Cardiovascular Definitions Flashcards
1
Q
Acute Coronary Syndrome
A
Refers to rupture of an atheromatous plaque in a diseased coronary artery, which rapidly form an obstructive thrombus
Signs and symptoms that indicate unstable angina or acute myocardial infarction
2
Q
Afterload
A
The amount of resistance to ejection of blood from the ventricle
3
Q
Apical Impulse
A
Impulse normally palpated at the fifth ICS, left MCL
Caused by the contraction of the left ventricle
Also called point of maximal impulse
4
Q
Atrioventricular (AV) Node
A
Secondary pacemaker of the heart, located in the right atrial wall near the tricuspid valve
5
Q
Baroreceptors
A
Nerve fibers located in the aortic arch and carotid arteries that are responsible for control of blood pressure
6
Q
Cardiac Catheterization
A
An invasive procedure used to measure cardiac chamber pressures and assess patency of the coronary arteries
7
Q
Cardiac Conduction System
A
Specialized heart cells strategically located throughout the heart that are responsible for methodically generating and coordinating the transmission of electrical impulses to the myocardial cells
8
Q
Cardiac Output
A
Amount of blood pumped by each ventricle in liters per minute
9
Q
Cardiac Stress Test
A
A test used to evaluate the functioning of the heart during a period of increased oxygen demand
Test may be initiated by exercise or medications
10
Q
Contractility
A
Ability of the cardiac muscle to shorten in response to an electrical impulse
11
Q
Depolarization
A
Electrical activation of a cell caused by the influx of sodium into the cell while potassium exits
Cardiac muscle cells change from a more negatively charged state to a more positively charged state
12
Q
Diastole
A
Period of ventricular relaxation resulting in ventricular filling
13
Q
Ejection Fraction
A
Percentage of the end-diastolic blood volume ejected from the ventricle with each heartbeat
14
Q
Hemodynamic Monitoring
A
The use of pressure monitoring devices to directly measure cardiovascular function
15
Q
Hypertension
A
Blood pressure that is consistently greater than 140/90 mmHg
16
Q
Hypotension
A
A decrease in blood pressure to less than 100/60 mmHg that compromises systemic perfusion
17
Q
Murmurs
A
Sounds created by abnormal, turbulent flow of blood in the heart
18
Q
Myocardial Ischemia
A
Condition in which heart muscle cells receive less oxygen than needed
19
Q
Myocardium
A
Muscle layer of the heart responsible for the pumping action of the heart
20
Q
Normal Heart Sounds
A
Sounds produced when the valves close
Normal heart sounds are S1 (AV valves) and S2 (semilunar valves)
21
Q
Opening Snaps
A
Abnormal diastolic sound generated during opening of a rigid AV valve leaflet
22
Q
Postural/Orthostatic Hypotension
A
A significant drop in blood pressure (20 mmHg systolic or more) after an upright posture is assumed
23
Q
Preload
A
Degree of stretch of the cardiac muscle fibers at the end of diastole (ventricular filling)
24
Q
Pulmonary Vascular Resistance
A
Resistance to blood flow out of the right ventricle created by the pulmonary circulatory system
25
Pulse Deficit
The difference between the apical and radial pulse rates
26
Radioisotopes
Unstable atoms that give off small amounts of energy in the form of gamma rays as they decay
Used in cardiac nuclear medicine studies
27
Repolarization
Return of the cell to resting state, caused by the reentry of potassium while sodium exits
Process by which cardiac muscle cells return to a more negatively charged state, which is their resting state
28
S1
The first heart sound produced by the closure of the AV valves (mitral and tricuspid)
29
S2
The second heart sound produced by the closure of the semilunar valves (aortic and pulmonic)
30
S3
An abnormal heart sound detected early in diastole as resistance is met to blood entering either ventricle
Most often due to volume overload associated with heart failure
31
S4
An abnormal heart sound detected late in diastole as resistance is met to blood entering either ventricle during atrial contraction
Most often caused by hypertrophy of the ventricle
32
Sinoatrial (SA) Node
Primary pacemaker of the heart, located in the right atrium
33
Stroke Volume
The amount of blood ejected from one of the ventricles per heartbeat
34
Summation Gallop
Abnormal sounds created by the presence of an S3 and S4 during periods of tachycardia
35
Systemic Vascular Resistance
Resistance to blood flow out of the left ventricle created by the systemic circulatory system
36
Systole
Period of ventricular contraction resulting in ejection of blood from the ventricles into the pulmonary artery and aorta
37
Systolic Click
Abnormal systolic sound created by the opening of a calcified aortic or pulmonic valve during ventricular contraction
38
Telemetry
The process of continuous electrocardiographic monitoring by the transmission of radio waves rom a battery-operated transmitter worn by the patient
39
Ablation
Removal of material from the surface of an object
In the context of cardiology, it is the purposeful destruction of heart muscle cells, usually in an attempt to control a dysrhythmia
40
Antiarrhythmic Medication
A medication that suppresses or prevents a dysrhythmia
41
Artifact
Distorted, irrelevant, and extraneous ECG waveforms
42
Automaticity
Ability of cardiac cells to initiate an electrical impulse
43
Cardioversion
Electrical current administered in synchrony with the patient's own QRS complex to stop a dysrhythmia
44
Chronotropy
Rate of impulse formation
45
Conduction
Transmission of electrical impulses from one cell to another
