Disorders of cardiac function Flashcards
Pericarditis & and causes
inflammation of the pericardium (the membrane enclosing the heart)
Acute =
Pericarditis manifestations
Decreased CO Pericardial friction rub Chest pain Precordial Abrupt onset, sharp, radiates Scapula pain increases with deep breath, cough relief when sitting forward
ECG changes
Pericardial Effusion
Accumulation of fluid in the pericardial cavity/space Causes - Inflammation of pericardium - Infection elsewhere - Neoplasms - Cardiac surgery - Trauma Symptoms dependent on rapidiy & amount of fluid build-up
Cardiac Tamponade & causes
Compression d/t fluid/blood
A build-up of blood or other fluid in the pericardial sac puts pressure on the heart, which may prevent it from pumping effectively.
Causes: Trauma Myocardial rupture post MI Cardiac surgery Aortic dissection
Tamponade: Manifestations
Dependent on amount and rapidity
Limits stroke volume and CO = low SBP
CNS: change in mentation
Resp: dyspnea, tachypnea
CVS: chest pain, tachycardia
- Elevated central venous pressure & jugular venous pressure (distention)
- Circulatory shock
Tamponade: Diagnosis/Treatment
Muffled heart sounds- d/t to extra layer of fluid Pulsus paradoxus > 10 mmHg fall with respiration ECG - Decreased voltage Echocardiogram CT, MRI Treatment: immediate pericariocentesis
What assists coronary artery flow?
- Endothelial cells lining arteries
-Diastolic pressure in aorta
Time in diastole
What impairs coronary artery flow?
Atherosclerosis most common
Non-Modifiable Risks for CAD
Sex/Gender Post-menopausal women Age Ethnicity Genetics
Modifiable Risks for CAD
- Hypertension
- Hyperlipidemia
- Tobacco use
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Sedentary lifestyle/physical inactivity
- Ability to cope with stress
Stable Angina
- Pain/pressure d/t transient ischemia
- Precordial/substernal
- Possible radiation
- Possible epigastric discomfort
- Often d/t a fixed coronary narrowing
- Occurs with exercise/exertion/cold/emotions
- Relieved with rest & nitroglycerine
Artery in the heart is partially blocked, so not getting enough O2.
Variant/Prinzmetal Angina
d/t spasms of coronary artery
Cause is unclear
Often @ night
Variable symptoms
Treatment is dependent on findings of investigative diagnostics
Silent MI
Silent MI’s (or atypical symptoms) are more likely in the elderly
? Less myocardium involved
? neuropathy
- hypotension, low body temp, vague complaints of discomfort, mild diaphoresis, stroke-like symptoms, dizziness, sensorium changes
Treatment is dependent on findings of investigative diagnostics
Acute Coronary Syndrome
Risk is classified based on ECG changes
Unstable Angina/Non ST-segment elevation Myocardial Infarction (non-STEMI)
ST-segment elevation MI (STEMI) - ischemia to heart muscle
All caused by an imbalance in myocardial oxygen supply and demand
Potential Causes of ACS: Primary & Secondary Causes
> Unstable plaque, rupturing to form a clot
- Thin fibrous cap with fatty core is most unstable
Coronary vasospasm
Atherosclerotic narrowing (progressive)
Inflammation/infection
Secondary causes
- anemia
- fever (basal metabolic rate is high)
- hypoxemia
Unstable Angina/Non-ST MI
Typical Pattern of Manifestations > With pre-diagnosis of “Stable Angina” - But more severe or more often than usual > Occurs at rest (or minimal exertion) > Lasts > 20 minutes
If biomarkers are elevated = non-STEMI
High risk of STEMI
ST Elevation MI
Ischemic death of myocardial tissue
> Typical Pattern of Manifestations
Crushing/constricting pain; usually abrupt
- Substernal with radiation to left arm, jaw, neck
- Epigastric distress/nausea
- Palpitations
- Cool, clammy skin
- SOB
- Anxiety
Unrelieved by rest/nitro
ST Elevation MI Con’t…
Cardiac muscle wall ischemia & necrosis
- Subendocardial
- Transmural = Q wave
- “Stunned” myocardium
Cell death in 15-20 minutes
Early perfusion & revascularization can prevent necrosis.
Myocardial Ischemia/Necrosis result in…
Decreased contractile force
- Decreased CO
- Decreased coronary artery perfusion
- Decreased pulmonary vasculature pressure
Interruption of conduction
- dysrhythmias
Diagnosis of myocardial ischemia also based on Serum Biomarkers
> Troponin (involved in muscle contraction)
Rises within 2-3 hrs; remains elevated for 7-10 days
> Myoglobin (functions as oxygen storage)
Rises within 1 hr, peaks at 4 hrs
Also from skeletal muscle damage
> Creatine Kinase MB (CK-MB) (levels can indicate muscular dystrophy)
Peaks at 4-6 hrs; gone in 2-3 days
Specific to cardiac muscle