Cardiovascular System Flashcards
Ather/o
yellowish plaque; fatty substance
Atri/o
atrium
Brachi/o
arm
Cardi/o
heart
Coron/o
heart
Cyan/o
blue
Phleb/o
vein
Ven/o
vein
Ven/i
vein
Sphygm/o
pulse
Steth/o
chest
Thromb/o
clot
Vas/o
vessel
Vascul/o
vessel
Diastole
relaxation phase of the heart beat
Murmur
abnormal heart sound
Normal Sinus Rhythm (NSR)
heart beat originating in the SA node in patients at rest of 60-100 bpm
Sphygmomanometer
instrument to measure blood pressure
Systole
contraction phase of heart beat
First Heart Sound (S1)
-closure of AV valves -beginning of systole -mitral (M1) slightly precedes tricuspid (T1) component -commonly fused as 1 sound -loudest at apex -coincides w/ carotid pulse
Second Heart Sound (S2)
-closure of semilunar valves -end of systole -aortic (A2) precedes pulmonic (P2) -loudest at base, best heard in aortic and pulmonic areas -may become 2 components during inspiration, single sound as breath exhaled -S2 splitting greatest at peak of inspiration (varies from easy to hear to nondetectable)
Arrhythmias
abnormal heart rhythms (dysrhythmia) ex - heart block, flutter, fibrillation
Heart block
failure of proper conduction of impulses through the AV node to the bundle of His
Atrial flutter
rapid but regular contractions of atria, saw-tooth appearance
Atrial fibrillation
rapid, random, ineffectual and irregular contractions of the atria
Ventricular fibrillation
rapid, random, ineffectual and irregular contractions of the ventricles
Coarctation of Aorta
-severe narrowing of descending aorta usually at the junction of the ductus arteriosus and the aortic arch (ligamentum arteriosum) -associated w/ defects of aortic valve in 75-80% of cases -upper extremity hypertension (20mmHg higher than lower extremity) -absent or diminished femoral pulses -systolic murmur at left sternal border (LSB), radiates to back
Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
-failure of the ductus arteriosus to close after birth -75% of the time occurs as an isolated defect -Signs/symptoms; failure to grow, recurrent respiratory infections, easy fatigability, DOE (dyspnea on exertion), SOB (shortness of breath), angina, syncope, CONTINUOUS MACHINERY MURMUR, thrill at left upper sternal border, bounding pulses -premature infants at increased risk -75% close within 3 months
Angi/o
vessel
Aort/o
aorta
Arter/o Arteri/o
artery
Cholesterol/o
cholesterol (a lipid substance)
Myx/o
mucus
Ox/o
oxygen
Pericardi/o
pericardium
Rrhythm/o
rhythm
Valvul/o Valv/o
valve
Ventricul/o
ventricle, lower heart chamber
Atrial septal defect
-defect or opening in the atrial septum allowing flow of blood between the two chambers (shunting is typically L to R) -childhood symptoms usually minimal (sometimes failure to thrive & frequent pulmonary infections -adult symptoms; easy fatigability, DOE, heart failure -surgical repair delayed until preschool age (2-4) -females > males
Ventricular septal defect
-congenital or acquired defect of the interventricular septum that allows communication of blood between L and R ventricles; most common congenital heart defect (can occur after MI as well) -male = female -symptoms depend on the degree of shunting across the defect; respiratory distress, tachypnea, holosystolic murmur
Tetralogy of Fallot
-blood doesn’t get oxygenated; thrill, S1 normal, loud A2, diminished P2 (murmur loud, crescendo-decrescendo). Cyanosis at birth Four components -Right ventricular outflow stenosis (pulmonic stenosis) -VSD -Right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) -Overriding aorta (dextroposition of aorta)
Congestive heart failure (CHF)
-principle complication of heart disease, produced by an abnormality in cardiac pump function (heart can’t transport blood sufficiently to meet metabolic needs) -most common inpatient diagnosis for pt’s >65 -DOE is cardinal sign of left heart failure -Also nocturia, deteriorating exercise capacity, fatigue, dyspnea, weakness, tachypnea w/ mild exertion, nocturnal productive cough, orthopnea, PND (paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea), wheezing (esp nocturnal)
Coronary artery disease (CAD)
-arteriosclerosis; deposition of fatty compounds on tunica interna resulting in thickening & loss of elasticity of arterial walls progressively blocking coronary arteries & their branches -chronic process, risk factors are HTN (hypertension), DM (diabetes mellitus), tobacco, obesity, male (males>females), physical inactivity, increasing age, family history
Acute coronary syndromes (ACSs)
