Clinical Conditions Flashcards
What is oedema?
- Oedema is the excessive volume of fluid within the tissues (interstitial / intracellular) which can occur due to changes in capillary dynamics
- It is often seen in heart failure as there is increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
What are ventricular ectopic beats?
- Ventricular ectopic beats are when an ectopic focus in the ventricle muscle prevents the spread of impulse via the fast His -purkinje system
- Hence, much slower depolarisation of ventricle (wide & bizzare QRS complex)
What is claudication?
Claudication is pain in the muscles of the lower limb elicited by walking / exercise
What is sepsis?
Sepsis is a serious life-threatening response to infection, can lead to septic shock
What is thrombophlebitis?
Thrombophlebitis is an inflammatory process that causes a venous thrombosis to form, commonly in the legs:
- Superficial thrombophlebitis
- Deep vein thrombosis
What is ventricular tachycardia?
- Ventricular tachycardia involves a run of ≥ 3 consecutive ventricular ectopics producing broad QRS complexes
- Persistent VT is a dangerous rhythm, requires urgent treatment and has a high risk of ventricular fibrillation
What is transposition of the great arteries?
- Transposition of the great arteries is a congenital condition resulting in two unconnected parallel circulations instead of two circulations in series
- The left ventricle is connected to the pulmonary trunk, and the right ventricle to the aorta
What is Tetralogy of the Fallot?
- Tetralogy of Fallot is a group of 4 abnormalities occurring together as the result of a single developmental defect which places the outflow portion of the interventricular septum too far in the anterior and cephalad directions
- The 4 abnormalities are: pulmonary stenosis, RV hypertrophy, VSD, overriding aorta
What is coarctation of the aorta?
Coarctation of the aorta is the narrowing of the aortic lumen in the region of the ligamentum arteriosum (former ductus arteriosus)
What is septic shock?
Septic shock is persisting hypotension requiring treatment to maintain blood pressure despite fluid resuscitation
What is patent foramen ovale?
Patent foramen ovale is the persistence of the foramen ovale after birth, causing blood to flow from the left atrium back into the right
What is mitral valve regurgitation?
Mitral valve regurgitation is the prolapse of the mitral valve, resulting in the backflow of blood from the left ventricle, possibly causing left ventricle hypertrophy
What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins are tortuous, twisted, or lengthened veins
What is Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome?
Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is a rare congenital heart defect in which the left heart is severely underdeveloped resulting in inadequate right to left flow in utero
What is a deep vein thrombosis?
- A deep vein thrombosis is the formation of a thrombus within a deep vein, most commonly the deep calf veins
- It produces an inflammatory response (calor, dolor, rubor, tumor, functio laesa)
What is mitral valve stenosis?
Mitral valve stenosis is the narrowing of the mitral valve, obstructing blood flow into the left ventricle, possibly causing right ventricle hypertrophy, atrial fibrillation and oesophageal compression