Chapter 14 Cardiovascular Emergencies Flashcards
The part of the autonomic nervous system that controls active functions such as responding to fear (also known as the “fight-or-flight” system).
sympathetic nervous system
A rapid heart rate, more than 100 beats/min.
tachycardia
The part of the nervous system that regulates involuntary functions, such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and sweating.
autonomic nervous system
Circulation of blood within an organ or tissue in adequate amounts to meet the currents needs of the cells.
perfusion
A disorder in which cholesterol and calcium build up inside walls of the blood vessels, forming plaque, which eventually leads to partial or complete blockage of blood flow.
atherosclerosis
A state in which not enough oxygen is delivered to the tissue of the body, caused by low output of blood from the heart. It can be a severe complication of a large acute myocardial infarction, as well as other conditions.
cardiogenic shock
A weakness in the wall of the aorta that makes it susceptible to rupture.
aortic aneurym
The one-way valve that lies between the left ventricle and the aorta and keeps blood from flowing back into the left ventricle after the left ventricle ejects its blood into the aorta; one of four heart valves.
aortic valve
Transient (short-lived) chest discomfort caused by partial or temporary blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle.
angina pectoris
The main artery that receives blood from the left ventricle and delivers it to all the other arteries that carry blood to the tissues of the body.
aorta
One of two (right and left) upper chambers of the heart. The right one receives blood from the vena cava and delivers it to the right ventricle. The left one receives blood from pulmonary veins and delivers it to the left ventricle.
atrium
An irregular or abnormal heart rhythm.
arrhythmia
Swelling in the part of the body closest to the ground, caused by collection of fluid in the tissues; a possible sign of congestive heart failure.
dependent edema
A lack of oxygen that deprives tissues of necessary nutrients, resulting from partial or complete blockage of blood flow; potentially reversible because permanent injury has not yet occurred.
ischemia
To shock a fibrillating (chaotically beating) heart with specialized electrical current in an attempt to restore a normal rhythmic beat.
defibrillate
The part of the body or any body part nearer to the feet.
inferior
A disorder in which the heart loses part of its ability to effectively pump blood, usually as a result of damage to the heart muscle and usually resulting in a backup of fluid into the lungs.
congestive heart failure (CHF)
A condition in which the inner layers of an artery, such as the aorta, become separated, allowing blood (at high pressures) to flow between the layers.
dissecting aneurysm
A slow heart rate, less than 60 beats/min.
bradycardia
A state in which the heart fails to generate effective and detectable blood flow; pulses are not palpable, even if muscular and electrical activity continues in the heart.
cardiac arrest
Disorganized, ineffective twitching of the ventricles, resulting in no blood flow and a state of cardiac arrest.
ventricular fibrillation
Death of a body tissue, usually caused by interruption of its blood supply.
infarction
A term used to describe a group of symptoms caused by myocardial ischemia; includes angina and myocardial infarction.
acute coronary syndrome
The blood vessels that carry blood and nutrients to the heart muscle.
coronary arteries
The inside diameter of an artery or other hollow structure.
lumen
A fainting spell or transient loss of consciousness, often caused by an interruption of blood flow to the brain.
syncope
The ability of cardiac muscle cells to contract without stimulation from the nervous system.
automaticity
In anatomy, the back surface of the body; the side away from you in the standard anatomic position.
posterior
The front surface of the body; the side facing you in the standard anatomic position.
anterior
Widening of a tubular structure such as a coronary artery.
dilation
The part of the body or any body part nearer to the head.
superior
A subdivision of the autonomic nervous system, involved in control of involuntary, vegetative functions, mediated largely by the vagus nerve through the chemical acetylcholine.
parasympathetic nervous system
A rapid heart rhythm in which the electrical impulse begins in the ventricle (instead of the atrium), which may result in inadequate blood flow and eventually deteriorate into cardiac arrest.
ventricular tachycardia
A heart attack; death of heart muscle following obstruction of blood flow to it.
acute myocardial infarction (AMI)
The complete absence of any electrical cardiac activity, appearing as a straight or almost straight line on an ECG strip.
asystole
The heart muscle
myocardium
A blockage, usually of a tubular structure such as a blood vessel.
occlusion
An emergency situation created by excessively high blood pressure, which can lead to serious complications such as stroke or aneurysm.
hypertensive emergency
A blood clot that has formed within a blood vessel and is floating within the bloodstream.
thromboembolism
One of two lower chambers of the heart.
ventricle
A measure of the volume of blood circulating by the heart in 1 minute, calculated by multiplying the stroke volume by the heart rate.
cardiac output