46
Defibrillation
Electrical current administered to stop a dysrhythmia, not synchronized with the patient's QRS complex
47
Dromotropy
Conduction velocity
48
Dysrhythmia
Disorder of the formation or conduction of the electrical impulse within the heart, altering the heart rate, heart rhythm, or both and potentially causing an altered blood flow
49
Elective Replacement Indicator (ERI)
A signal produced by a pacemaker when it is interrogated to indicate a near-depleted battery
50
Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD)
A device implanted into the chest to treat dysrhythmias
51
Inotropy
Force of myocardial contraction
52
P Wave
The part of an ECG that reflects conduction of an electrical impulse through the atrium
Atrial depolarization
53
Paroxysmal
A dysrhythmia that has a sudden onset and/or termination and is usually of short duration
54
PP Interval
The duration between the beginning of one P wave and the beginning of the next P wave
Used to calculate atrial rate and rhythm
55
PR Interval
The part of an ECG that reflects conduction or an electrical impulse from the SA node to the AV node
56
Proarrhythmic
An agent that causes or exacerbates a dysrhythmia
57
QRS Complex
The part of an ECG that reflects conduction of an electrical impulse through the ventricles
Ventricular depolarization
58
QT Interval
The part of an ECG that reflects the time from ventricular depolarization through repolarization
59
RR Interval
The duration between the beginning of one QRS complex and the beginning of the next QRS complex
Used to calculate ventricular rate and rhythm
60
Sinus Rhythm
Electrical activity of the heart initiated by the SA node
61
ST Segment
The part of an ECG that reflects the end of the QRS complex and the beginning of the T wave
62
Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT)
A rhythm that originates in the conduction system above the ventricles
63
T Wave
The part of an ECG that reflects repolarization of the ventricles
64
TP Interval
The part of an ECG that reflects the time between the end of the T wave and the beginning of the next P wave
Used to identify the isoelectric line
65
U Wave
The part of an ECG that may reflect Purkinje fiber repolarization
Usually is not seen unless a patient's serum potassium level is low
66
Ventricular Tachycardia (VT)
A rhythm that originates in the ventricles
67
Angina Pectoris
Chest pain brought about by myocardial ischemia
68
Atheroma (Plaque)
Fibrous cap composed of smooth muscle cells that forms over lipid deposits within arterial vessels and protrudes into the lumen of the vessel, narrowing the lumen and obstructing blood flow
69
Atherosclerosis
Abnormal accumulation of lipid deposits and fibrous tissue within arterial walls and the lumen of a large or medium-sized artery
70
Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG)
A surgical procedure in which a blood vessel from another part of the body is grafted onto the occluded coronary artery below the occlusion in such a way that blood flow bypasses the blockage
71
High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL)
A protein-bound lipid that transports cholesterol to the liver for excretion in the bile
Composed of a higher proportion of protein to lipid than LDL
Exerts a beneficial effect on the arterial wall
72
Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL)
A protein-bound lipid that transports cholesterol to tissues in the body
Composed of a lower proportion of protein to lipid than HDL
Exerts a harmful effect on the arterial wall
73
Metabolic Syndrome
A cluster of metabolic abnormalities including insulin resistance, obesity, dyslipidemia, and hypertension that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease
74
Myocardial Infarction (MI)
Death of heart tissue caused by lack of oxygenated blood flow
75
Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI)
A procedure in which a catheter is placed in a coronary artery, and one of several methods is employed to reduce blockage within the artery
76
Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA)
A type of percutaneous coronary intervention in which a balloon is inflated within a coronary artery to break an atheroma and open the vessel lumen, improving coronary artery blood flow
77
Stent
A metal mesh that provides structural support to a coronary vessel, preventing its closure
78
Sudden Cardiac Death
Abrupt cessation of effective heart activity
79
Thrombolytic
A pharmacologic agent that breaks down blood clots
Also known as a fibrinolytic
80
Troponin
A cardiac muscle biomarker
Measurement is used as an indicator of heart muscle injury
81
Allograft
Heart valve replacement made from a human heart valve
82
Annuloplasty
Repair of a cardiac valve's outer ring
83
Aortic Valve
Semilunar valve located between the left ventricle and aorta
84
Autograft
Heart valve replacement made from the patients own heart
85
Bioprosthesis
Heart valve replacement made of tissue from an animal heart valve
86
Chordae Tendinae
Nondistensible fibrous strands connecting papillary muscles to AV valve leaflets
87
Choroplasty
Repair of chordae tendinae
88
Commissurotomy
Splitting or separating fused cardiac valve leaflets
89
Leaflet Repair
Repair of a cardiac valve's movable "flaps"
90
Mitral Valve
AV valve located between left atrium and left ventricle
91
Orthotopic Transplantation
The recipient's heart is removed and a donor heart is grafted into the same site
92
Prolapse
Stretching of an AV heart valve leaflet into the atrium during systole
