CARDIOVASCULAR

Question 1

Define Ischemia

Answer 1

The deficiency of blood supply in the tissues.

Question 2

Define bradycardia

Answer 2

Slow heart rate

Question 3

Define tachycardia

Answer 3

Fast heart rate

Question 4

Define systole

Answer 4

The heart in a state of contraction - increase in pressure.

Question 5

Define diastole

Answer 5

The heart in a state of relaxation - decrease in pressure.

Question 6

What is a heart murmur?

Answer 6

An abnormal sound within the heart.

Question 7

Define arrhythmia

Answer 7

Abnormal heart rhythm

Question 8

What is congenital cardiac disease?

Answer 8

Disease present at birth (possibly hereditary).

Question 9

Name two congenital cardiac diseases.

Answer 9

Patent Ductus Arteriosis.
Pulmonary stenosis - narrowing of the pulmonary arteries.
Aortic stenosis - narrowing of the aortic semi-lunar valve.
Mitral valve disease.
Persistent right aortic arch.

Question 10

What is acquired cardiac disease?

Answer 10

Disease that develops over time/throughout life.

Question 11

Name two acquired cardiac diseases.

Answer 11

Pericarditis - inflammation of the pericardium.
Endocarditis - associated with bacterial infection.

Question 12

What is Mitral Valve Disease?

Answer 12

A malformation of the mitral valve.
Mitral valve becomes thickened which means it can’t shut properly & starts to leak (producing a murmur).
When the mitral valve starts to leak, the heart has to work harder to pump blood around the body, causing problems.

Question 13

Clinical signs of Mitral Valve Disease?

Answer 13

Heart murmur
Coughing
Low energy
Quicker breathing
Collapse

Question 14

Mitral Valve Disease is common in what breeds of dog?

Answer 14

Smaller breeds - Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Terriers & Schnauzers.

Question 15

What is Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)?

Answer 15

Dilation of the heart chambers. Poor systemic function. Heart failure.

Dogs - heart enlarges & there is reduced cardiac contractility, decreasing forward flow of blood; causing congestion and heart failure.

Cats - the cause may be idiopathic, or due to taurine deficiency.

Question 16

Clinical signs of Dilated Cardiomyopathy?

Answer 16

Anorexia
Weight loss
Lethargy
Reduced exercise tolerance
Ascites
Heart murmur
Tachycardia & arrhythmias
Usually present with signs of left side heart failure.

Question 17

DCM is common in what breed types?

Answer 17

Large dog breeds - Doberman’s, Irish wolf hounds, Great Dane’s Boxers.

Question 18

What is Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy?

Answer 18

Thickening of the heart muscles interferes with relaxation of the heart, preventing normal filling, leading to poor diastolic function, decreases in cardiac output and heart failure.

In cats - condition is not uncommon & may be secondary to hyperthyroidism.

Question 19

Clinical signs of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy?

Answer 19

Most cases in cats are clinically ‘silent’, but if congestive heart failure is present, signs will include - dyspnoea, tachypnoea, tachycardia & heart murmur.

Question 20

What is congestive heart failure?

Answer 20

When the cardiac muscle fails, the heart is unable to pump efficiently, therefore clinical signs develop.

Question 21

What does congestion mean?

Answer 21

Refers to the pooling of blood in the vascular beds of the body tissue.

Question 22

Clinical signs of congestive heart failure (CHF)?

Answer 22

Tachycardia
Weak pulse
Pale MM
Tachypnoea
Coughing
Exercise intolerance
Weight loss
Restlessness
Conscious collapse
Cardiogenic shock

Question 23

What is right sided heart failure?

Answer 23

Backward heart failure.
Poor venous return to the heart.
Congestion of the liver, spleen, and intestines.
Ascites.

Question 24

What is left sided heart failure?

Answer 24

Forward heart failure.
Decreased pumping efficiency and dysrhythmias.
Poor venous return from the lungs.
Pulmonary congestion and oedema.
Tachypnoea, coughing, cyanosis.

Question 25

Name the 4 ways of diagnosing CHF.

Answer 25

1. Auscultation 2. Radiographs 3. ECG 4. Blood pressure

Question 26

Treatment of CHF.

Answer 26

Can start on preventative treatment if diagnosed early - but needs close monitoring and vet checks. A reduced calorie diet to control weigh. Angiotensin-covering enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors). Diuretics.

Question 27

What are the nursing care requirements of patients with CHF?

Answer 27

Provide a quiet, stress free environment. Administer drug therapy as prescribed by the VS. Cardiac support diet. Monitor vital signs accurately and regularly.

Question 28

What is normal haematopoiesis?

Answer 28

Production of red blood cells that occurs within the bone marrow. RBC production is controlled by the hormone erythropoietin, produced by the kidney. Additional info - takes 7 days for an RBC to develop. Lifespan of RBC is 110-120 days (in dogs) and 69-79 days (in cats).

Question 29

What is haemostasis?

Answer 29

Two phases- primary and secondary. Primary = vessels contract and platelets stick to the cut edges. Secondary = formation of a blood clot.

Question 30

What is anaemia?

Answer 30

A reduction in the circulating red blood cells, it is a clinical sign rather than a diagnosis.

Question 31

Name some signs of anaemia.

Answer 31

Pale MM Jaundice Haemorrhage Enlarged lymph nodes Weakness Exercise intolerance Tachycardia and tachypnoea

Question 32

What are the two types of anaemia?

Answer 32

Regenerative and non-regenerative.

Question 33

What is regenerative anaemia?

Answer 33

Appropriate bone marrow response. The bone marrow starts producing more red blood cells when there is a decreased amount of RBCs.

Question 34

What is non-regenerative anaemia?

Answer 34

Inappropriate bone marrow response. When the bone marrow isn’t able to produce more red blood cells that it needs.

Question 35

What is immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (ITP)?

Answer 35

Most common acquired haemostatic disorder in dogs.