CVS - Differentials

Question 1

Give some differentials for chest pain

Answer 1

Cardiac - stable angina, ACS, pericarditis (resolves on leaning forward)
Resp - pneumothorax, pneumonia, pleurisy, PE
MSK
GI - GORD, peptic ulcer disease, pancreatitis
Psych - anxiety

Question 2

Give some differentials for palpitations

Answer 2

• Arrhythmias
• Hyperthyroidism
• Drug ADRs
• Fever
• Anxiety

Question 3

Give some differentials for peripheral oedema (pitting)

What causes non-pitting oedema?

Answer 3

• RHF
• Hepatic - hypoalbuminaemia
• Renal - nephrotic syndrome
• Pregnancy
  Non-pitting = lymphoedema

Question 4

Give some differentials for pulmonary oedema

Answer 4

LHF
AKI
CKD
Liver failure
Lymph obstruction

Question 5

Give 4 CVS, 4 resp and 4 other causes of dyspnoea

Answer 5

• CVS - MI, arrhythmia, pulmonary oedema due to HF, cardiac tamponade
• Resp - Pneumonia, PE, asthma, COPD
• Other - Anaemia, hyperthyroidism, Anxiety, neuromuscular