Core Conditions for Medical and Surgical Finals

Kristen Davies

• Publisher: CRC Press
• Year: 2020
• ISBN:
  9780429824685
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Medicine
• Subtopic: Medical Theory, Practice & Reference

This concise and accessible revision guide delivers the must-know facts and associations for the common conditions that are most likely to be tested during medical school finals across medicine and surgery. Covering 60 common presentations, ordered by specialty, information is systematically structured throughout and is ideal for rapid reference. Each condition is represented by a succinct review covering definition, epidemiology, aetiology, pathology, clinical presentation, examination, investigations, differential diagnosis and management. Mnemonics, illustrations, boxes and summary tables supplement the text throughout.

Key Features

• One-stop shop for finals revision covering 60 common conditions requiring medical or surgical management

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• Presents core facts in accessible, 'bite-sized' sections to aid memory and rapid recall

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• Highly structured format for ease of reference

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• Incorporates the latest clinical guidelines, handy hints and tips, mnemonics and questions for self-assessment

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Written by a foundation doctor who understands from recent personal experience the requirements and pressures of medical finals, this aide-memoire will provide invaluable guidance during clinical studies and examination preparation.

About the Author:

Kristen Davies, MBChB (Honours) MRes (Distinction), is an Academic Foundation Doctor, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and a Training Fellow, Newcastle University, UK.

Editorial Advisor:

Shadaba Ahmed, FRCS-ORL/NHS DLO MoME MCPS FCPS is ENT, is Consultant and Lead for HN Services, University Hospitals of Morecombe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, an Honorary Lecturer at Lancaster University and an Honorary Teacher at Liverpool University, UK.

Chapter 1

Cardiology

1.1Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)

1.2Heart Failure

1.3Hypertension

1.4Valvular Heart Disease

1.5Infective Endocarditis

1.6Atrial Fibrillation

Cardiology: Questions

1.1 Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)

Definition

A group of conditions with a common underlying pathology: plaque formation, thrombosis and inflammation.

The usual cause is an atheromatous plaque rupturing a coronary artery, which either fully/partially obstructs.

Differentiation between the conditions is determined by the presence of (1) cardiac sounding chest pain (chest pain in the chest/jaw/back with nausea/sweating for >15 minutes), (2) troponin rise, (3) ST-segment elevation.

Unstable Angina (UA) – frequent cardiac chest pain, often at rest, without troponin rise. ECG changes such as ST depression or T wave inversion may or may not be present but are often transient.

Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI) – cardiac chest pain with troponin rise without ST elevation.

ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction – cardiac chest pain AND troponin rise AND ST-elevation ECG changes.

Epidemiology

Ischaemic heart disease (IHD) is the most common cause of death in the UK.

Modifiable risk factors: Hypertension, smoking, ↑ cholesterol, type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, sedentary lifestyle.

Non-modifiable risk factors: Family history, increasing age, sex (M > F until menopause when M = F).

Aetiology/Pathology

The inflammatory process of atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries occurs over time, resulting in the development of a plaque. Symptoms of ACS occur when there is rupture of the plaque, resulting in platelet activation, thrombosis formation and occlusion.

Clinical Presentation

Most common symptoms include central crushing chest pain, which may radiate to the jaw/arm with an associated sympathetic response (nausea, vomiting, sweating). Individuals with diabetes may have a ‘silent MI’ without chest pain.

Timing of the chest pain, and the timing of blood taking, is important for interpretation of troponin blood tests.

Examination

Signs include: AF (IHD is a major cause), hypertension, signs of ↑ cholesterol (arcus lipidus, ...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Contents
• Preface
• Acknowledgements
• Author
• Contributors
• Chapter 1 Cardiology
• Chapter 2 Respiratory
• Chapter 3 Gastroenterology
• Chapter 4 Endocrinology
• Chapter 5 Rheumatology
• Chapter 6 Neurology
• Chapter 7 Renal and Electrolytes
• Chapter 8 Haematology
• Chapter 9 Infectious Diseases
• Chapter 10 Dermatology
• Chapter 11 Orthopaedics
• Chapter 12 General Surgery
• Chapter 13 Urology
• Chapter 14 Vascular Surgery
• Chapter 15 Ear, Nose and Throat
• Chapter 16 Answers
• Index