93
Pulmonic Valve
Semilunar valve located between the right ventricle and pulmonary artery
94
Regurgitation
Backward flow of blood through a heart valve
95
Stenosis
Narrowing or obstruction of a cardiac valve's orifice
96
Total Artificial Heart
Mechanical device used to aid a failing heart, assisting the right and left ventricles
97
Tricuspid Valve
AV valve located between the right atrium and right ventricle
98
Valve Replacement
Insertion of a device at the site of a malfunctioning heart valve to restore blood flow in one direction through the heart
99
Valvuloplasty
Repair of a stenosed or regurgitant cardiac valve by commisurotomy, annuloplasty, leaflet repair, or choroplasty
100
Ventricular Assist Device
Mechanical device used to aid a failing right or left ventricle
101
Acute Decompensated Heart Failure
Acute exacerbation of heart failure, with signs and symptoms of severe respiratory distress and poor systemic perfusion
102
Anuria
Urine output of less that 50mL/24 hours
103
Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT)
A treatment for heart failure in which a device paces both ventricles to synchronize contractions
104
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
A fluid overload condition associated with heart failure
105
Diastolic Heart Failure
The inability of the heart to pump sufficiently because of an alteration in the ability of the heart to fill
106
Ejection Fraction (EF)
Percentage of blood volume in the ventricles at the end of diastole that is ejected during systole
A measurement of contratility
107
Heart Failure
A clinical syndrome resulting from structural or functional cardiac disorders that impair the ability of a ventricle to fill or eject blood
108
Left-Sided Heart Failure
Inability of the left ventricle to fill or eject sufficient blood into the systemic circulation
109
Oliguria
Diminished urine output
Less than 0.5mL/kg/hour
110
Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea (PND)
Shortness of breath that occurs suddenly during sleep
111
Pericardiocentesis
Procedure that involves aspiration of fluid from the pericardial sac
112
Pericardiotomy
Surgically created opening of the pericardium
113
Pulmonary Edema
Abnormal accumulation of fluid in the interstitial spaces of and alveoli of the lungs
114
Pulseless Electrical Activity (PEA)
Condition in which electrical activity is present on an ECG, but there is not an adequate pulse or blood pressure
115
Pulsus Paradoxus
Systolic blood pressure that is more than 10mmHg lower during inhalation that during exhalation
Difference is normally less than 10mmHg
116
Right-Sided Heart Failure
The inability of the right ventricle to fill or eject sufficient blood into the pulmonary circulation
117
Systolic Heart Failure
Inability of the heart to pump sufficiently because of an alteration in the ability of the heart to contract
118
Anastomosis
Junction of two vessels
119
Aneurysm
A localized sac or dilation of an artery formed at a weak point in the vessel wall
120
Angioplasty
An invasive procedure that uses a balloon-tipped catheter to dilate a stenotic area of a blood vessel
121
Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI)
Ratio of the ankle systolic pressure to the brachial systolic pressure
An objective measurement of arterial disease that provides quantification of the degree of stenosis
122
Arteriosclerosis
Diffuse process whereby the muscle fibers and the endothelial lining of the walls of small arteries and arterioles thicken
123
Bruit
Sound produced by turbulent blood flow through an irregular, tortuous, stenotic, or dilated vessel
124
Dissection
Separation of the weakened elastic and fibromuscular elements in the medial layer of an artery
125
Duplex Ultrasonography
Combines B-mode grayscale imaging of tissue, organs, and blood vessels with capabilities of estimating velocity changes by the use of a pulsed Doppler
126
Intermittent Claudication
A muscular, cramplike pain in the extremities consistently reproduced with the same degree of exercise or activity and relieved by rest
127
Rest Pain
A persistent pain in the foot or digits when the patient is resting, indicating a severe degree of arterial insufficiency
128
Rubor
Reddish-blue discoloration of the extremities
Indicative of severe peripheral arterial damage in vessels that remain dilated and unable to constrict
129
Dyslipidemia
Abnormal blood lipid levels, including high total, low-density lipoprotein, and triglyceride levels as well as low high-density lipoprotein levels
130
Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)
Flow rate of filtered fluid through the kidney
An indicator of renal function
131
Hypertensive Emergency
A situation in which blood pressure is severely elevated and there is evidence of actual or probable target organ damage
132
Hypertensive Urgency
A situation in which blood pressure is severely elevated but there is no evidence of target organ damage
133
Isolated Systolic Hypertension
A condition most commonly seen in the older adult in which the systolic pressure is greater than 140 mmHg and the diastolic pressure is within normal limits (less than 90 mmHg)
134
Monotherapy
Medication therapy with a single medication
135
Primary Hypertension
Denotes high blood pressure from an unidentified cause
Also called essential hypertension
136
Rebound Hypertension
Blood pressure that is controlled with medication and becomes uncontrolled with the abrupt discontinuation of medication
137
Secondary Hypertension
High blood pressure from an identified cause
