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Cardiovascular > Pathologies > Flashcards

Pathologies Flashcards

1
Q

What is Anaemia

A

A Deficiency in haemoglobin / erythrocyte disease

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2
Q

What is Hypochromic microcytic anaemia - iron-deficiency

A

Most common cause of anaemia which leads to a reduced concentration of haemoglobin in erythrocytes causing them to appear paler & smaller

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3
Q

What is megaloblastic anaemia

A

Characterised by large, immature & dysfunctional RBCs. DNA replication is slowed down & cell growth continues without division & maturation, resulting in the large erythrocytes - macrocytic cells
Due to lack of folate &/or vitamin B12

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4
Q

How does B12 impact the myelin sheath

A

B12 is essential for the production & maintenance of myelin sheath which surrounds nerve fibres
Hence if someone lacks vitamin B12 neurological symptoms are common eg tingling, numbness, loss of coordination etc

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5
Q

What is aplastic anaemia

A

A rare & potentially life-threatening failure of haematopoiesis
Pancytopenia & hypocellular bone marrow

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6
Q

What is haemolytic anaemia

A

Results from excessive breakdown of erythrocytes, when bone marrow activity cannot compensate for the loss of RBCs

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7
Q

What disease can cause haemolytic anaemia

A

Malaria

Where the parasites enter & mature within human erythrocytes & can cause them to rupture

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8
Q

What is sickle cell anaemia

A

A genetic type of haemolytic anaemia
An inherited recessive condition affecting mainly african & caribbean populations as the sickle trait helps to protect against malaria
A deficiency of the 2-alpha & 2-beta formation of haemoglobin & causes it to sickle up. These cells rupture easily
Erythropoiesis is stimulated but it cannot keep up with rate of haemolysis (cell lifespan of 10-20 days)

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9
Q

What is thalassaemia

A

A genetic type of of haemolytic anaemia which describes a defect in synthesis of either the alpha or beta Hb chains

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10
Q

What is haemolytic disease of the newborn

A

Occurs when the mother produces antibodies to attack a baby’s rhesus antigens

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11
Q

What is polycythaemia

A

Aka erythrocytosis

Describes an excessive production of erythrocytes resulting in increased blood viscosity, reduced blood flow & increase risk of thrombosis

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12
Q

What is granulocytopenia

A

A leukocyte pathology
Granulocytes = neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils

Where a marked reduction in the number of granulocyte leukocytes - dangerous situation as lowering defences

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13
Q

What is leukocytosis

A

Describes a marked increase in the number of all leukocytes

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14
Q

What is leukaemia

A

Describes a group of bone marrow cancers, characterised by an abnormal over production of leukocytes which results in suppressed erythrocyte production (anaemia) & thrombocytes

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15
Q

What are the 4 different types of leukaemia

A

Acute myelogenous
Acute lymphocytic
Chronic myelogenous
Chronic lymphocytic

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16
Q

What is thrombocytopenia

A

A reduction in the number of thrombocytes

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17
Q

What is haemophilia

A

A genetic X-linked recessive disorder of clotting factors
A = deficiency of clotting factor 8
B = deficiency of clotting factor 9

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18
Q

What is athersclerosis

A

A type of arteriosclerosis
Leads to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in the walls of arteries which may disrupt blood flow to target organs
Affects large & medium -sized arteries

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19
Q

What is the process of atherosclerosis

A
  1. Damage of the vascular endothelium occurs creating inflammation
  2. LDLs deposit in the damaged tunica intima & are oxidised, subsequently attracting phagocytes
  3. Macrophages surround the fatty material in an attempt to destroy it & create foam cells
  4. A cap is formed over the atherosclerotic plaque to wall off the plaque from the blood
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20
Q

What is a stroke

A

Aka cerebrovascular accident
Occurs as a disruption of blood supply to the brain
Can be an ischaemic stroke or haemorrhagic stroke
50% affect cerebral cortex
Affects the contralateral body to the side of brain damage

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21
Q

What is a transient ischaemic attack

A

Aka mini stroke
Temporary inadequacy of circulation to part of the brain
Similar clinical picture to stroke but lasts no longer than 24 hours !

