Cardiology Flashcards
Asystole
is complete cessation of all mechanical and electrical activity in the heart
Atrial Fibrillation
a rapid, irregularly irregular rhythm with supraventricular morphology QRS complexes, no identifiable P waves, and the presence of fibrillatory waves (f waves).
ventricular premature complexes (VPCs)
Premature contraction of the ventricles, initiated by one of the ventricles from a location other than the normal cardiac conduction system.
APC EKG
Wide and bizarre QRS shape and by the presence or absence of a P wave.
Atrial Premature Complex (APC)
Premature contractions of the atria initiated by one of the atria from a location other than the normal sinus heartbeat, which originates in the sinoatrial node.
ventricular tachycardia
An abnormally high heart rate initiated and sustained by one of the ventricles instead of the SA node
Atrial premature complexes
Abnormal impulses originating from the atrial myocardium instead of the SA node
P Wave
Atrial depolarization followed by atria contraction
P-Q interval:
Conduction across the atrioventricular node
Q wave:
Depolarization of the interventricular septum
R wave:
Depolarization of the main mass of the ventricles
S wave:
The final depolarization of the ventricles at the base of the heart
T wave:
Repolarization of the ventricles
Preload (cardiology)
The measure of the amount of fluid being forced into the heart from the body.
(think of this has how much blood is going to be pumped out)
Afterload (cardiology)
The measure of how much pressure the heart must work against in order to pump blood to the body. (Think of this as blood existing in arteries)
Stroke volume
The amount of blood moved with each contraction of the heart and is determined in part by preload and afterload.
Compensatory mechanisms of the heart to raise falling blood pressure include
Increase in the heart rate
Increase in the stroke volume
Increase in the efficiency of contraction
Undergoing physiological heart enlargement
Factors that can predispose the heart to arrhythmias include the following:
Any condition that causes hypoxia
Electrolyte imbalances
Increased levels of or increased sensitivity to catecholamines
Drugs such as digoxin, thiobarbiturates, halothane, or xylazine
Cardiac trauma (injuries or wounds) or disease resulting in damaged heart cells
Kidney relation to the heart
The kidneys react to the lowered blood pressure by their renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), which causes the release of aldosterone. The aldosterone causes the kidneys to reabsorb more water and retain sodium (salt), which helps to raise blood pressure. In the short term, the absorbed water and sodium are helpful.
Nitroglycerine
A venodilator that reduces preload to the heart.
Applied as an ointment to hairless areas of the body, and often the animal’s ear is used.
Bandaged to prevent the animal from rubbing the ointment off or to keep humans from getting it on their skin.
renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system
controls blood pressure and sodium homeostasis and effects kidney and heart
