Chapter 11: Pathology, Lab Tests

Question 1

arrhythmias

Answer 1

abnormal heart rhythms (dysrhythmias)

Question 2

bradycardia and heart block (atrioventricular block)

Answer 2

failure of proper conduction of impulses from the SA node through the AV node to the atrioventricular bundle (bundle of His)

Question 3

flutter

Answer 3

rapid but regular contractions, usually of the atria

Question 4

fibrillation

Answer 4

very rapid, random, inefficient and irregular contractions of the heart (350 beats or more per minute)

Question 5

palpitations

Answer 5

uncomfortable sensations in the chest from missed heartbeats

Question 6

palpation

Answer 6

to touch, feel or examine with the hands and fingers

Question 7

congenital heart disease

Answer 7

abnormalities in the heart at birth

Question 8

coarctation of the aorta (CoA)

Answer 8

narrowing (coarctation) of the aorta

Question 9

patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)

Answer 9

passageway (ductus arteriosus) between the aorta and the pulmonary artery remains open (patent) after birth

Question 10

septal defects

Answer 10

small holes in the wall between the atria (atrial septal defects) or the ventricles (ventricular septal defects)

Question 11

tetralogy of Fallot

Answer 11

congenital malformation involving four (tetra-) distinct heart defects

Question 12

congestive heart failure (CHF)

Answer 12

heart is unable to pump its required amount of blood

Question 13

coronary artery disease (CAD)

Answer 13

disease of the arteries surrounding the heart

Question 14

endocarditis

Answer 14

inflammation of the inner lining of the heart

Question 15

hypertensive heart disease

Answer 15

high blood pressure affecting the heart

Question 16

mitral valve prolapse (MVP)

Answer 16

improper closure of the mitral valve

Question 17

murmur

Answer 17

extra heart sound, heard between normal beats

Question 18

pericarditis

Answer 18

inflammation of the membrane (pericardium) surrounding the heart

Question 19

rheumatic heart disease

Answer 19

heart disease caused by rheumatic fever

Question 20

aneurysm

Answer 20

local widening (dilation) of an arterial wall

Question 21

deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

Answer 21

blood clot (thrombus) forms in a large vein, usually in a lower limb

Question 22

hypertension (HTN)

Answer 22

high blood pressure

Question 23

peripheral arterial disease (PAD)

Answer 23

blockage of arteries carrying blood to the legs, arms, kidneys and other organs

Question 24

raynaud disease

Answer 24

recurrent episodes of pallor and cyanosis primarily in fingers and toes

Question 25

varicose veins

Answer 25

abnormally swollen and twisted veins, usually occurring in the legs

Question 26

BNP test

Answer 26

measurement of BNP (brain natriuretic peptide) in blood

Question 27

cardiac biomarkers

Answer 27

chemicals are measured in the blood as evidence of a heart attack

Question 28

lipid tests (lipid profile)

Answer 28

measurement of cholesterol and triglycerides (fats) in a blood sample

Question 29

lioprotein electrophoresis

Answer 29

lipoproteins (combinations of fat and protein) are physically separated and measured in a blood sample

Question 30

angiography

Answer 30

x-ray imaging of blood vessels after injection of contrast material

Question 31

computed tomography angiography (CTA)

Answer 31

three-dimensional x-ray images of the heart and coronary arteries using computed tomography (64-slice CT scanner)

Question 32

digital subtraction angiography (DSA)

Answer 32

video equipment and a computer produce x-ray images of blood vessels

Question 33

electron beam computed tomography (EBCT or EBT)

Answer 33

electron beans and CT identify calcium deposits in and around coronary arteries to diagnose early CAD

Question 34

Doppler ultrasound studies

Answer 34

sound waves measure blood flow within blood vessels

Question 35

echocardiography (ECHO)

Answer 35

echoes generated by high-frequency sound waves produce images of the heart

Question 36

position emission tomography (PET) scan

Answer 36

images show blood flow and myocardial function following uptake of radioactive glucose

Question 37

technetium Tc 99m sestamibi scan

Answer 37

technetium Tc 99m sestamibi injected intravenously is taken up in cardiac tissue, where it is detected by scanning

Question 38

thallium 201 scan

Answer 38

concentration of radioactive thallium is measured to give information about blood supply to the heart muscle

Question 39

cardiac MRI

Answer 39

images of the heart are produced using radiowave energy in a magnetic field

Question 40

cardiac catheterization

Answer 40

thin, flexible tube is guided into the heart via a vein or an artery

Question 41

electrocardiography (ECG)

Answer 41

recording of electricity flowing though the heart

Question 42

Holter monitering

Answer 42

an ECG device is worn during a 24-hour period to detect cardiac arrhythmias

Question 43

stress test

Answer 43

exercise tolerance test (ETT) determines the heart’s response to physical exertion (stress)

Question 44

catheter ablation

Answer 44

brief delivery of radiofrequency energy to destroy areas of heart tissue that may be causing arrhythmias

Question 45

coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)

Answer 45

arteries and veins are anastomosed to coronary arteries to detour around blockages

Question 46

defibrillation

Answer 46

brief discharges of electricity are applied across the chest to sop dysrhythmias (ventricular fibrillation)

Question 47

endarterectomy

Answer 47

surgical removal of plaque from the inner layer of an artery

Question 48

extracorporeal circulation

Answer 48

heart-lung machine diverts blood from the heart and lungs while the heart is repaired

Question 49

heart transplantation

Answer 49

a donor heart is transferred to a recipient

Question 50

percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)

Answer 50

balloon-tipped catheter is inserted into a coronary artery to open the artery; stents are put in place

Question 51

thrombolytic therapy

Answer 51

drugs to dissolve clots are injected into the bloodstream of patients with coronary thrombosis

Question 52

transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)

Answer 52

placement of a balloon-expandable aortic heart valve into the body via a catheter