Cardiovascular Flashcards
Afterload:
Afterload refers to the force or resistance against which the heart must pump to eject blood from the left ventricle into the aorta. It is primarily determined by the systemic vascular resistance and plays a role in the workload of the heart.
Cardiac Output:
Cardiac output is the amount of blood pumped by the heart per minute. It is calculated by multiplying the stroke volume (the amount of blood ejected with each heartbeat) by the heart rate (the number of heartbeats per minute).
Ejection Fraction:
Ejection fraction is a measure of the percentage of blood pumped out of the left ventricle with each contraction. It is used to assess the heart’s pumping efficiency and is often expressed as a percentage.
Hypertension:
Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is a medical condition characterized by elevated blood pressure in the arteries. It can strain the heart and lead to various cardiovascular problems if left untreated.
Hypotension:
Hypotension is the opposite of hypertension and refers to abnormally low blood pressure. It can lead to symptoms like dizziness, fainting, and inadequate blood flow to vital organs.
Infarction/Necrosis:
Infarction refers to tissue death caused by a lack of blood supply, typically due to a blockage in an artery. Necrosis is the irreversible death of cells or tissues in the body.
Ischemia:
Ischemia is a condition where there is reduced blood flow to a particular organ or tissue, often due to a blockage or constriction in the blood vessels. It can lead to tissue damage if not resolved promptly.
Myocardial Contractility:
Myocardial contractility is the ability of the heart muscle (myocardium) to contract and generate force to pump blood. It is an essential factor in determining the heart’s pumping function.
Orthostatic Hypotension:
Orthostatic hypotension is a sudden drop in blood pressure that occurs when a person transitions from lying down or sitting to standing up. It can cause lightheadedness and, in severe cases, fainting.
Preload:
Preload is the amount of blood that fills the heart’s ventricles during diastole (the relaxation phase of the cardiac cycle) just before the heart contracts. It is an important factor in determining stroke volume.
Pulmonary Embolism:
Pulmonary embolism is a potentially life-threatening condition where a blood clot (embolus) travels to the lungs and blocks one or more pulmonary arteries, disrupting blood flow.
Pulse Pressure:
Pulse pressure is the difference between the systolic blood pressure (the pressure during heartbeats) and diastolic blood pressure (the pressure between heartbeats). It reflects the force generated by the heart with each beat.
Pulsus Alternans:
Pulsus alternans is a pulse pattern characterized by alternating strong and weak beats. It can be a sign of compromised left ventricular function in the heart.
Stroke:
A stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is disrupted, either due to a blocked artery (ischemic stroke) or a ruptured blood vessel (hemorrhagic stroke). It can result in brain damage and various neurological deficits.
Stroke Volume:
Stroke volume is the amount of blood ejected from the left ventricle with each heartbeat. It is an important component in the calculation of cardiac output.
Venous Thrombo-Embolism:
Venous thrombo-embolism (VTE) is a condition where blood clots form in the veins, most commonly in the deep veins of the legs (deep vein thrombosis), and can travel to the lungs (pulmonary embolism). VTE is a serious medical condition and requires prompt treatment.
Perfusion:
Passage of
fluid through
the circulatory
system or
lymphatic
system to an
organ or tissue.
Cardiac output
Ejection Fraction
◦ The % of blood
pumped out of
left ventricle with
each contraction
◦ Expressed as a
percentage
◦ Normal= > 50%
◦ Less than 40%=
heart failure
Blood Pressure
Pulse Pressure
Pulsus Alternans
BP Categories
Factors influencing
Blood Pressure
