Internal Medicine Flashcards
(429 cards)
The first step in evaluating a patient presenting with chest pain is a ——— to look for ———
12-lead ECG
ST segment elevation
Chest pain observed with MI/angina
Substernal or left-sided chest heaviness, pressure, or pain, typically radiating to the left arm, shoulder, or jaw. Often described as “an elephant sitting on my chest.” Commonly accompanied by diaphoresis or dyspnea.
(A key question to ask is does the chest pain worsen with exertion and get better with rest.)
Chest pain observed with pericarditis
Chest pain radiating to the shoulder, neck, or back; worse with deep breathing or cough (pleuritic); relieved by sitting up and leaning forward.
Chest pain observed with aortic dissection
Severe chest pain radiating to the back, can be associated with unequal pulses or unequal blood pressure in right and left arms. Often described as a “tearing” pain.
Chest pain observed with Thoracic abscess or mass
Often sharp, localized pain; can be pleuritic.
Chest pain associated with Pulmonary embolism
Often pleuritic. Frequently associated with tachypnea and tachycardia.
Chest pain associated with Pneumonia
Pleuritic, frequently associated with cough, sputum, and hypoxia if severe.
Chest pain observed with GERD/esophageal spasm/tear:
Burning pain, midline, substernal; may be associated with dysphagia. Pain made worse with lying flat, certain foods, accompanied by a bitter taste in the mouth known as “water brash.” May be similar to pain of MI.
Chest pain observed with Costochondritis/musculoskeletal:
Sharp, localized pain with reproducible tenderness (touch chest wall and feel the pain); often exacerbated by exercise (second or third costochondral junction inflammation, aka Tietze syndrome).
Chest pain isn’t the only presentation of MI—women often only complain of (2) as their “anginal equivalent.”
nausea or dizziness
MI can be silent, particularly in people with ———, due to ——— or ———, due to ———.
diabetes, due to neuropathy
transplanted hearts, due to denervation
Stable angina:
A chronic, episodic, predictable pain syndrome due to temporary myocardial ischemia. The pattern of pain is similar to that of acute MI, but resolves with rest or medication. Doesn’t change (i.e., it’s stable).
Stable angina: Treatment
Beta blocker (reduces myocardial oxygen demand), aspirin, nitroglycerin.
Patients with angina can benefit from ——— such as ——— to help control symptoms.
long-acting nitrates
isosorbide mononitrate
Prinzmetal angina (variant angina) due to:
coronary vasospasm, not linked to exertion
Prinzmetal angina (variant angina) Treatment
Calcium channel blockers and nitrates to reduce vasospasm.
Prinzmetal angina (variant angina)
Distinguished from unstable angina by
chronic, intermittent nature
Prinzmetal angina (variant angina)
pain usually occurs
at a specific hour in the early morning.
With Prinzmetal angina (variant angina), coronary vessels are
normal (no stenosis or plaques)
With Prinzmetal angina (variant angina), ECG may show
transient ST elevations
Coronary vasospasm can be seen in oncology patients being treated with
5-fluorouracil
A 62-year-old smoker presents complaining of 3 episodes of severe chest heaviness this morning. Each episode lasted 3 to 5 minutes, but he has no pain now. He has never had this type of pain before.
Think: Unstable angina.
A middle-aged woman comes to the emergency room (ER) with severe chest pain and ST elevations on ECG. She is rushed for a cardiac catheterization, which shows no obstruction in her coronary arteries.
Think: Variant angina (aka Prinzmetal angina/vasospasm).
For Vasospastic (formerly Prinzmetal or variant) angina, ——— is a risk factor; (2) are not.
Tobacco smoking
hypertension and hypercholesterolemia