Pathophysiology, Clinical Manifestations, and Management of Myocardial Infarction

This case study explores the pathophysiology of myocardial infarction, identifies the clinical manifestations and risk factors in the patient, and discusses the nursing and medical management required for an acute MI. It also outlines the medications used in the treatment of MI and their indications, mechanisms of action, administration methods, side effects, and nursing care requirements.

CASE STUDY

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
Briefly explain the pathophysiology of myocardial infarction in this patient. In your answer
identify the clinical manifestations of an MI demonstrated by Kath Harris and why these are
occurring. Identify the risk factors evident within this case study. How would you manage Mrs
Harris’ care?.................................................................................................................................1
Outline the immediate nursing and medical management Mrs Harris requires in the treatment
of an acute MI. In your answer include the pharmacological management required by a patient
with an acute coronary syndrome................................................................................................3
Identify three medications that would be used in the treatment of an MI and outline the
indication for use, mechanism of action, administration method, side effects, and nursing care
required for these medications.....................................................................................................4
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................5
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................6

INTRODUCTION
Myocardial infarction can be describe as heart attack and this happen due to stop or decrease
in flow of blood in heart muscles (Thygesen, and et.al., 2019). The major reason of this is
changes in occur in human body due to sudden depravation of blood circulation. This report is
based on a patient, Kath Harris who is of age 65 years. There are several issues and problems
such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus type 2, pain. Kath Harris is cigarette smoker of two
packets in a day as well as had history of head trauma. This report will include information
about pathophysiology of myocardial infraction. In this different symptoms, diagnosis methods
and causes of this problem is identified. This report will also includes different risk factors along
with the treatment methods. In this immediate nursing and medical management plan is
developed in order to provide complete care to patient. Apart from this different medication that
can be used by treatment of Myocardial infarction is analysed and identified.
MAIN BODY
Briefly explain the pathophysiology of myocardial infarction in this patient. In your answer
identify the clinical manifestations of an MI demonstrated by Kath Harris and why these
are occurring. Identify the risk factors evident within this case study. How would you
manage Mrs Harris’ care?
Myocardial infarction pathophysiology is refer as the sudden ischemic death of
myocardial tissues. This is the heart attack due to irreversible damage of myocardial tissues. This
is one of the common issues that occurs when coronary artery are occluded due to rupture of an
atherosclerotic plague (Anderson and Morrow, 2017). This will lead to creation of blood clot
that is known for coronary thrombosis. Kath Harris is a old women who live alone and it is
crucial to identify and analyse symptoms and causes of Myocardial infarction in order to
provide better support and care to patient for health life.
Symptoms of Myocardial infarction
The most common symptoms which will represent Myocardial infarction are explain below in
detail –
 Patient will feel pressure and tightness in the chest.
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 Pain or discomfort in back, chest, jaw and other areas of patient upper body.
 Cold sweat and fatigue.
 Nauseam heartburn or abdominal pain, indigestion.
 Shortness in breathing
 Light headedness as well as sudden dizziness.
 Irregular or rapid heart beats.
Diagnosis methods for Myocardial infarction
It is important for doctor to diagnose the patient carefully as well as screen their regular
physical exams in order to analyse the issues and problems correctly. It is crucial that Kath
Harris is correctly diagnose with correct method as this will help in identifying and analysing
their actual issue of patient. There are different diagnosis methods for Myocardial infarction
which is explain below -
 Electrocardiogram (ECG) – In this electrical activities of patient heart is recorded with
the support of electrodes that is attached to person skin This is the first test in order to
diagnose a heart attract records (Bonaca and et.al., 2015). ECG test is very helpful in
identifying the heart attract which has occur as well as which is in progress.
 Blood tests - In this test sample of patient blood is taken in order to test the presence of
enzymes. During heart attack some heart proteins are slowly leak into human blood. This
test is effective in analysing the heart condition and blood as well.
Causes of Myocardial infarction
When arteries are blocked and narrowed to due to building of plaque, this leads to
decrease of blood flow in human body. This can be consider as the main reason for cause of
heart attack or Myocardial infarction. Some major causes are given below –
 Bad cholesterol – This is also known as low density lipoprotein and in the case of Kath
Harris LDL cholesterol is 5.97. This is one of the main reason which lead to blockage in
arteries.
 Saturated fats – This is also a major reason in development of plaque in coronary arties.
Saturated fats can lead to arterial blockage due to increasing the amount of bad
cholesterol in blood system.
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Risk factor Myocardial infarction
Different risk factor that is related to myocardial infarction are explain below –
