Cardio & Pulmonary Flashcards
Name the 4 valves in the heart.
Tricuspid valve
Mitral valve
Pulmonary valve
Aortic valve
Where is the tricuspid valve located?
Between the right atrium and the right ventricle
Where is the mitral valve located?
Between the left atrium and the left ventricle
What are the 3 layers of the the heart walls?
Endocardium - Smooth surface for blood to flow
Myocardium - The muscle layer
Pericardium - Lubricates the heart and prevents too much diastole
What is diastole?
Phase of heart rhythm where the heart relaxes and blood fills the heart, usually the ventricles.
What is systole?
Phase of heart rhythm where the heart (usually the ventricles) contract and pump blood into the pulmonary and aortic trunks.
Describe the conduction or electrical system of the heart.
The electrical impulse begins in the sinoatrial (SA) node, located in the posterior right atrium. It travels through the walls of the atria, causing contraction, then it goes to the atrioventricular (AV) node near the tricuspid valve where the signal is slowed before entering the ventricles, allowing time for atria to fill. The impulse then continues through the ventricular walls, causing contraction.
What are the components of normal sinus rhythm on the ECG?
P wave: Atrial contraction
QRS complex: Ventricular contraction
T wave: Repolarization
What is arrhythmia?
Abnormal rhythms that deviate from normal sinus rhythm.
What is bradycardia?
Heart beating too slowly, < 60 bpm
What is tachycardia?
Heart beating too quickly, > 100 bpm
What is fibrillation?
Uncoordinated contractions of the heart
What is the most common arrhythmia managed by emergency physicians?
Atrial fibrillation or A-fib
True or False: Atrial fibrillation or A-fib is a life-threatening condition.
False. However, it can lead to blood pooling in the atria which are more likely to clot, leading to thrombosis and stroke.
What causes atrial fibrillation?
Abnormal electrical signals received by atria
What are the symptoms of atrial fibrillation?
Feeling of pounding or irregular heart beat
Shortness of breath
Tiredness
Dizziness or fainting
True or False: When patients are in rapid a-fib (> 120 bpm) they are often considered not appropriate for therapy.
True.
What is ventricular tachycardia?
Fast heart rhythm originating in one of the ventricles
What is ventricular fibrillation?
Uncoordinated contractions of the ventricles
True or False: Ventricular tachycardia requires immediate BLS interventions.
False. It is not immediately life-threatening, but could potentially be life-threatening as it could lead to ventricular fibrillation, asystole, and sudden death.
True or False: Ventricular fibrillation requires immediate BLS interventions.
True.
What are the two devices for arrhythmia?
Pacemaker
Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)
What does a pacemaker generally treat?
A slow heart rhythm
What do pacemakers do?
Monitors rhythm and generates electrical signals if needed