Cardiovascular Flashcards
What are the main causes of Ventricular Tachycardia?
- Acute myocardial infarction
- Hypokalemia
- Hypomagnesemia
- Dilated Cardiomyopathy
What is restrictive cardiomyopathy?
When there are abnormalities in ventricle function leading to preserved systolic function.
Signs/symptoms of restrictive cardiomyopathy
1) Smaller ventricles &large atria
2) Diastolic HF
3) Orthopnea & DOE
4) Liver enlargement
5) Exercise intolerance
6) S3 &S4 heart sounds
7) Amyloidosis
What is orthopnea?
Difficulty/discomfort when lying down flat
What medication is contraindicated in patient’s with restrictive cardiomyopathy?
Digoxin
What can cause prolonged QT syndrome?
1) Hypokalemia
2) Hypocalcemia
3) Hypomagnesemia
4) CNS injury
5) Drug Toxicities
What are the risks of prolonged QT syndrome?
1) Torsades de pointes
2) Polymorphic Ventricular tachycardia
Hypertensive Emergency
When systolic BP is ≥ 180 and/or diastolic BP is ≥ 120
What caution must you take when managing a Hypertensive emergency?
Do not lower MAP > 20% as it can cause brain ischemia d/t abnormal cerebral flow auto regulation.
Complications of Hypertensive emergency
1) MI
2) Stroke
3) Seizures
What symptoms do we monitor patients for that are also signs of hypertensive encephalopathy in patient’s w/ a hypertensive emergency?
1) Signs of Heart Failure
2) Widening Pulse Pressure
3) Seizures
Mitral Regurgitation
It is the dysfunction of the mitral valve resulting in blood being forced back through the valve and fluid backing into the lungs.
Signs and symptoms of mitral regurgitation
1) Diffuse crackles
2) Heart murmur
Pericarditis
It is the inflammation of the pericardium (the sac that surrounds the heart). It becomes rough and inflamed irritating the adjacent pericardium.
Signs/Symptoms of Pericarditis
1) Elevated WBC & ESR
2) Friction Rub/Crackles
3) SOB
4) Fever
5) Sharp stabbing pain in the chest
Defining symptom: Sharp constant chest pain that is worse when lying down and is alleviated when sitting up or leaning forward
How is pericarditis diagnosed?
Echocardiogram
Cardiac Tamponade
When there is an accumulation of blood in the mediastinal space and thus impairing the the heart’s ability to pump.
Signs/Symptoms of Cardiac Tamponade
1) Decreased Cardiac Output
2) Decreased BP
3) Tachycardia
4) Tachypnea
5) Muffled Heart Sounds
6) JVD
7) Pulses Paradoxus
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
When the ventricle thickens leading to a smaller ventricular chamber.
Signs/Symptoms of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
1) Chest Pain
2) Orthopnea
3) Dyspnea
4) Systolic murmur
Dobutamine
An inotropic med that causes mild vasodilation and is useful for after load reduction in heart failure.
Inotrope
A medication that change the force of the heart’s contraction.
What does Amiodarone do?
It is an anti arrhythmic that helps treat irregular heartbeats such as A-fib. It causes vasodilation and can cause a drop in BP
What are long term complications of amiodarone?
1) Pulmonary toxicity (must monitor SOB and cough)
2) Alveolitis
3) Pulmonary Fibrosis
4) Pneumonitis
5) ARDS
Hypokalemia EKG changes
Prominent U waves and ST Depression
Hyperkalemia EKG changes
ST depression, prolonged PR interval, & Peaked T waves
MI Complication
V-Tach
Mitral Stenosis Complication
A-fib
Radiation is a risk factor for which type of cardiomyopathy?
Restrictive
If a patient has a pacemaker and the pacer spikes are not followed by a corresponding QRS, what should you do?
Increase output (mA)
What is the drug of choice for pericarditis associated with recent MI?
NSAIDs
ACE inhibitors such as lisinopril help to slow the progression of which disease?
Heart failure
What is the best treatment for uncontrolled A-fib in patient’s who have undergone recent cardiac surgery?
Beta Blockers
The VVI mode in a pacemaker is used for which cardiac rhythms?
A-fib w/ or w/o symptomatic pauses or in Bradycardia
