Coronary Artery Disease Lecture

These flashcards cover key concepts and details from the lecture on coronary artery disease, focusing on symptoms, treatment options, risk factors, and mechanisms of action.

What is coronary circulation?

The functional blood supply to the heart muscle itself that ensures blood delivery to the heart, even if major vessels are occluded.

What differentiates stable angina from unstable angina?

Stable angina occurs during exercise and is relieved at rest, whereas unstable angina has no pattern and is not relieved by rest or medication.

What are the typical symptoms of angina?

Symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, and possible heart attack.

What are the risk factors associated with coronary artery disease?

Risk factors include hypertension, high blood cholesterol, obesity, smoking, and diabetes.

What is a STEMI?

A STEMI (ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction) is a type of heart attack characterized by a long period of blocked blood supply that affects a large area of the heart muscle.

How do nitrates help in angina treatment?

Nitrates reduce myocardial oxygen demand and relax smooth muscles, which helps to improve blood flow.

What role does hydralazine play in cardiac treatment?

Hydralazine acts as a direct vasodilator affecting vascular smooth muscle to reduce blood pressure.

What is the function of beta-adrenoceptor antagonists in managing angina?

They decrease heart rate, contraction, and conduction velocity, reducing myocardial oxygen demand.

How do calcium channel blockers benefit angina patients?

Calcium channel blockers decrease intracellular Ca2+ concentration, reducing contraction and myocardial oxygen demand.

What is the mechanism through which ranolazine works?

Ranolazine inhibits late sodium channels, improving diastolic tone and coronary blood flow.

What is the standard treatment for acute myocardial infarction?

Restoring blood flow through strategies such as percutaneous coronary intervention, fibrinolytics, and the use of medications to prevent blood clotting.

What is the action of aspirin in cardiovascular disease?

Aspirin inhibits cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), reducing thromboxane A2 production which decreases platelet aggregation.

What are the effects of statins on cholesterol management?

Statins competitively inhibit HMG-CoA reductase, decreasing cholesterol synthesis and increasing the expression of LDL receptors, leading to lower LDL cholesterol levels.

What mechanism do fibrin-specific thrombolytics use?

They selectively activate fibrin-bound plasminogen, converting it to plasmin, which breaks down fibrin in clots.