• CARDIOLOGY

    Healthy diet in adults

    from Uptodate, Healthy diet in adults by Graham A Colditz, MD, DrPh, Jan 4, 2013 and https://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/ Caloric Balance 2. Macronutrients Macronutrients are the primary sources of energy, and the proportion of these nutrients in the diet is key to health. Carbohydrates: 45-65% of Total Caloric Intake Proteins: 10-35% of Total…

  • CARDIOLOGY

    Lipoproteins and Atherosclerosis

    Overview: Key Lipoproteins (Non-HDL cholesterol) Involved in Atherosclerosis: Oxidized LDL and its Role in Atherosclerosis: High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) and its Protective Role: Role of Inflammatory Markers and Immune Response in Atherosclerosis: Impact of Antioxidants and Treatment: Triglyceride-Rich Lipoproteins and Apolipoprotein C-III (Apo C-III): Triglycerides Triglycerides are primarily synthesized in the…

  • CARDIOLOGY

    Dietary Fat

    from UptoDate – Dietary fat Matthew W Gillman, MD, SM Total Fat Intake Effects of Total Fat on Health Challenges with Low-Fat Diets Type of Fat Trans Fats Trans fats are artificially created through a process called hydrogenation, which solidifies liquid oils. They are commonly found in processed foods like…

  • Arrythmias,  CARDIOLOGY

    Bradycardia

    Presentation: Etiologies of Sinus Bradycardia Sinus bradycardia can result from a wide range of intrinsic (inherent) and extrinsic factors. Understanding these causes is essential for targeted management. Intrinsic (Inherent) Etiologies Extrinsic Etiologies Evaluation of Sinus Bradycardia Treatment and Management Differential Diagnosis of Bradyarrhythmias Prognosis Sick Sinus Syndrome (SSS) Prevalence: Approximately…

  • Arrythmias,  CARDIOLOGY

    premature ventricular complexes

    Origin of Ectopic Beats Premature contractions (“ectopics”) are classified by their origin Definition and Classification ECG Diagnostic Criteria: Compensatory Pause: Clinical significance Differential Diagnosis: Etiology and Risk Factors Clinical Presentation Evaluation Management Prognosis and Complications

  • CARDIOLOGY,  MEDICATIONS,  other

    Anti-Lipids

    STATINS Most Potent Oral Lipid-Modifying Agents First-Line Therapy for elevated LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol). Lipid Reduction: Lowers LDL-C and triglycerides. Non-lipid Benefits: Antiplatelet properties. Potency of Statins: Effectiveness: Administration Timing: Factors to Consider When Choosing a Statin: Baseline Tests Before Statin Therapy: Avoiding Drug Interactions: Statin Metabolised by Statin concentration…

  • CARDIOLOGY,  other

    Infective Endocarditis

    Disease Characteristic: Inflammation of the endocardium, typically affecting heart valves Causes and Organisms Risk Factors Pathophysiology Diagnosis History Signs Clinical Features Embolic Manifestations Cutaneous Findings Investigations Diagnosis Management Complications Prevention High-Risk Patients High-Risk Procedures Antibiotic Prophylaxis Regimens Special Considerations Patient Education Monitoring and Follow-Up Feature Rheumatic Fever (RF) Infective Endocarditis…

  • CARDIOLOGY,  HeartFailure

    Heart Failure – Chronic Management

    FROM: National Heart Foundation of Australia and Cardiac Society of Australia andNew Zealand: Guidelines for the Prevention, Detection, and Management of Heart Failure in Australia 2018 https://www.heartlungcirc.org/article/S1443-9506(18)31777-3/fulltext Pharmacological Management of Chronic Heart Failure Heart Failure With Reduced Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (HFrEF) Medications Recommended in All Patients: Medications Recommended in…

  • Arrythmias,  CARDIOLOGY

    Approach to palpitations

    Aetiology Palpitations: Associated Symptoms and Causes Cardiac:Arrhythmias Cardiac: Nonarrhythmic cardiac causes  Serious Indicators: Symptom Characteristics: Orthostatic Intolerance: Psychiatric causes Drugs and medications Extracardiac causes History Taking Key Clinical Findings with Palpitations and Suggested Diagnoses Finding Suggested diagnosis Single “Skipped” Beats Benign ectopy Feeling Of Being Unable To Catch One’s Breath…

  • Arrythmias,  CARDIOLOGY

    Heart Block

    Delayed conduction of electrical current as it passes through the conducting system May occur at any level in the conducting system (AV node, Bundle of His or bundle branch) Block in either AV node or the bundle → AV block ** Revision: PR interval → there is a problem with…