22
Q

What is angina pectoris

A

Ischaemic heart disease due to obstruction or spasm of the coronary arteries resulting in the demands of the myocardium not being met by its blood supply

23
Q

What is arterioclerosis

A

Thickening & loss of elasticity of arterial walls

24
Q

What is an aneurysm & the two common types

A

Abnormal local dilations of arteries due to weakness of the vessel wall
Is often secondary to athersclerosis

Abdominal aortic aneurysm
Berry aneurysm - occurs in centre of the cerebrum & presents as sevre headache

25
Q

What is a deep vein thrombosis (dvt)

A 
A Thrombus (clot) formation in the deep veins of the legs
Risk of the clot dislodging & travelling to form a pulmonary embolism
26
Q

What is a positive Homan’s sign

A

A test used for diagnosing a dvt

Person’s foot is forced into dorsi-flexion which causes pain in the back of knee

27
Q

What are varicose veins

A

Incompetent valves cause pooling of the venous blood & chronically dilated veins which can cause complications

28
Q

What are haemorrhoids

A

Aka piles
Enlarged & often inflamed varicose veins in the anal canal
Some prolapse, other types do on straining & in fourth degree are permanent

29
Q

What are oesophageal varices

A

Varicose veins of the oesophagus, tending to affect the distal oesphagus
Secondary to liver cirrhosis or right-sided heart failure

30
Q

What is raynaud’s syndrome

A

Typically affecting women 30-40

Intermittent attacks of ischaemia in body extremities, pallor, cyanosis &/or redness

31
Q

What is oedema

A

Excess fluid accumulation in interstitial spaces
Usually ‘Pitting’ oedema where dents are left in skin tissue of limbs when pressed
Or can be non-pitting oedema

32
Q

What is ascites

A

An excessive accumulation of fluid in the peritoneum (serous membrane surrounding GIT tract)
80% cases due to liver cirrhosis

33
Q

What is shifting dullness

A

A diagnosis for ascites
When turning patient onto their side from a supine position, the excess peritoneal fluid will fall to the side. This can be identified by percussing the patient’s abdomen to note the change in transition of ‘resonance’

34
Q

What is hypertension

A

High blood pressure of 140/90mmHg
A major risk factor for cardiovascular disease & cerebrovascular events
It does not generally directly cause symptoms

35
Q

What is hypotension

A

Low blood pressure less than 90/60mmHg
Leads to inadequate blood supply to the brain
Postural hypotension is common - fainting/dizziness on standing too quickly due to delayed response of baroreceptors

36
Q

What is a heart failure

A

Where the heart fails to pump blood forwards effectively so backflow of fluid occurs
Can be classified as acute - sudden onset which is a medical emergency
Or chronic which gradually develops
Can either be a right-sided failure or left-sided

37
Q

What is valve stenosis

A

Fibrosis & calcification of valve leading to obstruction to blood flow through heart chambers
To compensate the myocardium hypertrophies (enlarges) which leads to heart failure

38
Q

What is valve regurgitation

A

Inadequate valve closure causing leakage

The heart hypertrophies & dilates to accomodate more blood which leads to heart failure

39
Q

What is a myocardial infarction

A

Aka heart attack
Necrosis of myocardial tissue due to ischaemia
Usually due to a blockage of a coronary artery by a thrombus
Half of the myocardial region becomes necrotic within one hour of occlusion

40
Q

What is atrial fibrillation

A

Most common cardiac arrythmia
Irregularly irregular rhythm
Associated with stagnation of blood in the atria leading to thrombus formation & risk of embolism (stroke)

41
Q

What is a cardiac arrest

A

A medical emergency - conduction arrest NOT a heart attack

Roughly 70% occur due to coronary heart disease

42
Q

What is endocarditis

A

Inflammation of the endocardium & valves

An infective cause which can spread from dental infections

43
Q

What is the difference between a cardiac arrest and heart attack

A

Heart attack is due to necrosis of heart tissues from ischaemia whereas a cardiac arrest is a failure in conduction, an arrhythmia

44
Q

What is pericarditis

A

Acute inflammation of the pericardium
Infiltration of the pericardium with leukocytes
Normally due to a viral infection or a systemic inflammatory condition

45
Q

What are osler’s nodes

A

Red tender spots under skin of fingers, can be a sign of endocarditis

46
Q

What are splinter haemorrhages

A

Splinter appearances under nail beds

47
Q

What is hypovolaemic shock

A

Where blood volume is reduced by 15-25% which may be due to a harmorrhage, severe burn, vomiting, diarrhoea or organ perforation

48
Q

What is cardiogenic shock

A

Where the myocardium can’t maintain cardiac output due to an acute heart disease

49
Q

What is septic shock

A

Where infection causes an immune & inflammatory response causing vasodilation & pooling of blood

50
Q

What is neurogenic shock

A

Loss of sympathetic control on blood vessels & increased parasympathetic stimulation of the heart e.g from spinal cord injury.
This leads to dilation of blood vessels which can cause reduced cardiac output, blood pooling & fainting

51
Q

What is anaphylactic shock

A

A severe allergic response causing vasodilation, bronchoconstriction, reduced cardiac ouput & tissue hypoxia

Cardiovascular (4 decks)

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