Cardiovascular Flashcards
What is the primary function of the heart?
The heart is a pump that propels blood forward and keeps it circulating.
What do arteries do?
Arteries take oxygenated blood to the tissues.
What do veins do?
Veins take deoxygenated blood to the heart.
What is preload?
The amount of stretch of the heart muscle as it fills up prior to contraction.
What mainly affects preload?
Blood volume and venous return.
What is afterload?
The amount of resistance the heart has to pump against to get the blood out.
What mainly affects afterload?
The constriction and/or patency of blood vessels and heart valves.
What is cardiac output (CO)?
The amount of blood pumped out of the heart every minute.
What is the formula for calculating cardiac output?
CO = HR (heart rate) x SV (stroke volume).
What are symptoms of decreased cardiac output?
- Urine output: ↓
- Blood pressure: ↓
- Breathing: ↑RR, SOB
- LOC: confusion, lethargy, restlessness
- Pain: chest pain
- Skin: pale, cool, clammy
- Pulse quality: weak
- Dizziness, fatigue
What is blood pressure?
The amount of pressure exerted on the walls of the arteries.
What is the formula for blood pressure?
BP = CO (cardiac output) x SVR (systemic vascular resistance).
What is the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS)?
A natural body system to increase blood pressure when needed to maintain homeostasis.
What happens when the RAAS is activated?
- Vasoconstriction
- Excretion of potassium
- Retention of salt & water.
What are the main drug classes used in cardiac treatment?
- Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors
- Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARB)
- Beta Blockers
- Calcium Channel Blockers
- Diuretics
What is the suffix commonly used for ACE inhibitors?
-pril.
What is the benefit of ACE inhibitors for cardiac patients?
- Lower blood pressure
- Decrease preload and afterload.
What is the suffix for Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARB)?
-sartan.
What is a common side effect to monitor for with ACE inhibitors?
Cough.
What is the suffix for beta blockers?
-lol.
What is a complication of heart failure?
Pulmonary edema.
What are the symptoms of left-sided heart failure?
- SOB
- Crackles
- Low O2 saturation.
What diagnostic tools are used for heart failure?
- Echocardiogram
- BNP (B-type natriuretic peptide)
- CXR (chest X-ray).
What is atrial fibrillation?
Excessive electrical signals originating in the atria causing numerous small contractions instead of one normal contraction.
What is a risk of atrial fibrillation?
Increased risk of clotting due to blood not moving effectively.
What are common complications of hypertension?
- Blindness
- Renal failure
- Vascular disease
- Heart failure
- Stroke.
What are the three categories of risk factors for DVT according to Virchow Triad?
- Blood flow stasis
- Vessel injury
- Hypercoagulability.
What is the first line of treatment for DVT?
Anticoagulants.
What is the purpose of diuretics in cardiac treatment?
To remove excess fluid through the kidneys by increasing urine output.
What is the significance of the ankle-brachial index?
A number of < 0.9 indicates Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD).
What is Buerger’s Disease?
Inflammation of small blood vessels in the extremities, often associated with smoking.
What is Raynaud’s Phenomenon?
Vasospasm of the arteries of the digits causing temporary restriction of blood flow.
What are the symptoms of pulmonary embolism?
Symptoms may include shortness of breath, chest pain, and rapid heart rate.
What is the purpose of anticoagulants in DVT treatment?
To prevent clots from enlarging or new clots from forming.
Fill in the blank: The heart muscle can either no longer contract strong enough to propel blood forward or it cannot expand enough to _______.
[fill in: fill properly].
What does PE stand for in the context of VTE?
Pulmonary Embolism
A condition where a blood clot travels to the lungs, blocking blood flow.
What is the purpose of a D-dimer test?
Measures levels of clot breakdown byproducts
Normal D-dimer levels indicate no DVT; high levels suggest possible DVT.
What type of medications are used for the intervention and prevention of VTE?
Anticoagulants
These drugs prevent clots from enlarging or new clots from forming.
Which anticoagulant requires monitoring of aPTT levels?
IV Heparin
aPTT stands for activated Partial Thromboplastin Time.
What is the main function of an inferior vena cava (IVC) filter?
Catches any VTE’s preventing them from going to the lungs
This procedure helps reduce the risk of pulmonary embolism.
List three prevention strategies for VTE.
- Leg exercises
- Early ambulation
- Adequate fluid intake
Additional methods include using TED hose and SCDs.
What labs should be checked prior to starting Heparin?
- CBC
- PT/INR, aPTT
- Urinalysis
- Stool for occult blood
- Creatinine
These labs help assess the patient’s readiness for anticoagulation therapy.
What is the antidote for Warfarin?
Vitamin K
Vitamin K is used to reverse the effects of Warfarin.
What causes venous insufficiency?
Malfunction of venous valves due to increased pressure
This malfunction leads to difficulty in blood leaving the extremities.
What common symptom indicates that blood is struggling to exit the tissues in venous insufficiency?
Edema
Edema is characterized by swelling due to fluid accumulation.
What is the appearance and location of stasis ulcers?
Irregularly shaped, near the ankle area
Stasis ulcers are often associated with venous insufficiency.
What is Unna boot therapy?
Gauze moistened with zinc oxide applied from toes to knee
This therapy promotes venous return and prevents stasis.
What are the three ‘E’s’ in patient teaching for venous insufficiency?
- Elevate legs for 30 min 3-4x/day
- Elastic stockings
- Exercise
These actions assist with venous return and reduce symptoms.
True or False: Cross legs at the knee for extended periods is encouraged to prevent venous insufficiency.
False
It is advised to cross legs only at the ankle for short periods.