  • Arrythmias,  CARDIOLOGY

    Tachyarrhythmias and differentiating clinical features

    Causes of tachyarrhythmias and differentiating clinical features   Rate P-waves Variability Most common demographic Sinus Tachycardia <220 Present, normal morphology Variable Typically unwell children or systemic illness Supra Ventricular Tachycardia >220 (commonly 250-300 in infants) Absent or after QRS Fixed   AVRT including WPW   After QRS   Neonates and…

  • Arrythmias,  CARDIOLOGY

    Pre-excitation syndromes

    Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) Syndrome ECG features of WPW in sinus rhythm Tachyarrhythmias associated with WPW syndrome Atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia (AVRT) WPW with AF – FBI = Fast Broad Irregular tachycardia Management of AVRT For orthodromic AVRT: For antidromic AVRT: ECGS:  Main Abnormalities: Irregularly irregular broad complex tachycardia Extremely rapid ventricular rates…

  • Arrythmias,  CARDIOLOGY

    Torsades de pointes (TdP)

    Risk factors Causes of prolonged QT Antipsychotics Antiarrhythmics Tricyclics Other antidepressants Antihistamines Others Chlorpromazine Quinidine Amitriptyline Citalopram Diphenhydramine Erythromycin Haloperidol Procainamide Doxepin Escitalopram Loratadine Clarithromycin Droperidol Disopyramide Imipramine Venlafaxine Terfenadine Quinine Quetiapine Flecainide Desipramine Bupropion   Chloroquine Olanzapine Sotalol       Hydroxychloroquine Thioridazine Amiodarone         Management

  • Arrythmias,  CARDIOLOGY

    Ventricular tachycardia (VT)

    Monomorphic Polymorphic complex of normal duration. (the first of the narrower complexes is a fusion beat (the next two are capture beats) Brugada Criteria::  RS Complex R to S interval >100 msec (2.5 small boxes)  AV dissociation Morphology Criteria for VT in V1-2 and aVR AV dissociation = Ventricular rate…

  • Arrythmias,  CARDIOLOGY

    Arrythmias (simple summary)

    TOO  FAST TOO  SLOW NARROW COMPLEX BROAD COMPLEX NARROW COMPLEX BROAD COMPLEX REGUALR IRREGULAR REGULAR IRREGULAR SVTFlutterSinus Tachy AFA-flutter with variable block VTConduction abN VFAF with LBBB Sinus (medications)AF (medications)SSS(sick sinus Syndrome)2nd degree heart block BBB3rd degree HBPoisoned Heart (hypoxia, acidosis, overdose, hypothermia) TOO  FAST TOO  SLOW Compromised Stable Compromised…

  • CARDIOLOGY

    ECG interpretation

    4. AXIS Lead I Lead aVF differential Normal axis (0 to +90 degrees) Positive Positive Left axis deviation (-30 to -90) Positive  Also check lead II. To be true left axis deviation, it should also be down in lead II Negative LVHleft anterior fasicular blockinferior wall MInote: Bifascicular block = RBBB…

  • CARDIOLOGY

    Novel Oral Anticoagulants (NOAC)

    -­ Direct thrombin inhibitors: Dabigatran -­ Factor Xa inhibitors: Rivaroxaban, Apixaban Indications: NOAC dosing and PBS listings for prevention of stroke and SE in patients with NVAF Recommendation Apixaban Dabigatran Rivaroxaban Dosing    5 mg twice daily 150 mg twice daily 20 mg once daily Dose adjustments 2.5 mg twice…

  • CARDIOLOGY

    Warfarin

    Contraindications to warfarin therapy Factors that influence the INR Advice on Managing Bleeding Risk Specific Situations  

  • CARDIOLOGY

    Rhematic Fever

    Pathophysiology: High-Risk Groups for Acute Rheumatic Fever (ARF) and Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD): High-Risk Groups for Rheumatic Fever: Reasons for Increased Risk of Rheumatic Fever: History and Examination Preceding Illness: Vital Signs: Cardiovascular System (CVS): Rheumatological: Rash: Central Nervous System (CNS) – Sydenham Chorea: Dermatology: Differentials Diagnosis & Investigations Currently,…

  • Arrythmias,  CARDIOLOGY

    Atrial Fibrillation

    Intro Risk factors, disease associations and potentially reversible precipitants for atrial fibrillation Risk factors and disease associations Potentially reversible precipitants ObesityHypertensionType 2 diabetes/impaired glucose toleranceSmokingObstructive sleep apnoeaCoronary artery diseaseValvular heart diseaseHeart failureChronic kidney disease HyperthyroidismAlcohol excessElectrolyte abnormalitiesSepsisAnaemiaMedications Classification Presentation Investigations ECG Management Treat any underlying cause – anaemia, thyrotoxicosis etc.…

