HUEC 2011: Physiology in Health and Disease

CASE STUDIES FOR CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES

Case 1

K.H. is a 67-year-old male of African descent with primary hypertension and diabetes mellitus. He is
currently taking an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor and following a salt-restricted weight
loss diet. He is about 30 pounds over ideal weight. At his clinic visit, his blood pressure is noted to be
135/96. His heart rate is 70 beats/min. He has no complaints. His wife brought a blood pressure cuff and
stethoscope with her in the hope of learning to take her husband's blood pressure at home.

Discussion Questions

1. What risk factors for primary hypertension are evident from K.H.'s history and physical data?

2. What is the rationale for treating K.H. with an ACE inhibitor? What is the mechanism of action?

3. Is K.H.'s hypertension adequately controlled?

4. What tips can you give K.H.'s wife to improve the accuracy of her blood pressure measurement
technique?

Case 2

R.V. is a 72-year-old man seen in the clinic for increasing shortness of breath. He is found to be slightly
hypertensive at 150/94 and has a ruddy complexion. He is a long-time cigarette smoker. Laboratory
evaluation reveals a Hct of 60% with a hemoglobin of 20 g/dl. Oximetry reveals a hemoglobin saturation
of 92%.

Discussion Questions

1. What might R.V.'s be suffering from?

2. What further lab testing can be done to ascertain the potential etiologic
factors?

3. A decision is made by the attending physician to phlebotomize R.V. to

achieve an Hct of around 45%. What is the rationale for this therapy?

4. How might elevated blood pressure occur in the presence increased

blood viscosity.
Case 3

A.O. was an 89-year-old woman with a long history of congestive heart failure secondary to a large left
ventricular infarct. She had poor activity tolerance and required assistance with activities of daily living.
Even minimal activity was associated with moderately severe dyspnea and exertional chest pain, which
was relieved by rest. A.O. also exhibited marked pedal edema bilaterally. She took digitalis, furosemide
(Lasix), KCl, and sublingual nitroglycerin.

Discussion Questions

1. Which type of heart failure (left or right sided) is usually associated with dyspnea? What other clinical
findings are likely to be present with this type of heart failure?

2. What compensatory mechanisms are likely to be operative in A.O. to

enhance cardiac output?

3. What is the most likely cause of A.O.'s pedal edema?

4. What is the cause of A.O.'s exertional chest pain? What laboratory tests would be useful to confirm this
diagnosis?

5. What is the physiological rationale for the use of each of A.O.'s medications in managing her heart
disease?
Case 4

0.R. is a 46-year-old man admitted to the emergency department with unremitting chest discomfort. The
pain started while he was shoveling snow from his walkway. He had experienced chest discomfort with
activity previously, but the pain had subsided with rest and he sought no medical help. This time
the pain did not subside and became increasingly severe, radiating to his left arm and lower jaw. In the
emergency department, an ECG and cardiac enzymes were obtained. The cardiac monitor showed sinus
tachycardia with occasional premature ventricular complexes. K.R. was treated with 2 L nasal oxygen,
tissue plasminogen activator, sublingual nitroglycerin, and IV morphine sulfate. When he was pain free,
he was transferred to the cardiac unit for monitoring.

Discussion Questions

1. What electrocardiographic changes would indicate that K.R. has a

myocardial infarction (MI)?

2. What changes in “cardiac enzymes” would be consistent with a diagnosis

of MI?

3. What is the most common precipitating event for MI?

4. What is the rationale for using tissue plasminogen activator in the

management of ACS?

5. Why are morphine and nitroglycerin used to manage ischemic chest pain?
Case 5

O.B. is a generally healthy 36-year-old woman with complaints of persistent generalized fatigue. At her
annual checkup, she is noted to have the following vital signs: heart rate 118 beats/min, blood pressure
128/60, oral temperature 37ºC, respiratory rate 26 breaths/min. Her skin and nail beds are pale.
Laboratory results demonstrate hematocrit (Hct) 31%; hemoglobin 10 g/dl; mean corpuscular hemoglobin
concentration 27; mean corpuscular volume 70; total iron binding capacity 600 mg/dl.

