CARDIOLOGY 3d

1) What is the evolution of the symptomatology in this patient in terms of an event timeline and where is the anatomical localization for the problem and what is the primary etiology of the patient's problem?

TIMELINE OF EVENTS-

• Diabetes since 12 years - on medication

• Heart burn like episodes since an year- relieved without medication

• Diagnosed with pulmonary TB 7 months ago- completed full course of treatment, presently sputum negative.

• Hypertension since 6 months - on medication

• Shortness of breath since half an hour-SOB even at rest

Anatomical localisation - Cardiovascular system

Etiology:  The patient is both Hypertensive and diabetic , both these conditions can cause

                  - Atherosclerosis: there is build up of fatty and fibrous material inside the wall of arteries.(PLAQUE)

2) What are mechanism of action, indication and efficacy over placebo of each of the pharmacological and non pharmacological interventions used for this patient?

Pharmacological interventions:

TAB MET XL 25 MG/STAT-contains Metoprolol as active ingredient

 MOA: METOPROLOL is a cardiselective beta blocker

 Beta blockers work by blocking the effects of the hormone epinephrine, also known as adrenaline. Beta blockers cause your heart to beat more slowly( negative chronotropic effect)

and with less force( negative inotropic effect). Beta blockers also help open up your veins and arteries to improve blood flow.

Indications: it is used to treat Angina, High blood pressure and to lower the risk of hear attacks .

EFFICACY STUDIES.

Patients were randomized to one of four treatment arms: placebo or ER metoprolol (0.2 mg/kg, 1.0 mg/kg, or 2.0 mg/kg). Data were analyzed on 140 intent-to-treat patients.

Results:  mean baseline BP was 132/78 +/- 9/9 mmHg. Following 4 weeks of treatment, mean changes in sitting BP were: placebo = -1.9/-2.1 mmHg; ER metoprolol 0.2 mg/kg = -5.2/-3.1 mmHg; 1.0 mg/kg = -7.7/-4.9 mmHg; 2.0 mg/kg = -6.3/-7.5 mmHg. Compared with placebo, ER metoprolol significantly reduced systolic blood pressure (SBP) at the 1.0 and 2.0 mg/kg dose (P = .027 and P = .049, respectively), reduced diastolic blood pressure (DBP) at the 2.0 mg/kg dose (P = .017), and showed a statistically significant dose response relationship for the placebo-corrected change in DBP from baseline. There were no serious adverse events or adverse events requiring study drug discontinuation among patients receiving active therapy.

Non pharmacological intervention advised to this patient is: PERCUTANEOUS CORONARY INTERVENTION.

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention  is a non-surgical procedure that uses a catheter (a thin flexible tube) to place a small structure called a stent to open up blood vessels in the heart that have been narrowed by plaque buildup ( atherosclerosis).

3) What are the indications and contraindications for PCI?

     INDICATIONS:

        Acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)

         Non–ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS)

          Unstable angina.

         Stable angina.

         Anginal equivalent (eg, dyspnea, arrhythmia, or dizziness or syncope)

         High risk stress test findings.      

  

   CONTRAINDICATIONS:

     Intolerance for oral antiplatelets long-term.

     Absence of cardiac surgery backup.

      Hypercoagulable state.

      High-grade chronic kidney disease.

      Chronic total occlusion of SVG.

      An artery with a diameter of <1.5 mm.

4) What happens if a PCI is performed in a patient who does not need it? What are the harms of overtreatment and why is research on overtesting and overtreatment important to current healthcare systems?

Although PCI is generally a safe procedure , it might cause serious certain complications like 

A)Bleeding 

B) Blood vessel damage

C) Allergic reaction to the contrast dye used

D) Arrhythmias

E) Need for emergency coronary artery bypass grafting .

Because of all these complications it is better to avoid PCI in patients who do not require it.

⁃ OVER TESTING AND OVER TRAETMENT HAVE BECOME COMMMIN IN TODAY’S MEDICAL PRACTICE.

⁃ Research on overtesting and overtreatment is important as they are more harmful than useful.

Harms to patients

. Performing screening tests in patients with who at low risk for the disease which is being screened.

For example:Breast Cancer Screenings Can Cause More Harm Than Good in Women Who Are at Low Risk. A harmless lump or bump could incorrectly come up as cancer during routine breast screenings. This means that some women undergo surgery, chemotherapy or radiation for cancer that was never there in the first place.

.Overuse of imaging techniques such as X- RAYS AND CT SCANS as a part of routine investigations. 

 Overuse of imaging can lead to a diagnosis of a condition that would have otherwise remained irrelevant - OVERDIAGNOSIS.

Also the adverse effects due to this are more when compared to the benefits.

.Overdiagnosis through overtesting can psychologically harm the patient.

Hospitalizations for those with chronic conditions who could be treated as outpatients[ can lead to economic burden and a feeling of isolation.

Harms to health care systems

The use of expensive technologies and machineries are causing burden on health care systems.