Cardiac Pathology Flashcards
What is an aneurysm? What are the common signs and symptoms?
A localized abnormal dilation of a blood vessel usually in an artery especially in the brain, abdominal aorta, or thoracic aorta
SxS are variable based on the site of the aneurysm with aortic aneurysms typically being asymptomatic, abdominal aneurysms causing a pulsing sensation near the navel and cerebral aneurysms being the most dangerous and can cause seizure, severe headache, vomiting, loss of consciousness, and double vision
What is angina pectoris? What are the three main types?
sensation of pressure or discomfort resulting from myocardial ischemia
Stable angina: occurs at predictable levels of exertion and responds to rest or nitroglycerin
Unstable Angina: more intesne and lasts longer and is precipitated by less exertion or spontaneously at rest and can be progressive
Prinzmetal (variant) Angina: occurs due to coronary artery spasm most associated w/ CAD
What is atherosclerosis?
narrowing of an artery due to progressive accumulation of fatty plaques on the inner walls which can eventually cause a blood clot
What is cardiomyopathy?
What are the three main types?
a group of conditions that affect the myocardium, impairing the ability of the heart to contract and relax
3 main types are dilated, hypertrophic, and restrictive
What are the signs and symptoms of cardiomyopathy?
in the early stages there are no symptoms but as it progresses a patient can experience breathlessness with exertion or at rest, swelling of the legs/ankles/feet, bloating of the abdomen due to fluid build up, an irregular heartbeat, dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting
What is chronic venous insufficiency?
What are the signs and symptoms?
a condition in which the veins and valves of the lower extremities are damaged and stop blood from flowing back to the heart which causes veins to remain filled with blood
SxS include leg swelling, varicose veins, aching, heaviness or cramping, itching, redness or skin ulcers of the legs and ankles
What is an Atrial septal defect?
A failure to close the foramen ovale after birth which can cause blood to flow from the right atrium to the left atrium in adults, if it is small enough it can be asymptomatic but if not it can cause blood to be circulated without being oxygenated from the lungs
What is coarctation of the aorta?
A congenital defect with narrowing of the aorta at the ductus arteriosus which can affect blood flow if the narrowing is severe enough but can also be asymptomatic until adulthood
What is a patent ductus arteriosus?
a congenital defect in which the ductus arteriosus does not close after birth resulting in blood being shunted from pulmonary artery directly into the aorta
What is a ventricular septal defect?
congenital defect in which the septum that separates the ventricles does not close results in backflow from the LV to the RV and overloading the lungs with blood
What is Tetralogy of Fallot?
a combo of 4 heart defects including 1-ventricular septal defect 2-pulmonary stenosis 3-right ventricular hypertrophy 4- aorta overriding the ventricular septal defect
What is Cor pulmonale?
What are the signs and symptoms?
also known as pulmonary heart disease and refers to hypertrophy of the right ventricle caused by altered structure or function of the lungs
SxS include: prgressive SoB, fatigue, palpitations, atypical chest pain, LE swelling, dizziness, and syncope
What is a Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)?
what are the signs and symptoms?
a blood clot in one or more of the deep veins, usually in the LE which can potentially break loose and travel to the lungs resulting in an embolism
SxS include: swelling, pain, redness, and warmth of the affected leg but 50% of the time is asymptomatic
What is endocarditis?
inflammation of the endothelium that lines the heart and cardiac valves which can damage or destroy the heart and become life-threatening if left untreated
What is myocarditis?
inflammation and weakness of the myocardium which can lead to symptoms of heart failure