Discussion Questions

1. What type of hematologic disorder would you suspect based on M.B.'s history, physical examination,
and laboratory values?

2. What other history data would be helpful in determining the cause of this disorder?

3. Which of M.B.'s clinical signs are reflective of the body's effort to compensate for decreased oxygen
carrying capacity?

4. If M.B. has normal blood oxygen levels (PaO2 = 100), what is the oxygen content of her blood?

5. M.B. is counseled to increase her dietary intake of iron-containing foods. What kinds of food would be
recommended?

6. M.B. is given a prescription for ferrous sulfate 325 mg three times per day. What advice can you give
to her about the timing of doses and expected side effects?
Case 6

Age: 64 Sex: M

Chief complaint: Chest pain

History of present illness

Three months following his first visit, Mr. James presents at the emergency room, in the early morning,
with chest pain of one hour duration. Mr. James describes the pain as being severe and "like someone was
sitting on his chest." The pain, located "in the lower part of my breast bone," awakened him from his
sleep. Although he tried to relieve the pain by changing positions in bed, sitting up and drinking water, it
remained unchanged. He did not sleep well because "I had an upset stomach an acid-burning feeling." He
attributed these symptoms to over eating and drinking at a Christmas party. He has no pain or discomfort
in his arms but says he has an "acheness" in his left jaw which he attributes to
"bad teeth."

Physical examination reveals the patient to be anxious, pale, diaphoretic and in obvious discomfort. He is
unshaven and accompanied by his wife. He tries to relieve his pain by belching. He coughs occasionally.
Mr. James says "the flu has been going around the office, and I’ve had a little cough and fever all week."

Vital signs: BP in the right arm 130/90 mmHg, BP in left arm 128/96 mmHg; respiratory rate 20/minute;
temperature 99º F. Examination of the lungs reveals normal resonance and vesicular breath sounds
bilaterally; an occasional inspiratory crackle is heard but is cleared with coughing. There are no murmurs.
There is no peripheral edema.

Examination of the abdomen reveals the anterior wall to be flat and soft. There is no tenderness,
organomegaly or palpable masses. Bowel sounds are normal. The skin is cool and moist.
ADMISSION LABORATORY TESTS:

CBC:
Leukocyte count = 12,000 mm3 (Neutrophils 72%, Lymphocytes 22%, Eosinophils
1%, Monocytes 5%)
Hemoglobin 15.5g/dL, Hematocrit 46%
Platelet count 296,000/mm3

Chemistries:
Glucose 101mg/dL; Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) 15.8mg/dL; Creatinine .8mg/dL,
Electrolytes = Soduim 141 mEq/L, Chloride 101 mEq/L, Potassium 4.2 mEq/L,
Bicarbonate 24 mEq/L.

Chest X-ray:
"Within Normal Limits"

Catheterization Data: A review of Mr. James’ old chart reveals that he was catheterized several months
ago. The catheterization revealed an 80% narrowing of the left anterior descending artery (LAD)and a
50% narrowing of the coronary artery (RCA).

1. Read and interpret history.

2. Read and interpret Physical.

3. Read and interpret Lab.

1. What might have caused his chest pain?

2. What is your diagnosis? Why? List and explain specific data from the history and physical exam
which support this diagnosis.

3. What enzymes, if any, would you order to assist in making the diagnosis? Compare and contrast the
enzyme patterns if the pathologic process was of 3 hours duration, or 24 hours duration, or 72 hours
duration?

4. Describe the patho-physiology of atherosclerotic plaque leading to thrombosis.

5. Describe the evolution of myocardial changes that occur following acute myocardial infarction.

6. What is the role, if any, of aspirin and/or heparin in Mr. James’ treatment?