Cardiology Flashcards
aortic aneurysm
a bluge in a section of the aorta causing the arota to be overstretched and weak and increasing the likelihood that it may burst.
aortic stenosis
a disease of the heart valves in which the opening of the aortic valve is narrowed; this narrowing prevents the valve from opening fully which obstructs blood flow from the heart into the aorta and onward to the rest of the body.
arteriosclerosis
thickening, hardening, and loss of elasticity of the arteries resulting in impaired blood flow
atherosclerosis
a specific type of arteriosclerosis; a disease in which plaque builds up inside the arteries consisting of fats and cholesterol, which can impede blood flow. These plaques can also burst and trigger a blood clot. *Preventable and treatable*
cardiac cachexia
unintentional severe weight loss caused by heart disease which may not be able to be treated even with a high calorie high protein diet.
cardiomyopathy
a disease that weakens and enlarges the heart muscle. There are 3 main types: dilated, hypertonic, and restrictive. Cardiomyopathy makes it harder for the heart to pump blood and deliver it to the rest of the body. Cardiomyopathy can lead to heart failure - but it can also be treated. Treatment methods depend on the type of cardiomyopathy.
cardiorenal syndrome
condition characterized by both kidney and heart failure.
congestive heart failure (CHF)
occurs when the heart muscle cannot pump blood as well as it should. Conditions such as narrowed arteries in the heart (CAD) or high BP gradually leave the heart too weak or stiff to fill and pump effectively. When the heart does not circulate blood normally, the kidneys receive less blood and filter less fluid out of the circulation into the urine. The extra fluid in the circulation builds up in the lungs, liver, around the eyes, and sometimes in the legs d/t the inability of the left ventrical to deliver blood and nutrients as it is supposed to.
coronary artery disease (CAD)
narrowing of the coronary arteries (the blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle) caused by buildup of fatty material within the walls of the arteries.
coronary heart disease (CHD)
the build-up of plaque inside the coronary arteries which supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle.
ischemic heart disease
characterized by reduced blood flow to the heart
mitral valve regurgitation
occurs when the mitral valve does not close tightly, allowing blood to flow back into the L aorta rather than staying in the L ventricle to then be ejected throughout the body. This commonly makes people feel tired or out of breath. Also called mitral valve regurgitation or mitral incompetence.
myocardial infarction
heart attack; irreversible necrosis of the heart muscle secondary to prolonged ischemia
pericarditis
swelling and irritation of the pericardium, the thin sac-like membrane that surrounds the heart. It often causes chest pain and sometimes other symptoms. It is usually sudden and short-lived.
peripheral vascular disease
often the narrowing of vessels that carry blood to the legs, arms, stomach or kidneys. Caused by plaque buildup in the inner walls of the arteries; these deposits block the normal blood flow
sick sinus syndrome
the name for a group of heart rhythm problems in which the sinus node (pacemaker) doesn’t work properly. This may result in abnormally fast or slow heart beats punctuated by long pauses. Many with this condition end up needing a pacemaker.
angina pectoris
chest pain d/t ischemia of the heart muscle, generally due to obstruction or spasm of the coronary arteries
arrhythmia
a problem with the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat; abnormal rythym.
atrial fibrillation
irregular and often rapid heart rate that commonly causes poor blood flow to the body. The heart’s upper 2 chambers beat chaotically and irregularly - out of coordination with the ventricles. Symptoms include heart palpitations, SOB, and weakness. Episodes of this may come and go, or it may be chronic
bradycardia
slow; heart rate under 60 BPM
cardioversion
medical procedure done to restore a normal heart rhythm for people who have certain types of arrhythmias. This procedure is most often done by sending electric shocks to the heart through electrodes placed on the chest.
plaque
a semi-hardened accumulation of substances from fluids that bathe the area, such as cholesterol. Cholesteral is a key component in plaques on the inner walls of vessels and can lead to blood clot formation, heart attacks, and stroke. The risk of these probelms can be reduced by maintaining normal blood cholesterol
PVC’s
premature ventricular contration. Extra, abnormal heartbeats that begin in one of the hearts ventricles. These extra beats disrupt the regular heart rhythm, sometimes causing pts to feel a flip-flop or skipped beat in the chest. This is a very common thing and most people expereince it at some point in their life.
