Cardiology Flashcards
What is an Aneurysm?
Ballooning of vessels exacerbated by certain disease processes affecting the endothelium—most common at weaker sites, bifurcations.
Where are the 3 main sites for aneurysm?
-Cerebral
-thoracic
-abdominal
What are the 3 DeBakey classification of aortic aneurysm?
(Type I, II, III)
The DeBakey classification divides dissections into 3 types, as follows:
Type I involves the ascending aorta, aortic arch, and descending aorta
Type II is confined to the ascending aorta
Type III is confined to the descending aorta distal to the left subclavian artery
Describe Arteriosclerosis
Arteriosclerosis occurs when the blood vessels become thick and stiff due to excessive uptake of cholesterol into the endothelium
What is atherosclerosis?
Atherosclerosis is characterized by patchy intimal plaques (atheromas) that encroach on the lumen of medium-sized and large arteries; the plaques contain lipids, inflammatory cells, smooth muscle cells, and connective tissue. Risk factors include dyslipidemia, diabetes, cigarette smoking, family history, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, and hypertension
define hypertension
Hypertension is sustained elevation of resting systolic blood pressure (≥ 130 mm Hg), diastolic blood pressure (≥ 80 mm Hg), or both
What’s the Main Difference Between Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) vs. Peripheral Venous Disease (PVD).
PAD means you have narrowed or blocked arteries -PVD, on the other hand, refers to problems with veins.
PAD symptoms
-Coldness in one of the lower leg/foot
-Leg numbness or weakness
-No pulse or a weak pulse in the legs
-Painful cramping (claudication) in one or both of the legs
-Shiny skin on the legs
-Skin color changes on the legs
-Sores on the toes, feet or legs that won’t heal
-Hair loss or slower hair growth on the legs
Primary hypertension
Hypertension with no known cause (primary; formerly, essential, hypertension) is most common.
Secondary hypertension
Hypertension with an identified cause (secondary hypertension) is usually due to sleep apnea, chronic kidney disease, primary aldosteronism, diabetes, or obesity
Whatis Endocarditis?
Endocarditis, sometimes called infective endocarditis (IE) is an infection of the inner lining of the heart and may include the heart chambers, one or more heart valves or the septum.
What causes endocarditis?
The most common bacterial causes of infections are:
Viridans Streptococci
Staphylococcus Aureus
What are some predisposing Risk Factors of Endocarditis:
Artificial heart valves
Previous history of endocarditis
Heart valves damaged by rheumatic fever
Congenital heart or heart valve defects
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Intravascular catheters
Recent dental work
Intravenous drug use
What are some signs/symptoms of endocarditis?
-Fever
-Rigors: An acute onset of uncontrollable shivering and chills. It may be accompanied by profuse diaphoresis and elevated temperature.
-Petechiae (tiny purple or red spots on the skin, sclera or mouth)
-Osler’s nodes (red, painful nodes on the pads of the fingers & toes)
-Janeway lesions (red, painless skin spots on the palms & soles)
-Splinter hemorrhages (small areas of bleeding under the nails)
what is petechiae
-tiny purple or red spots on the skin, sclera or mouth
seen in endocarditis
what are Janeway lesions
-red, painless skin spots on the palms & soles
seen in endocarditis
what are Osler’s nodes
-red, painful nodes on the pads of the fingers & toes
seen in endocarditis
What are some ECG changes seen in endocarditis?
-Increased PR interval
-Conduction abnormalities
-Low QRS voltage
-ST elevation
-Atrioventricular dissociation including atrioventricular blocks with accelerated junctional escape rhythms
-Heart blocks including first degree and complete heart block
-Ventricular tachycardia
-Supraventricular tachycardia
What is Pericarditis?
Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium.