Cardiology definitions Flashcards

1
Q

Fibrillation

A

Chaotic electrical and mechanical activity.

Caused because the pumping action of the affected chamber is lost.

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2
Q

Atrial fibrillation

A

Irregularly irregular pulse

Reduces efficiency of the heart but does not cause a serious problem in the absence of other heart disease

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3
Q

Ventricular fibrillation

A

results in complete loss of cardiac output and is fatal within minutes unless corrected (electrical defibrillation)

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4
Q

concentric hypertrophy

A

thickening of the wall but no increases in volume, normally seen in high bp or aortic stenosis (results in a stronger apex beat)

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5
Q

eccentric hypertrophy

A

where there is a thickening of the wall and an increase in volume due to regurgitation or volume overload (displaced apex beat).

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6
Q

Mitral stenosis

A

Causes: rheumatic fever

Pathophysiology: Narrowed valve reduces flow to LV in diastole, reduced stroke volume. Increased LA pressure causes hypertophy and dilation. Can increase RH pressure, leading to pulmonary hypertension and RH failure

Symptoms: associated with RH failure - dyspnoea, haemoptysis, cough, malar flush

Murmur: low rumbling early diastolic

Associated with atrial fibrillation, causes irregularly irregular pulse and palpitations

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7
Q

Mitral regurgitation

A

Causes: rheumatic fever, IHD, endocarditis, cardiomyopathy

Pathophysiology: Regurgitation causes an increase in left atrial pressure due to increased volume. Increases pulmonary venous pressure, results in pulmonary oedema >RHF. Can also cause LV hyertophy and failure due to increased volume in ventricle. Cardiac output reduced

Murmur: Pansystolic murmur, S3, forceful apex beat

Symptoms: palpitations, dyspnoea, fatigue

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8
Q

Aortic stenosis

A

Causes: congenital (bicuspid), rheumatic fever

Pathophysiology: LV outflow obstructed increases pressure and causing LV hypertrophy. Causes ischemia of myocaridum > consequent angina, arrhythmia, LV failure.

Symptoms: Angina, Worse on exercise because CO cannot increase, Cardiac ischemia worsens. Dyspnoea, syncope

Signs: Ejection systolic murmur, slow rising carotid pulse, S3 sound. Prominent heaving apex, palpable thrill.

ECG: Large R wave (hypertrophy), ST depression/T inversion (ischemia)

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9
Q

Aortic regurgitation

A

Causes: endocarditis, rheumatic fever, marfan’s syndrome, osteogenesis imperfecta

Pathophysiology: Reflux of blood into LV in diastole, causing LV hypertrophy. Diastolic BP falls and coronary perfusion decreased. Cardiac ischemia develops.

Signs: diastolic murmur heard in tricuspid area in expiration. Forceful lateral apex beat, angina. ECG shows tall R waves and inverted T waves.

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10
Q

Osler’s node

A

Small, purple tender skin lesions in pads of fingers, toes, palms of hands or soles of feet, caused by immune complexes of infected micro-emboli

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11
Q

Janeway’s lesions

A

Slightly raised but non tender haemorrhagic lesions seen in patients with bacterial endocarditis. Caused by septic emboli.

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12
Q

Name 4 conditions which cause atrial fibrillation

A

Hyperthyroidism

Ischaemic heart disease

Hypertension

Pulmonary embolism

Pneumonia

Excess alcohol

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