Cardiovascular Emergencies Flashcards

A patient with chest pain has diffuse ST elevation across multiple leads with PR depression and a pericardial friction rub. What is the likely diagnosis?

Answer: Acute pericarditis

Diffuse ST elevation with PR depression and a friction rub is characteristic of acute pericarditis.

A patient develops muffled heart sounds, hypotension, and jugular venous distention. What life-threatening condition is suspected?

Answer: Cardiac tamponade

Beck's triad of muffled heart sounds, hypotension, and JVD indicates cardiac tamponade.

What is the definitive emergency treatment for cardiac tamponade with hemodynamic compromise?

Answer: Pericardiocentesis

Pericardiocentesis removes fluid compressing the heart and is the definitive emergency treatment for tamponade.

A patient presents with tearing chest pain radiating to the back and a blood pressure difference between arms. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Answer: Aortic dissection

Tearing pain radiating to the back with unequal arm blood pressures strongly suggests aortic dissection.

In managing acute aortic dissection, what is a primary pharmacologic goal?

Answer: Reduce heart rate and blood pressure to lower aortic wall stress

Lowering heart rate and blood pressure reduces shear stress on the aortic wall and limits dissection propagation.

A patient with a hypertensive emergency has a BP of 230/130 with signs of acute end-organ damage. What is the treatment goal in the first hour?

Answer: Reduce mean arterial pressure by no more than about 20-25%

MAP should be lowered gradually by no more than 20-25% in the first hour to avoid organ hypoperfusion.

A patient presents with sudden dyspnea, pleuritic chest pain, tachycardia, and hypoxia after recent surgery. Which cardiovascular emergency is most likely?

Answer: Pulmonary embolism

Sudden dyspnea, pleuritic pain, tachycardia, and hypoxia after surgery strongly suggest pulmonary embolism.