasing frequency or severity
Occurs on minimal exertion or at rest
Increased MI risk
What is decubitus angina?
Angina precipitated by lying flat
What is variant angina?
Angina caused by coronary artery spasm
Rare
What are the risk factors for angina?
Age (M≥ 45, W≥55) Smoking DM Dyslipidemia Family history of premature cardiovascular disease (M<55, F<65) HTN Kidney disease (microalbuminuria or GFR<60 mL/min) Obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) Physical inactivity Prolonged psychosocial stress
How is angina investigated?
- ECG - normal, may be ST depression, flat or inverted T waves, signs of past MI
2. BLOODS: FBC U+Es TFTs - high ?thyrotoxicosis Lipids - high HbA1c - may be high in DM
- ECHO
- CXR
- EXERCISE ECG - ST depression or elevation
- ANGIOGRAPHY - using cardiac CT w contrast or transcatheter
How is angina managed?
- Address exacerbating factors: anaemia, tachycardia (eg fast AF), thyrotoxicosis
- Secondary prevention of CVD
- Stop smoking, exercise, dietary advice, optimise HTN and diabetes control
- Daily aspirin
- Address hyperlipidaemia
- Consider ACEis eg if diabetic - PRN symptom relief = GTN spray or sublingual tabs
- Advise patient to repeat dose if pain not gone in 5m and to call ambulance if still pain after 2nd dose
- SE: headache, hypotension - Anti-anginal medication
1st line - B blocker + CCB (atenolol + amlodipine - Revascularisation
- Considered when optimal medical therapy proves inadequate
- Percutaneous coronary intervention
- CABG
What is PCI?
Percutaneous coronary intervention
Balloon inflated inside stenosed vessel, opening the lumen
Stent usually inserted to reduce risk of re-stenosis
Dual antiplatelet therapy (aspirin + clopidigrel) for 12 months+ after stent insertion to reduce risk of in-stent thrombosis
When is revascularisation (PCI/CABG) indicated?
Angina
Considered when optimal medical therapy proves inadequate
What is CABG? Compare it to PCI
Coronary artery bypass graft
vs PSI
Open heart surgery
Slower recovery
2 large wounds - sternal + vein harvesting
Less likely to need revascularisation
Better outcomes for those with multivessel disease
What is acute coronary syndrome?
A constellation fo symptoms caused by sudden reduced blood flow to the heart muscle
Unstable angina + MIs
What is myocardial infarction?
Myocardial cell death, releasing troponin
What causes ACS?
Plaque rupture -> thrombosis -> inflammation
Rarely: emboli, coronary spasm, vasculitis in normal coronary arteries
What is the biochemical difference between MIs and unstable angina?
MIs have a rise in troponin
Unstable anginas do not
What are the risk factors for ACS?
Non-modifiable: age, male, FHx of IHD (MI in 1st-degree relative <55)
Modifiable: smoking, HTN, DM, hyperlipidaemia, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, cocaine use
What are the presenting symptoms of ACS?
Acute-onset central, crushing chest pain lasting>20m
Radiates to arms/neck/jaw
Pallor
Sweating
How might ACS present in elderly and diabetic patients?
'Silent' ACS No chest pain Syncope Pulmonary oedema Epigastric pain Vomiting Post-operative hypotension or oliguria Acute confusional state Stroke Diabetic hyperglycaemic state
What are the signs of ACS?
Distress Anxiety Pallor Sweatiness Pulse up or down BP up or down S4
Signs of HF: raised JVP, S3, basal creps
Pansystolic murmur: papillary muscle dysfunction/rupture, VSD
Low-grade fever
Later: pericardial friction rub, peripheral oedema
How is ACS investigated?
ECG: STEMI - tall T waves, ST elevation or new LBBB within hours; T-wave inversion + pathological Q waves over hours-days
NSTEMI/unstable angina: ST depresson, T wave inversion, non-specific changes or normal
CXR: Cardiomegaly, pulmonary oedema, widened mediastinum
BLOODS: FBC, U+Es, glucose, lipids, high troponin
ECHO: regional wall abnormalities
How is STEMI managed acutely?
- Attach ECG monitor and record a 12-lead ECG
- IV access - bloods for FBC, U+E, glucose, lipids, troponin
- Brief assessment:
- Hx of CVD, RFs for IHD
- Examination: pulse, BP both arms, JVP, murmurs, signs of CCF, upper limb pulses, scars from previous cardiac surgery, CXR if will not delay Rx
- CIs to PCI or fibrinolysis? - Aspirin: 300mg PO (unless already given by GP/paramedics) + tricagrelor 180mg (or other antiplatelet)
- Morphine: 5-10mg IV + metoclopramide 10mg IV (anti-emetic) w 1st dose
STEMI on ECG and PCI available within 2h?
YES - primary PCI - further management
NO - fibrinolysis –> transfer to PCI centre for either rescue PCI if fibrinolysis unsuccessful or for angiography