High blood pressure – This risk of heart attract will be increase with the number of blood
pressure of patient.
High level of cholesterol – High cholesterol level will lead to increase the risk of myocardial
infarction.
Obesity – Overweight and obesity will increase the chance of patient having heart attack.
Smoking - Kath Harris take two packets of cigarettes in a day and this smoking habit will
increase the risk of myocardial infarction.
Treatment method of Myocardial infarction
There are number of treatment that is supportive in dealing with myocardial infarction as
well as providing support to patient. In the case of Kath Harris different treatment methods are
mention below –
 Angioplasty – This is the treatment method in which special tubing which is attaches to
deflated balloon is threaded up on the coronary arteries
 Artificial heart valve surgery – In this method of myocardial infarction treatment
abnormal or diseased heart valve are replaced with the healthy one (Swirski and
Nahrendorf, 2013). This will support in recovery of patient.
 Bypass surgery – This is one of the effective method as in this blocked heart arteries are
treated in order to create and develop new passage for blood flow to the heart muscles of
patient. Heart transplant – In this myocardial infarction treatment damaged and diseased heart is
removed as well as replaced with donated healthy heart.
Outline the immediate nursing and medical management Mrs Harris requires in the treatment of
an acute MI. In your answer include the pharmacological management required by a
patient with an acute coronary syndrome.
It is important that Mrs Harris is correctly and properly treated for an acute myocardial
infarction. For this proper nursing care and medication needs to be provided to patient. This will
help in fast recovery.
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Nursing care plan for Myocardial infarction
Effective and efficient nursing care plan will be very helpful in resolving the issues of patient
as well as fast recovery (Thygesen and et.al., 2018). Nursing care plan in context of Kath Harris
care includes different activities such as –
 Proper monitoring and documenting the characteristics of noting, pain, blood pressure
and so on.
 Reviewing history of previous angina, MI pain as well as discuss the history with family
member or close friends.
 Instruction to patient for conducting relaxation techniques such as deep and slow
breathing, guided imagery, visualization and distraction behaviours.
Medication plan for Myocardial infarction
There are number of different medication that will help Kath Harris to help in treating
heart attack. Medication plan is -
 Aspirin - this will support in thinning of blood as well as used to break up blood clots.
 Thrombolytic – This medicine is used to dissolve clots.
 Nitro-glycerine – This is helpful in widen of patient blood vessels.
 Pain relievers – This medication will help in reducing or minimizing the discomfort that
is felt by Kath Harris.
Identify three medications that would be used in the treatment of an MI and outline the
indication for use, mechanism of action, administration method, side effects, and nursing
care required for these medications
Three medication that can be used for Kath Harris treatment are pain relievers, Aspirin and
thrombolytic
Pain reliever medication
Indication for use – This medicine is used by consuming it directly from mouth and it should be
taken after consulting doctor (Boon and Dimmeler, 2015.).
Administration method – Pain reliever medication is routed from oral or mouth consumption.
Side effects – This can lead to gain weight, trouble in sleeping and high sugar levels.
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Nursing care requirements – Nurse should analyse when to given this medicine by checking
reports.
Aspirin Medication
Indication for use – This medicine should be taken upset stomach or before having food. It
should be taken with full glass of water.
Administration method – Method of administration for aspirin is oral method.
Side effects – This can lead to allergic reaction, coughing up blood and signs of kidney
problems.
Nursing care requirements – Timely providing medicine to patient.
Thrombolytic Medication
Indication for use – This is used in emergency treatment condition.
Administration method – Thrombolytic medication is given through oral method.
Side effects – Blood in the urine, nose bleeding, bloody stools (Cabello and et.al., 2016).
Nursing care requirements – Nurse needs to provide medicine as well as take care of patient in
correct manner.
CONCLUSION
From the above report it can be concluded that Myocardial infarction is one of the major
diseases that can have major impact on human life. It is important to determine symptoms in
right time and take correct treatment. It is crucial to have appropriate nursing and medication
plan according to patient needs.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Thygesen, K and et.al., 2019. Fourth universal definition of myocardial infarction
(2018). European heart journal, 40(3), pp.237-269.
Anderson, J.L. and Morrow, D.A., 2017. Acute myocardial infarction. New England Journal of
Medicine, 376(21), pp.2053-2064.
Bonaca, M.P., and et.al., 2015. Long-term use of ticagrelor in patients with prior myocardial
infarction. New England Journal of Medicine, 372(19), pp.1791-1800.
Swirski, F.K. and Nahrendorf, M., 2013. Leukocyte behavior in atherosclerosis, myocardial
infarction, and heart failure. Science, 339(6116), pp.161-166.
Thygesen, K., and et.al., 2018. Fourth universal definition of myocardial infarction
(2018). Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 72(18), pp.2231-2264.
Boon, R.A. and Dimmeler, S., 2015. MicroRNAs in myocardial infarction. Nature Reviews
Cardiology, 12(3), p.135.
Cabello, J.B and et.al., 2016. Oxygen therapy for acute myocardial infarction. Cochrane
Database of Systematic Reviews, (12).
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