  • CARDIOLOGY

    Metabolic syndrome

    Waist circumference thresholds for abdominal obesity   Recommended threshold in waist circumference for abdominal obesity (high risk) Population Men Women European/North American ≥102 cm ≥88 cm Asian ≥90 cm ≥80 cm Central and South American ≥90 cm ≥80 cm Middle Eastern/Mediterranean ≥94 cm ≥80 cm Sub-Saharan African ≥94 cm ≥80…

  • CARDIOLOGY

    Familial hypercholesterolaemia 

    Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is a relatively common inherited cause of premature coronary artery disease, transmitted in an autosomal dominant pattern. It is an inherited lipid disorder, where, if left untreated, men have a 50% risk of developing coronary heart disease (CHD) by age 50, while women have a 30% risk…

  • CARDIOLOGY

    Hypercholesterolemia

    There are five major classes of lipoprotein Chylomicrons Triglyceride rich Atherogenic VLDL – Very low density lipoprotein IDL – Intermediate density lipoprotein LDL – Low density lipoprotein Cholesterol rich HDL – High density lipoprotein Anti-atherogenic Secondary dyslipidemia Causes Effects on lipid profile HypothyroidismHyperparathyroidismNephrotic syndromeCholestasisAnorexia nervosaCushings syndromes Increased LDL – C Type 2…

  • CARDIOLOGY

    Hypertension

    Risk Factors Causes/History In history identify Category Systolic Diastolic Grade 1 140-159 90-99 Grade 2 160-179 100-109 Grade 3 >180 >110 Isolated systolic >140 <90 Isolated systolic with wide pulse pressure >160 <70 Examination Evidence of Arterial Disease: Palpation: Endocrine System Abnormalities: Obesity Assessment: Fundoscopy (Essential): Investigations: Urine dipstick BLOODS…

  • CARDIOLOGY

    Cardiomyopathy

    Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) Structural changes Processes responsible for clinical manifestations of HCM: Clinical features Apical HCM Narrow, “dagger-like” Q waves in inferior and lateral leads ECG finding in apical HCM is giant T-wave inversion in the precordial leads Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) Common ECG associations with DCM Ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy:     Atrial…

  • CARDIOLOGY,  HeartFailure

    Heart Failure – MEDICATIONS

    Medications indicated Drugs used in heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction  Drug  Indications  Mechanism Adverse effects  Precautions ACE inhibitors  First-line therapy when LVEF <40%  Reduces sodium reabsorption Reduces aldosterone  Hypotension Worsening renal function HyperkalaemiaChronic cough Angioedema  Previous angioedema Other drugs that increase potassium  Angiotensin receptor antagonists (sartans)  If intolerant of ACE inhibitors  Reduces vasoconstriction Reduces…

  • CARDIOLOGY,  HeartFailure

    Heart Failure – acute (APO)

    Causes of acute decompensation of chronic heart failure Acute myocardial ischaemia or infarctionHypoxia (e.g., pneumonia, pulmonary embolism)Arrhythmia (e.g., atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia/ectopy)Noncompliance with medications, fluid or salt restrictionInfection (e.g., respiratory, endocarditis, urinary, skin)Pericardial tamponadeAnaemiaReceiving drugs that may worsen chronic heart failureHyperthyroidism or hypothyroidismAdrenal insufficiency or corticosteroid excessIncreased sympathetic drive (e.g.,…

  • CARDIOLOGY,  HeartFailure

    Heart Failure

    Symptoms and signs of heart failure More typical symptoms More specific signs Dyspnoea (usually with exertion)OrthopnoeaParoxysmal nocturnal dyspnoeaFatigue Elevated jugular venous pressureHepatojugular refluxThird heart soundLaterally displaced apex beat Less typical symptoms Less specific signs Nocturnal coughWheezeAbdominal bloatingAnorexiaConfusion (elderly)DepressionPalpitationsDizzinessSyncopeBendopnoea (shortness of breath when leaning forward) Weight gain (>2 kg/wk)Weight loss (in advanced…

  • CARDIOLOGY

    Myocarditis/Pericarditis after mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines 

    mRNA vaccines Symptoms and outcomes Myocarditis Pericarditis Symptoms Chest pain, pressure or discomfortPalpitationsShortness of breathNon-specific symptoms e.g. fatigue  Chest pain which may be sharp, worse when lying down, and alleviated when sitting up and leaning forwardPain on deep inspiration  Signs  May have normal examinationTachycardiaSevere myocarditis: signs of cardiac dysfunction e.g.…

