Cardiac emergency Lecture Flashcards
What is congestive heart failure?
inability of the heart to pump all of the blood that is presented to it by the venous system
What are key points of congestive heart failure?
It can be left sided, right sided, or both
problem than can occur with left or right ventricular failure is a condition known as cardiogenic shock.
What are the key points of Left sided CHF?
a drop in systolic blood pressure (to include frank hypotension), diminished or absent peripheral pulse amplitude, altered mental status, changes in the heart rate, poor urinary output, respiratory distress, inspiratory rales, and possible pulmonary edema.
What are the key points of Right Sided CHF?
right ventricular failure, blood backs up into the venous system. The right side of the heart may fail due to failure of the left ventricle. It may also fail due to hypertension
Signs include peripheral edema, jugular vein distention, and liver enlargement
signs of Pure R side Heart failure
low to normal systolic bp
clear lung sounds
jvd/peripheral edema
Signs of pure L side heart failure
normal to high systolic bp
inspiratory rales
pulmonary edema
what is an aortic aneurysm
occurs when a weakened section of the aortic wall, usually resulting from atherosclerosis, begins to dilate or balloon outward from the pressure exerted by the blood flowing through the vessel.
S/s of an aortic aneurysm?
Pain may be felt, especially in the back, when the aneurysm gets large enough, perhaps shortly before rupture occurs.
Usually, you cannot feel the aorta on physical examination; however, at this final stage, you may be able to feel it as a pulsating mass in the abdomen. This may be difficult or impossible to detect in a heavy-set patient.
What is an aortic dissection?
occurs when there is a tear in the inner lining of the aorta and blood enters the opening and causes separation of the layers of the aortic wall. Aortic dissections occur most often in the area of the thorax.
What are the s/s of an aortic dissection?
The pain is usually most severe when the dissection first occurs, and a patient often describes it as “sharp” pain, or sometimes as a “tearing” or “ripping” pain, often felt in the back, flank, or arm.
Syncope may be the only sign in some patients. Depending on the location of the dissection along the aorta, it may cause symptoms similar to a stroke or myocardial infarction and, in fact, may lead to a myocardial infarction or other damage to the heart.
What is arteriosclerosis?
Progressive fatty deposits which narrow the artery
Downstream tissues become oxygen-starved
MI is one result of this oxygen deprivation
What is atherosclerosis key points?
As buildup occurs in arteries, their diameters narrow
Narrowed arteries are harder for heart to push blood through
Heart uses more O2 as it pumps harder
No more available, however, because of coronary artery narrowing
Insufficient O2 delivered to the heart causes cardiac ischemia
What is Ischemia?
deficient supply of blood to a body part
What is Acute Coronary Syndrome?
results from a variety of conditions that can affect the heart in which the coronary arteries are narrowed or occluded by fat deposits (plaque), clots, or spasm.
ACS S/s?
Chest pain or discomfort, which may involve pressure, tightness or fullness
Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the jaw, neck, back or stomach
Shortness of breath
Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
Nausea
Sweating