Conditions caused by myocardial ischemia, including… -Unstable angina; chest pain at rest or pain of increasing frequency, intensity, or duration (nitroglycerine) -Acute myocardial infarction; MONA (morphine, oxygen, nitrates, aspirin) & early revascularization
Endocarditis
-inflammation of the inner lining of the heart resulting from infection, primarily of the valvular endocardium and occasionally the mural endocardium -male>female (slightly); fever, night sweats, anorexia, heart murmur, chest pain, SOB, cough -treat w/ IV antibiotics
Hypertensive heart disease
-high blood pressure affecting the heart -left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) from overworking & coronary artery disease (CAD) -conduction abnormalities & systolic and diastolic disfunction
Mitral valve prolapse
-improper closure of mitral valve; valve is competent in early systole but prolapses into atrium later in systole -late systolic murmur, midsystolic clicks -apex & left sternal border -easily missed in supine position (also listen in upright position)
Murmur
-extra heart sound heard between normal beats -blowing, swooshing sounds due to turbulent blood flow & collision currents -can happen if velocity of blood increases (flow murmur), if viscosity of blood decreases, or if there are structural defects in the valves or unusual opening in chambers -a thrill (vibration felt on palpation of chest) often accompanies murmurs
Pericarditis
-inflammation of the pericardium -symptoms include chest pain (retrosternal w/ radiation to back) which is typically sharp & sudden in onset, made worse with inspiration/movement and reduced by leaning forward & sitting up. also splinted breathing, fever, myalgia, and pericardial friction rub -can lead to cardiac tamponade
Rheumatic heart disease
-rheumatic fever is preceded by strep group A infection -causes inflammation & scarring of heart valves leading to pericarditis, myocarditis, valvular insufficiency (mitral stenosis), atrial fibrillation, and possibly CHF
Aneurysm (aortic)
-a permanent localized dilation of the abdominal aorta having at least 50% increase in diameter compared to expected diameter, mostly asymptomatic -may present w/ rupture, embolism, or thrombosis; pulsatile epigastric mass, vague abdominal pain (radiate to back or flank), vertebral body erosion -male>female (4:1) -management/indications for surgery dictated by natural history of aneurysm, type, and size
Deep venous thrombosis (DVT)
-blood clot in a large vein, usually lower limb -common in pt’s on prolonged bed rest, those w/ chronic debilitating disease, and malignancies -pain or tenderness in claf/thigh, usually unilateral although it may be asymptomatic with PE as primary presentation
Hypertension (HTN)
-high blood pressure (either systolic >140, diastolic >90 consistently) -many factors; amount of blood pumped by heart, size/condition of arteries, volume of water, salt content, condition of kidneys, nervous system, hormone levels -essential = no identifiable cause (may be genetic, environmental, or dietary) -secondary = HTN caused by another disorder (glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis, adrenal disorder)
Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
-blockage of arteries carrying blood to legs, arms, kidneys and other organs (usually lower extremities) due to atherosclerosis -intermittent claudication (absence of pain/discomfort at rest but pain/tension/weakness while walking) -treat with exercise, avoidance of nicotine (vasoconstriction), and treatment of risk factors (hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes)
Raynaud phenomenon/disease
-bilaterally occurring vasospastic disorder manifested by intermittent attacks of extreme pallor, then cyanosis of the fingers/toes (thumbs rarely involved) brought on by cold exposure. with warming vasodilation & intense redness develops followed by swelling, throbbing & paresthesias -may also accompany emotional upset or cigarette smoking -female>male (4:1) -phenomenon is secondary to other conditions such as atherosclerosis, lupus, or scleroderma whereas disease is of uncertain cause in otherwise healthy pt’s
Varicose veins
-elongated, dilated, tortuous superficial veins w/ congenitally absent valves or valves that have become incompetent resulting in blood pooling & distended veins -20% of all adults, female>male (5:1) -sometimes asymptomatic, otherwise; leg cramps, dilation/tortuosity of superficial veins, edema of effected limb, leg aches, fatigue, pain (if ulceration develops)
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor
antihypertensive drug that blocks the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II causing blood vessels to dilate. prevents heart attacks, CHF, stroke, and death.
