Chapter 11: Cardiovascular System: Pathology and Laboratory Tests Flashcards
arrhythmias
Abnormal heart rhythms (dysrhythmias).
bradycardia and heart block
atrioventricular block
Failure of proper conduction of impulses from the SA node through the AV node to the atrioventricular bundle (bundle of His).
flutter
Rapid but regular contractions, usually of the atria.
fibrillation
Very rapid, random, inefficient, and irregular contractions of the heart
congential heart disease
Abnormalities in the heart at birth
coarctation of the aorta
Narrowing (coarctation) of the aorta
patent ductus arteriosus
Passageway (ductus arteriosus) between the aorta and the pulmonary artery remains open (patent) after birth.
septal defects
Small holes in the wall between the atria (atrial septal defects) or the ventricles (ventricular septal defects).
tetralogy of Fallot
Congenital malformation involving four (4) distinct heart defects.
congestive heart failure
Heart is unable to pump its required amount of blood.
coronary artery disease
Disease of the arteries surrounding the heart.
endocarditis
Inflammation of the inner lining of the heart.
hypertensive heart disease
High blood pressure affecting the heart.
mitral valve prolapse
Improper closure of the mitral valve.
murmur
Extra heart sound, heard between normal beats.
pericarditis
Inflammation of the membrane (pericardium) surrounding the heart.
rheumatic heart disease
Heart disease caused by rheumatic fever.
aneurysm
Local widening (dilation) of an arterial wall.
deep vein thrombosis
Blood clot (thrombus) forms in a large vein, usually in a lower limb.
hypertension
High blood pressure
peripheral arterial disease
Blockage of arteries carrying blood to the legs, arms, kidneys, and other organs.
Raynaud’s disease
Recurrent episodes of pallor and cyanosis primarily in fingers and toes.
varicose veins
Abnormally swollen and twisted veins, usually occurring in the legs.
acute coronary syndroms
Unstable angina and myocardial infarction (heart attack), which are consequences of plaque rupture in coronary arteries.
angina (pectoris)
Chest pain resulting from myocardial ischemia. Stable angina occurs predictably with exertion. Unstable angina is chest pain that occurs more often and with less exertion.
angiotensin-converting enzume inhibitor
Antihypertensive drug that blocks the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, causing blood vessels to dilate. It prevents heart attacks, CHF, stroke, and death.
auscultation
Listening for sounds in blood vessels or other body structures, typically using a stethoscope.
beta blocker
Drug used to treat angina, hypertension, and arrhythmias. It blocks the action of epinephrine (adrenaline) at receptor sites on cells, slowing the heartbeat and reducing the workload on the heart.
biventricular pacemaker
Device enabling ventricles to beat together (in synchrony) so that more blood is pumped out of the heart.
bruit
Abnormal blowing or swishing sound heard during auscultation of an artery or organ.
calcium channel blocker
Drug used to treat angina and hypertension. It dilates blood vessels by blocking the influx of calcium into muscle cells lining vessels.
cardiac arrest
Sudden, unexpected stoppage of heart action, often leading to sudden cardiac death.
cardiac tamponade
Pressure on the heart caused by fluid in the pericardial space.
claudication
Pain, tension, and weakness in a leg after walking has begun, but absence of pain at rest.
digoxin
Drug that treats arrhythmias and strengthens the heartbeat.
embolus
(singular)
emboli
(plural)
Clot or other substance that ravels to a distant location and suddenly blocks a blood vessel.
infarction
Area of dead tissue
nitrates
Drugs used in the treatment of angina. They dilate blood vessels, increasing blood flow and oxygen to myocardial tissue.
nitroglycerin
Nitrate drug used in the treatment of angina.
occlusion
Closure of a blood vessel due to blockage.
palpitations
Uncomfortable sensations in the chest related to cardiac arrhythmias.
patent
Open
pericardial friction rub
Scraping or grating noise heard on auscultation of the heart.
petechiae
Small pinpoint hemorrhages.
statins
Drugs used to lower cholesterol in the bloodstream.
thrill
Vibration felt over an area of turmoil in blood flow (as a blocked artery).
vegetations
Clumps of platelets, clotting proteins, microrganisms, and red blood cells on diseased heart valves.
BNP test
Measurement of BNP (brain natriuretic peptide) in blood.
cardiac biomarkers
Chemicals are measured in the blood as evidence of a heart attack.
lipid tests (lipid profile)
Measurement of cholesterol and triglycerides (fats) in a blood sample.
lipoprotein electrophoresis
Lipoproteins (combinations of fat and protein) are physically separated and measured in a blood sample.
angiography
X-ray imaging of blood vessels after injection of contrast material.
computed tomography angiography
3D x-ray images of heart and coronary arteries using computed tomography.
digital subtraction angiography
Video equipment and a computer produce x-ray images of blood vessels.
electron beam computed tomography
Electron beams and CT identify calcium deposits in and around coronary arteries to diagnose early CAD.
Doppler ultrasound studies
Sound waves measure blood flow within blood vessels.
echocardiography (ECHO)
Echoes generated by high-frequency sound waves produce images of the heart.
positron emission tomography (PET) scan
Images show blood flow and myocardial function following uptake of radioactive glucose.
technetium Tc 99m sestamibi scan
Technetium TC 99m sestamibi injected intravenously is taken up in cardiac tissue, where it is detected by scanning.
thallium 201 scan
Concentration of radioactive thallium is measured to give information about blood supply to the heart muscle.
cardiac MRI
Images of the heart are produced using radiowave energy in a magnetic field.
cardiac catheterization
Thin, flexible tube is guided into the heart via a vein or an artery.
electrocardiography
Recording of electricity flowing through the heart.
Holter monitoring
An ECG device is worn during a 24 hour period to detect cardiac arrhythmias.
stress test
Exercise tolerance test determines the heart’s response to physical exertion.
catheter ablation
Brief delivery of radiofrequency energy to destroy areas of heart tissue that may be causing arrhythmias.
coronary artery bypass grafting
Arteries and veins are anastomosed to coronary arteries to detour around blockages.
defibrillation
Brief discharges of electricity are applied across the chest to stop dysrhythmias (ventricular fibrillation).
endarterectomy
Surgical removal of plaque from the inner layer of an artery.
extracorporeal circulation
Heart-lung machine diverts blood from the heart and lungs while the heart is repaired.
heart transplantation
Donor heart is transferred to a recipient.
percutaneous coronary intervention
Balloon-tipped catheter is inserted into a coronary artery to open the artery; stents are put in place.
thrombolytic therapy
Drugs to dissolve clots are injected into the bloodstream of patients with coronary thrombosis.
transcatheter aortic valve replacement
Placement of a balloon-expandable aortic heart valve into the body via a catheter.
