Cardiovascular Pathologies Flashcards
Specific things/symptoms to look for in the history for cardiovascular issues
- Chest pain, SOB, palpitations
- Fatigue
- Syncope and dizziness
- Risk factors for cardiovascular disease
Specific things to look for in the chart for cardiovascular patients
- lab values
- ABGs, EKGs
- Medications
Examination for cardiovascular screening
- Bluish skin
- pulses
- vitals (BP, SpO2)
- heart and lung sounds
- chest wall motion and palpation
- rhythm: EKG
- Circulation and lymphatic system
what is pericarditis
inflammation of the pericardium (usually serous pericardium) or pericardial fluid
what is pericarditis caused by
usually viral infection but can also be from systemic diseases or trauma
what are the signs and symptoms of pericarditis
- Sharp Retrosternal chest pain (may radiate to back or L trap)
- Increases with cough or deep breathing
- decreases with sitting upright and leaning forward
diagnostic tool for pericarditis
auscultation - friction rub
medical work up for pericarditis
increases WBC, Sed rate, C-reactive protein, and troponins initially but will not continue to increase.
management for pericarditis
acute (not lasting longer then 3 weeks)
- rest, pain medication with anti-inflammatory drugs or steroids)
Chronic
- IV antibiotics or pericardial drainage
what is constrictive pericarditis
chronic pericarditis or pericardial effusion that results in the thickening and scarring of the pericardium
symptoms of Constrictive Pericarditis
- dyspnea
- LE and abdominal swelling
- dizziness or syncope
- retrosternal chest pain
- Jugular venus distention
what is pericardial effusion
accumulation of fluid in the pericardial space
symptoms of pericardial effusion
fullness in chest, cough, hoarseness, dysphagia
medial work up for pericardial effusion
- muffles heart and lung sounds
- dullness to percussion of left lung at angle of the scapula
- enlarged cardiac silhouette
- echocardiography
Cardiac Temponade
accumulation of fluid in the pericardial space that exerts pressure on the heart
symptoms of Cardiac Tamponade
becks triad (Hypotension, JVD with pulsus paradoxus, decreased heart sounds)
treatment for cardiac tamponade
cut a cardiac window or pericardial window
Endocarditis
Infection of the endocardium from bacteria or fungi
cause of endocarditis
bacteria travels from another part of the body
signs and symptoms of endocarditis
- flu like symptoms, pain with breathing, SOB, swelling, fever
- may hear mitral valve regurgitation on ausculation
people at highest risk for endocarditis
- artificial hear valves
- damages heart valves or congenital heart defect
medial workup for endocarditis
- increase WBC, sed rate, C-reactive protein, and blood cultures to isolate organism
- EKG
- ECHO
treatment for endocarditis
- High dose long term IV ABX
- Possible valve replacement
Myocarditis (inflammatory cardiomyopathy)
infection or inflammation of the heart wall/muscle