Tom F. Gutchewsky – Acute Cardiac Conditions: Quick Assessment & Rapid Action

Outline

Acute Cardiac Pathology

• Differentiate between an ST elevation MI and a non ST elevation MI
• What about the presentation based on different coronary vessel involvement?
• Review angiogram films to identify specific pathology including culprit vs. chronic lesions
• When are thrombolytics appropriate?
• When should an invasive procedure like angioplasty or stenting be performed?
• When to refer to surgery – including timing of urgent and elective surgery
• See the changes of acute MV regurgitation caused by myocardial ischemia on echocardiogram
• MR treatments: Pharmacology? When is it time for surgery or catheter-based interventions?
• Find out how an intra-aortic balloon pump can stabilize a patient with ventral septal defect caused by MI prior to surgery
• Review which drugs are most beneficial for specific conditions and adhere to AHA recommendations

Cardiogenic Shock

• Understand the multiple causes of cardiogenic shock to identify early symptoms
• Compare the function of diagnostic techniques, including echocardiogram and swanganz catheters
• Gain insight into typical and more advanced treatments including fluid resuscitation, medication, interventions, intra-aortic balloon pumps, ECMO, and VADs

Aortic Dissection

• Stanford types A and B – including common causes, which patients are at risk, and typical presenting symptoms
• Review diagnostic techniques and images including echocardiogram, TEE, and CT scans for pathological findings
• Which patients require emergency surgery vs. medical management?
• Explore the latest surgical techniques used in treatment

Cardiac Tamponade

• Identify the symptoms of cardiac tamponade including the components of Beck’s triad
• Learn the causes of pericardial tamponade
• Review diagnostic echocardiogram and CT images
• Appropriate treatments including pericardiocentesis and pericardial window surgical procedures

Arrhythmias

• Identify acute cardiac arrhythmias including atrial fibrillation/flutter, 3rd-degree heart block and ventricular tachycardia by EKG findings
• Review common etiologies and risk factors
• Explore treatment options including medication, electricity, and ablation procedures