Auscultation
listening for sounds in blood vessels or other body structures, typically using a stethoscope
Beta-blocker
drug used to treat angina, hypertension, and arrhythmias by blocking the action of epinephrine at receptor sites on cells, slowing the heartbeat, and reducing workload on the heart
Biventricular pacemaker
device enabling ventricles to beat together (in synchrony) so that more blood is pumped out of the heart
Bruit
abnormal blowing or swishing sound heard during auscultation of an artery or organ
Calcium channel blocker
drug used to treat angina and hypertension, dilates blood vessels by blocking the influx of calcium into muscle cells lining vessels
Cardiac arrest
sudden, unexpected stoppage of heart action, often leading to sudden cardiac death
Digoxin
drug that treats arrhythmias and strengthens the heart
Patent
Open
Pericardial friction rub
scraping or grating noise heard on auscultation of the heart; suggestive of pericarditis
Statins
drugs used to lower cholesterol in the bloodstream
Thrill
vibration felt over an area of turmoil in blood flow (such as a blocked artery)
Vegetations
clumps of platelets, clotting proteins, microorganisms, and red blood cells on diseased heart valves
Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP)
-blood test that differentiates cardiac from pulmonary causes of dyspnea (>100pg/mL in heart failure)
Serum enzyme tests/Cardiac biomarkers
-chemicals are measured in the blood as evidence of a heart attack -troponin-I (cTnI) and troponin-T (cTnT) (very specific & sensitive to cardiac injury, elevated within 3 hours and can stay elevated >1 week) -myoglobin (elevated but nonspecific) -creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) (elevated but nonspecific) -CK MB isoenzyme (specific)
Lipid tests
-measurement of cholesterol and triglycerides in a blood sample; includes total cholesterol, HDL (good), LDL (bad), and triglycerides -lipoprotein electrophoresis is the process which separates the types of lipoproteins
Angiography
x-ray imaging of blood vessels after injection of contrast into an artery
Computed tomography angiography (CTA)
three dimensional x-ray images of the heart and coronary arteries, less invasive than angioplasty
Digital subtraction angiography (DSA)
video equipment and a computer produce x-ray images of blood vessels (x-rays w/ and w/o contrast are superimposed to create one image)
Electron beam computed tomography (EBCT or EBT)
electron beams and CT identifies calcium deposits in and around the coronary arteries, may diagnose early CAD. results in a coronary artery calcium score which indicates future risk of heart attack/stroke
Echocardiography (ECHO)
high-frequency sound waves and echoes produce images of the heart, done transthoracid or transesophageal (TEE). detects cardiac masses, prosthetic valve function, aneurysms, and pericardial fluid
Doppler ultrasound studies
sound waves measure blood flow within blood vessels used to hear vessel obstruction. Duplex ultrasound combines doppler & conventional ultrasound can be used to diagnose artery occlusion, aneurysms, varicose veins etc.
