Exam 1: Acute Coronary Syndromes Flashcards
(170 cards)
What is Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)?
Heart Attack
(an imbalance in demand of oxygen by heart tissue and the supply of oxygen the heart is getting)
(AKA: not enough oxygen for heart)
What are the worst arteries for ischemia to happen in and why?
-Right Coronary artery
Left main coronary artery
-These coronary arteries are high up in the heart and have other coronary arteries feeding off of them
-Therefore, if ischemia happens here, the heart attack will be larger because oxygen will also be cut off to the vessels downstream from it
What is the most severe acute coronary syndrome?
STEMI
What causes ischemia?
-An atherosclerotic plaque forms
-The plaque ruptures
-Platelets adherence is activated, they aggregate and activate the clotting cascade at the area
-Fibrin and platelets form a clot that blocks blood/oxygen flow
What is a Type 1 ACS?
Spontaneous MI
(from atherosclerotic plaque rupture)
*what we mainly talk about
What is a Type 2 ACS?
MI Secondary to Ischemic Imbalance
(oxygen supply/demand mismatches to the heart, not getting enough blood flow)
-Ex: vasospasm, anemia, hypotension
*Not necessarily due to plaque
What is the median age of ACS presentation?
68 years old
What gender is more likely to have ACS?
Males
(3 Males : 2 Females)
What are the risk factors for ACS?
-Older age
-Male
-Family history of CAD
-Peripheral artery disease
-Diabetes
-Renal insufficiency
-Prior MI
-Smoking
What are some precipitating factors for ACS?
-Exercise
-Weather (cold or warm)
-Diet (large meal)
-Emotions (fright, anger, stress)
-Coitus (sexual activity)
-Walking against wind
-Smoking
(these increase oxygen demand)
What are the signs of Acute Coronary Syndrome?
-Retrosternal chest pain
(can radiate to shoulder, down left arm, to back, or to jaw)
**Mostly occurs at rest
*Crushing, radiating pain
What are the symptoms of Acute Coronary Syndrome?
-Nausea
-Vomiting
-Diaphoresis (cold sweat)
-SOB
-Anxiety
*Chest pain
What are the atypical symptoms of ACS?
-Epigastric pain
*Indigestion
-Stabbing or pleuritic pain
-Dyspnea (SOB) without chest pain
Who is more likely to experience atypical ACS symptoms?
-Elderly
-Females
-Diabetics
-Impaired renal function
-Dementia
When should a patient call 911?
If they are experiencing chest pain and high risk features like:
-Continuing chest pain
-Severe dyspnea
-Syncope/presyncope (fainting)
-Palpitations
Why should patients experiencing ACS be transported to the hospital by ambulance instead of driving themself?
-Treatment/testing can be initiated on the way to the hospital
Upon arriving at the hospital for a suspected ACS, how soon should a patient have an ECG?
Within 10 minutes!
Note: all patients with acute chest pain should receive this
What does the P wave on an ECG show?
Atria contracting
What does the QRS wave on an ECG show?
Ventricle contracting
What does the T wave on an ECG show?
Ventricle relaxing
Note*
See lecture 1 slide 24 for ECG waves, know which is which
What is the order of the waves on an ECG?
P-Q-R-S-T
What changes can be seen on an ECG when a patient experiences a STEMI?
ST elevation
Q wave changes
(not present on initial ECG, develops over hours to days)
Why is the Q wave often not present initially on an ECG with a STEMI?
An ‘electrical hole” is there
(scar tissue cannot conduct electricity)
-Not acute damage, it is from old damage that accumulates over time from scar tissue