Key Terms: Cardiovascular Disorders Flashcards
aneurysm
A localized abnormal dilation of a blood vessel, usually an artery, caused by weakness of the vessel wall; may eventually burst
angina pectoris
A feeling of constriction around the heart or pain that may radiate to the left arm or shoulder, usually brought on by exertion; caused by insufficient blood supply to the heart
arrhythmia
Any abnormality in the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat
arteriosclerosis
Hardening (sclerosis) of the arteries, with loss of capacity and loss of elasticity, as from fatty deposits (plaque), deposit of calcium salts, or formation of scar tissue
atherosclerosis
The development of fatty, fibrous patches (plaques) in the lining of arteries, causing narrowing of the lumen and hardening of the vessel wall.
cerebrovascular accident (CVA)
Sudden damage to the brain resulting from reduction of blood flow. Causes include atherosclerosis, embolism, thrombosis, or hemorrhage from a ruptured aneurysm; commonly called stroke
clubbing
Enlargement of the ends of the fingers and toes caused by growth of the soft tissue around the nails.
coarctation of the aorta
Localized narrowing on the aorta with restriction of blood flow
C-reactive protein
Protein produced during systemic inflammation, which may contribute to atherosclerosis; high CRP levels can indicate cardiovascular disease and its prognosis
cyanosis
Bluish discoloration of the skin caused by lack of oxygen
deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
Thrombophlebitis involving the deep veins
diaphoresis
Profuse sweating
dissecting aneurysm
An aneurysm in which blood enters the arterial wall and separates the layers. Usually involves the aorta
dyslipidemia
Disorder in serum lipid levels, which is an important factor in development of atherosclerosis
dyspnea
Difficult or labored breathing (-pnea)
edema
Swelling of body tissues caused by the presence of excess fluid
embolism
Obstruction of a blood vessel by a blood clot or other matter carried in the circulation
embolus
A mass carried in the circulation. Usually a blood clot, but also may be air, fat, bacteria, or other solid matter from within or from outside the body
fibrillation
Spontaneous, quivering, and ineffectual contraction of muscle fibers, as in the atria or the ventricles
heart block
An interference in the conduction system of the heart resulting in arrhythmia
heart failure
A condition caused by the inability of the heart to maintain adequate circulation of blood
hemorrhoid
A varicose vein in the rectum
infarct
An area of localized necrosis (death) of tissue resulting from a blockage or a narrowing of the artery that supplies the area
ischemia
Local deficiency of blood supply caused by obstruction of the circulation (root: hem/o)
murmur
An abnormal heart sound
myocardial infarction (MI)
Localized necrosis (death) of cardiac muscle tissue resulting from blockage or narrowing of the coronary artery that supplies that area
occlusion
A closing off or obstruction, as of a vessel
patent ductus arteriosus
Persistence of the ductus arteriosus after birth. The ductus arteriosus is a vessel that connects the pulmonary artery to the descending aorta in the fetus to bypass the lungs
phlebitis
Inflammation of a vein
plaque
A patch. With regard to the cardiovascular system, a deposit of fatty material and other substances on a vessel wall that impedes blood flow and may block the vessel. Atheromatous plaque
rheumatic heart disease
Damage to heart valves after infection with a type of streptococcus
septal defect
An opening in the septum between the atria or ventricles; a common cause is persistence of the foramen ovale (for-A-men o-VAL-e), an opening between the atria that bypasses the lungs in fetal circulation
shock
Circulatory failure resulting in an inadequate supply of blood to the tissues.
sinus rhythm
A normal heart rhythm originating from the sinoatrial (SA) node
stenosis
Constriction or narrowing of an opening
syncope
A temporary loss of consciousness caused by inadequate blood flow to the brain; fainting
thrombophlebitis
Inflammation of a vein associated with formation of a blood clot
thrombosis
Development of a blood clot within a vessel
thrombus
A blood clot that forms within a blood vessel (root: thromb/o)
varicose vein
A twisted and swollen vein resulting from breakdown of the valves, pooling of blood, and chronic dilatation of the vessel
ablation
Removal or destruction. In cardiac ablation, a catheter is used to destroy a portion of the heart’s conduction pathway to correct an arrhythmia
angioplasty
A procedure that reopens a narrowed vessel and restores blood flow.
artificial pacemaker
A battery-operated device that generates electrical impulses to regulate the beating of the heart.
cardioversion
Correction of an abnormal cardiac rhythm.
coronary angiography
Radiographic study of the coronary arteries after introduction of an opaque dye by means of a catheter
coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)
Surgical creation of a shunt to bypass a blocked coronary artery.
coronary calcium scan
Method for visualizing vessel-narrowing calcium deposits in coronary arteries; useful for diagnosing coronary artery disease in people at moderate risk or those who have undiagnosed chest pain; also known as a heart scan
creatine kinase MB (CK-MB)
Enzyme released in increased amounts from cardiac muscle cells following myocardial infarction (MI). Serum assays help diagnose MI and determine the extent of muscle damage
CT angiography (CTA)
Computed tomography scan used to visualize vessels in the heart and other organs
defibrillation
Use of an electronic device (defibrillator) to stop fibrillation by delivering a brief electric shock to the heart.
percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA)
Dilatation of a sclerotic blood vessel by means of a balloon catheter inserted into the vessel and then inflated to flatten plaque against the artery wall
stent
A small metal device in the shape of a coil or slotted tube that is placed inside an artery to keep the vessel open after balloon angioplasty
stress test
Evaluation of physical fitness by continuous ECG monitoring during exercise. In a thallium stress test, a radioactive isotope of thallium is administered to trace blood flow through the heart during exercise
troponin (Tn)
A protein in muscle cells that regulates contraction. Increased serum levels, primarily in the forms TnT and TnI, indicate recent myocardial infarction (MI)
