CV abnormal Flashcards
what is pulse pressure
systolic pressure - diastolic pressure
what is Bisferiens pulse? What condition causes it?
- significant aortic valve regurgitation
- double pulse felt due to backflow of blood in early diastole

what are the two pulses felt in Bisferiens pulse
- first carotid pulse is normal systole
- second pulse early diastolic due to the regurgitating blood

What is pulsus alternans
physical finding with aterial pulse waveform showing alternating strong and weak beats

pulsus alternans is almost always indicative of what condition? Describe the pathophysiology
- left ventricular systolic impairment
- ejection fraction will decrease -> reduction in stroke volume
- increase in end-diastolic volume
- next cycle: myocardial muscle will be stretched more than usual
- will cause an increase in myocardial contraction
- stronger systolic pulse
- will cause an increase in myocardial contraction
- ejection fraction will decrease -> reduction in stroke volume
what is jugular venous distension
- elevated jugular venous pressure (> 7 mmHg)
- sign of fluid overload
what is jugular venous pressure an indicator of
right atrial pressure; elevation suggests fluid overload
how do you measure JVD (specialized exam)
- elevate head of bed to 30 deg
- find internal jugular venous pulsations
- locate highest point of pulsation
- measure from sternal angle
- sternal angle is considered to be 5 cm above right atrium)

what JVD measurement indicates elevated right heart pressure
JVP higher than 4 cm above the sternal angle (9 cm above R. atrium) indicates elevated right heart pressure
What is the hepatojugular reflux (specialized exam) testing for?
- a test for fluid overload (heart failure)
how would you perform hepatojugular reflux (specialized exam)
- patient is supine; head at 30 deg angle
- apply firm and sustained pressure to the abd in the RUQ over the liver for greater than 10 seconds
- observe the neck for an increase in JVP, followed by a decrease as the hand is released
what indicates a positive hepatojugular reflux (specialized exam)
- JVP will increase in all patients with this maneuver, but it is exaggerated in right heart failure
- > 3 cm increase is positive
Where would you locate the apical impulse
5th intercostal space in Midclavicular line
When you locate the PMI, you should note its size and appearance. What should the PMI not exceed?
should not exceed 2.5 cm in diameter, or the width of one intercostal space
what is a thrill
a palpable murmur, usually due to vibrations that accompany loud murmurs
what is a lift (or heave)
when the cardiac impulse feels more vigorous than normal, and ca be felt or seen through the chest wall
what do lift or heaves usually indicate
right ventricle hypertrophy
- pulmonary HTN
- coronary heart disease
bell mode allows you to hear what frequency sounds?
bell mode = low frequency
- light contact with chestpiece
diaphragm mode allows you to hear what frequency sounds?
diaphragm mode = high frequency
- use firm pressure
in what two positions do you want the patient to be in to auscultate soft mumurs at the base
- sitting up
- leaning forward
- ask patient to lean forward, exhale completely, and hold
* listen at base for possible aortic or pulmonic regurgitation
in what two positions do you want the patient to be in to auscultate low pitched filling sounds
left lateral decubitus
- place bell of stethoscope on the apical impulse
the first heart sound is best heard where?
at the apex
what does the first heart sound (S1) correspond to?
systole
- aortic and pulmonic valves are forced open and blood in ejected into arteries
- closure of mitral and tricuspid valves produce S1 “lub” sound
What does a louder S1 heart sound indicate
- diseased A-V valve or more forceful closure of A-V valve
- e.g. mitral stenosis, tachycardia, fever