  • CARDIOLOGY

    Pericarditis

    Causes: Common Causes of pericarditis and pericardial effusions  Cause Prevalence Investigation Idiopathic Most common Diagnosis of exclusion Viral Most common cause of infectious pericardial diseaseAdenovirusCoxsackievirus (Most common viral cause)Cytomegalovirus (CMV)Epstein-Barr Virus (Mononucleosis)InfluenzaHuman Immunodeficiency Virus (occurs in 20% of AIDS Cases)Mumps/Measles/ VaricellaViral Hepatitis Not routine to perform serological testing. Diagnosis is…

  • AcuteCoronarySyndrome,  CARDIOLOGY

    Acute Coronary Syndrome – Stable Angina Management

    Australian Prescriber VOLUME 38 : NUMBER 4 : AUGUST 2015 Diagnosis: Risk Stratification: Clinical Evaluation: Stress Testing: Imaging of Coronary Arteries: Lifestyle Modification: Prevention of Cardiovascular Events: Drug  Indications  Mechanism  Adverse effects  Precautions  Nitrates (short- and long-acting)  Relief of acute or anticipated pain (short-acting)Prevention of angina (long-acting)  Systemic and coronary…

  • AcuteCoronarySyndrome,  CARDIOLOGY

    Acute Coronary Syndrome – long term management

    Goal: Recommendations Smoking Complete cessation No exposure to environmental/ passive tobacco smoke – ceasing ↓ %Y mortality by half– Patients should be asked about tobacco use status at every office visit– Consider pharmacotherapy for patients smoking >10 cigarettes per day: Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) — is the first line choice of…

  • AcuteCoronarySyndrome,  CARDIOLOGY

    Acute Coronary Syndrome – STEMI

    Definition: clinical sx consistent w ACS w ECG features including any of: Reperfusion Critera:  Qwaves Area of Infarction Type of Infarct ECG Leads Reciprocal ECG Changes Heart Territory Coronary Vessel Inferior Infarct II, III, aVF I, aVL Inferior wall of the left ventricle Right Coronary Artery (RCA) or Left Circumflex…

  • AcuteCoronarySyndrome,  CARDIOLOGY

    Acute Coronary Syndrome – NSTEMI

    Most pt’s will present with prolonged or recurrent central chest discomfort but others (elderly, DM, women) may present with atypical sx. Risk = DM & stress Most pt’s with NSTEMI are normal on PE. An abnormal ECG, esp dynamic ST-segment deviation (≥0.5mm) or new T-wave inversion (≥2mm) will confirm the…

  • AcuteCoronarySyndrome,  CARDIOLOGY

    Cardiac Investigations

    Troponins  High-sensitive Troponin (hs-Trop T and hs-Trop I) Purpose: Kinetics: Advantages: Disadvantages: Causes of Elevated Troponin in Absence of Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS): Clinical Practice: Troponin Test Indications in General Practice: Important Considerations: Pitfalls in General Practice: Additional Considerations: Rapid and substantial increases in hs-trop T enhance the likelihood of…

  • AcuteCoronarySyndrome,  CARDIOLOGY

    Acute Coronary Syndrome

    Differential Diagnosis PAIN Onset:  PAIN Characteristic Provocative Factors definitions NEW YORK HEART ASSOCIATION FUNCTIONAL CLASSIFICATION OF ANGINA Class 1 Patients with cardiac disease but without resulting limitation of physical activity.Ordinary physical activity does not cause undue fatigue, palpitation, dyspnea, or anginal pain. Class II Patients with cardiac disease resulting in…

  • AcuteCoronarySyndrome,  CARDIOLOGY

    Chest pain in GP land

    Causes of chest pains presenting in general practice, compared with emergency departments   Percentage in general practice (%) Percentage in emergency departments (%) Musculoskeletal conditions 29 7 Respiratory conditions,including pneumonia,pneumothorax and lung cancer 20 12 Psychosocial conditions 17 9 Serious cardiovascular conditions, including myocardial infarction, unstable angina, pulmonary embolism and heart…

  • CARDIOLOGY

    Aspirin for the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease

    NOTE: Diabetes mellitus is associated with a substantially increased CVD risk, meaning patients are generally excluded from primary prevention trials. In Australia  (https://www.racgp.org.au/clinical-resources/clinical-guidelines/key-racgp-guidelines/view-all-racgp-guidelines/national-guide/chapter-11-cardiovascular-disease-prevention) In USA New Zealand:  considered to equate to high risk (>15%) and aspirin is recommended. Age Five-year CVD risk level Recommendation for primary prevention of CVD Recommendation…

  • CARDIOLOGY

    Cardiovascular Risk Classification

    Conducting a comprehensive risk assessment Absolute cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk assessment  Target population First Nations people aged 18-29 years  : The following CVD risk factors should be screened, as part of an annual health check (or opportunistically) or at least every 2 years : Clinically determined high risk: The Variables…