Podcast
Questions and Answers
ACS may suddenly strike men and women, often after years of _____________________________
ACS may suddenly strike men and women, often after years of _____________________________
asymptomatic coronary atherosclerosis and plaque formation
What is the main difference between stable angina and unstable angina?
What is the main difference between stable angina and unstable angina?
Stable angina involves chest discomfort during exertion; unstable angina involves chest discomfort during rest.
What is a classic symptom of acute ischemic chest discomfort?
What is a classic symptom of acute ischemic chest discomfort?
Pain radiating down the left arm is the correct answer.
What is the most common symptom of myocardial ischemia and infarction?
What is the most common symptom of myocardial ischemia and infarction?
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What may a dispatcher instruct the patient to do before EMS arrives if they experience MI symptoms?
What may a dispatcher instruct the patient to do before EMS arrives if they experience MI symptoms?
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What is the most important thing for someone experiencing MI symptoms who does not need resuscitation?
What is the most important thing for someone experiencing MI symptoms who does not need resuscitation?
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What is one goal of therapy for patients with ACS?
What is one goal of therapy for patients with ACS?
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What is the recommended dose of aspirin if not contraindicated?
What is the recommended dose of aspirin if not contraindicated?
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What are contraindications for nitroglycerins?
What are contraindications for nitroglycerins?
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Patients with inferior wall STEMI on their 12 lead EKG can often have _____________________________ involvement. If ________ infarction is suspected, then ____________ are contraindicated.
Patients with inferior wall STEMI on their 12 lead EKG can often have _____________________________ involvement. If ________ infarction is suspected, then ____________ are contraindicated.
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Reperfusion goals for STEMI patients include PCI within the first ______________________ minutes or _________________ within 30 minutes of ED arrival.
Reperfusion goals for STEMI patients include PCI within the first ______________________ minutes or _________________ within 30 minutes of ED arrival.
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What is the preferred reperfusion therapy for STEMI patients?
What is the preferred reperfusion therapy for STEMI patients?
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What is the initial drug therapy for ACS?
What is the initial drug therapy for ACS?
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What is PCI?
What is PCI?
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___________________________ is a general term for a group of life-threatening conditions that occur because of a sudden reduction in blood flow to the heart.
___________________________ is a general term for a group of life-threatening conditions that occur because of a sudden reduction in blood flow to the heart.
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What symptoms can indicate myocardial infarction?
What symptoms can indicate myocardial infarction?
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New ST-segment elevation in two or more contiguous leads on a 12-lead ECG suggests what?
New ST-segment elevation in two or more contiguous leads on a 12-lead ECG suggests what?
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When a patient presents with possible ACS, how quickly should a 12-lead ECG be obtained and interpreted?
When a patient presents with possible ACS, how quickly should a 12-lead ECG be obtained and interpreted?
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Advance notification of the receiving facility by prehospital providers can improve outcomes for patients with STEMI.
Advance notification of the receiving facility by prehospital providers can improve outcomes for patients with STEMI.
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Patients with low- to intermediate-risk NSTE-ACS may show which changes on an ECG?
Patients with low- to intermediate-risk NSTE-ACS may show which changes on an ECG?
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For a patient experiencing STEMI, management focuses on early reperfusion therapy with:
For a patient experiencing STEMI, management focuses on early reperfusion therapy with:
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What is the dose of nitroglycerin (sublingual tablet or spray) to be administered to a patient suspected of having an acute coronary syndrome?
What is the dose of nitroglycerin (sublingual tablet or spray) to be administered to a patient suspected of having an acute coronary syndrome?
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Which findings on a 12-lead ECG would be expected in a patient with high-risk non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS)?
Which findings on a 12-lead ECG would be expected in a patient with high-risk non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS)?
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What findings on ECG suggest non-ST-segment elevation ACS (NSTE-ACS)?
What findings on ECG suggest non-ST-segment elevation ACS (NSTE-ACS)?
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Study Notes
Acute Coronary Syndromes (ACS)
- ACS can develop suddenly, often after years of silent coronary atherosclerosis and plaque buildup.
- It encompasses various life-threatening conditions due to sudden reduced blood flow to the heart.
Types of Angina
- Stable angina: Chest discomfort occurs during physical exertion.
- Unstable angina: Chest discomfort arises at rest, indicating a more serious condition.
Symptoms of Myocardial Ischemia
- Classic symptom of acute ischemic chest discomfort includes pain radiating down the left arm.
- Most common symptom of myocardial ischemia and infarction is retrosternal chest pain.
Emergency Response
- Dispatchers may advise patients with myocardial infarction (MI) symptoms to chew 162-325 mg non-enteric coated aspirin, unless there is active or recent gastrointestinal bleeding.
- For patients with MI symptoms who do not require resuscitation, obtaining a 12-lead ECG is critical to identify potential STEMI or NSTE-ACS quickly and improve diagnosis and reperfusion timing.
Treatment Goals and Medications
- A primary goal in treating ACS is the relief of ischemic chest discomfort.
- Recommended aspirin dose for treating ACS is 162-325 mg.
- Contraindications for the use of nitroglycerin include severe bradycardia, tachycardia, hypotension, and recent use of phosphodiesterase inhibitors (within 24-48 hours).
STEMI Considerations
- Patients with inferior wall STEMI may also have right ventricular involvement. If right-sided infarction is suspected, nitrates should be avoided.
- Reperfusion strategies aim for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) within 90 minutes after initial medical contact or fibrinolytics within 30 minutes of ED arrival.
- Preferred reperfusion therapy for STEMI patients is PCI.
Initial Drug Therapy for ACS
- Initial therapy includes supplemental oxygen (if needed), aspirin, nitroglycerin, and morphine (if required).
ECG and Diagnostic Criteria
- New ST-segment elevation in two or more contiguous leads indicates myocardial infarction.
- A 12-lead ECG should be performed and interpreted within 10 minutes for potential ACS cases.
- High-risk NSTE-ACS patients may show ST-segment depression in two or more contiguous leads, while non-ST-segment elevation ACS may present with ST-segment depression and T wave inversion.
Patient Management and Outcomes
- Advanced notification of receiving facilities by prehospital providers is beneficial for improving STEMI patient outcomes.
- For suspected acute coronary syndrome, nitroglycerin can be administered as a sublingual tablet or spray at a dosage of 0.1 to 0.3 mg every 5 minutes.
Additional Symptoms of Myocardial Infarction
- Other signs indicating MI can include fatigue, weakness, nausea, vomiting, retrosternal chest pain, and loss of consciousness.
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Description
Test your knowledge on Acute Coronary Syndromes (ACS) and cardiac arrest with these flashcards. This quiz covers definitions, key differences between angina types, and related concepts for a comprehensive understanding of cardiovascular health.