tachycardia
abnormally fast heart rate; over 100 BPM
angiography
a medical imaging technique used to visualize the lumen of blood vessels and organ of the body, with particular interest in the arteries, veins, and heart chambers. Typically done by injecting a contrast agent into the vessel and imaging using X-ray based tequniques such as fluoroscopy
aortic valve replacement (AVR)
procedure in which a pts fialing aortic valve is replaced with an artificial heart valve
aortogram
an invasive diagnostic test using a catheter to inject dye into the arorta
arteriogram
an imagining test that uses x-rays and contrast dye to see inside the arteries
cardiac catheterization
a medical procedure used to diagnose and treat some heart conditions. A long, thin, flexible catheter is put into a blood vessel in the arm, groin, or neck and threaded to the heart. Through the catheter, the doctor can do diagnostic tests and treatments on the heart.
coronary arty bypass graft (CABG)
procedure used to treat CAD in certain circumstances; one way is to take veins from the legs or an artery in the chest is attached above the blockage and the other end is attached below the blockage. Thus, the blood is rerouted around the blockage through the new graft to reach the heart muscle.
doppler flow study
a type of ultrasound that uses sound waves to measure the flow of blood through a blood vessel
echocardiogram
uses sound waves to produce images of the heart. Commone used test that allows doctors to see how the heart is beating and pumping blood. This test can be sued to identify any abnormalities in the heart muscle or valves.
electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG)
used to monitor the heart. This test records the electrical signals, generated from the pacemaker cells, as they travel through the heart. Doctors can look for patterns among the heartbeats and rhythms to diagnose various heart conditions.
orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT)
the process of removinga failing heart and replacing it with a suitable donor heart from a person who has been declared clinically brain dead.
mitral valve replacement (MVR)
a surgery to either repair or replace the mitral valve of the heart. Mitral valve connects the L atrium and L ventricle. When the mitral vavle is calcified, it prevents the blood from moving forward. When the mitral valve is too loose, the blood tends to flow backwards. Surgery may be indicated in either of these cases.
percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA)
a minimally invasive procedure to open up blocked coronary arteries, allowing blood to circulate without open heart surgery. A special catherter is inserted into the coronary artery to be treated and has a tiny balloon in its tip; the balloon is inflated once the catheter has been placed into the narrowed area of the coronary artery. the inflation of the balloon compresses the fatty tissue in the artery and makes a larger opening inside the artery for improved blood flow.
Swan Ganz catheter
passing of a catheter into the right side of the heart and arteries leading to the lungs to monitor the heart’s function and blood flow, usually in persons who are very ill.
treadmill stress test
a screening tool used to test the effect of exertion on the heart; while walking on a treadmill at increasing levels of difficulty, the EKG, heart rate, and blood pressure of the pt are monitored.
thallium stress test
nuclear imaging test that shows how well blood flows into the heart during exercise or at rest. A radioisotope is administered intravenously. It settles into the heart muscle and pinpoints spots that are abnormal.
stent
a mesh tube (made usually from metal or plastic) that is inserted into a natural passage/conduit in the body to treat narrow or weak arteries.
cardiovascular accident
sudden death of tissue/cells in a localized area due to inadequate blood flow.
metabolic syndrome
a combination of medical disorders that, when occuring together, increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. High BP, High BG, excess body fat around the waist, abnormal cholesterol levels (low HDL), High TG levels.
endocarditis
inflammation of the inner layer of the heart, the endocardium. It usually involves the heart valves. Typically occurs when bacteria or other germs from another part of the body, such as the mouth, spread through the bloodstream and attach to damaged ares in the heart. Treatments include antibiotics, in sever cases surgery may be necessary.
unstable angina
a condition in which the heart doesn’t get enough blood flow and oxygen. It may lead to a MI.
transient ischemic attack
“mini stroke” or “warning stroke” that’s caused by a clot that is temporary. Symptoms occur rapidly and last a relatively short time. Most attacks last less than 5 minutes; the average is about 1 minute. Unlike a stroke, when a TIA is over, usually no permanent injury to the brain occurs.
INR
International Normalized Ratio
Norm: 0.8-1.1
Norm on anticoag: 2.0-3.0
HTN
hypertension
CVA
cardiovascular accident
TIA
transient ischemic attack
CXR
chest x-ray
