Cardiovascular Genetics Flashcards
sinus node
specialized group of cells in RA that generates impulses to coordinate the pumping of blood
arrhythmia
abnormal heart beat
bradycardia
excessively slow heartbeat
tachycardia
fast heartbeat, >100bpm
V fib
ventricles beating too rapidly causing tachycardia, eventually leads to medical emergency where the ventricles quiver and are no longer pumping blood
ECG/EKG
study used to record electrical activity of the heart with probes attached to skin
p-wave
atrial activation
pr interval
time between atrial activation to ventricular activation
QRS complex
represents ventricular activation, large peak on EKG
STT wave
represents ventricular repolarization
QT interval
period of ventricular activation and recovery
Holter monitor
portable device that records cardiac activity over a period of time (at least 24h)
stress test
test measuring cardiac ability to respond to external stress (ex: drug, exercise); coupled with EKG in a controlled setting
echo
test that uses ultrasound waves to visualize heart
color doppler
can be used in echo to look for abnormal communication between the right and left sides of the heart
transthoracic echo
most common, non invasive echo
transesophageal echo
more invasive echo, but completed because of the pictures it can provide
EF
measurement of blood leaving LV with each heart beat; normally above 50%
cardiac catheterization
invasive test that involves insertion into the heart for evaluation or so another procedure may be completed
pulmonary arterial pressure
measurement of the pressure inside the pulmonary artery via cardiac catheterization
myocardial biopsy
heart tissue taken for microscopic study
PM
implanted device that provides electrical impulses for each heartbeat; used when people have conduction anomalies or slow heartbeats
ICD
electronic device implanted to monitor for and prevent arrhythmias; only device that delivers a shock to the body
syncope
fainting or brief loss of consciousness due to temporary loss of oxygenated blood