Vital Vocabulary Flashcards
Aberration
A term used to describe the shape of the QRS complex in aberrant lay conducted beats.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)
A sac or bulge in the wall of the abdominal portion of the aorta, resulting in weakening of that wall; it is considered life threatening if it ruptures.
Absolute refractory period
The early phase of cardiac depolarization, wherein the heart muscle cannot be stimulated to depolarize.
ACh
A chemical mediator used in both sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
Acute coronary syndrome (ACS)
Term used to describe any group of clinical symptoms consistent with acute myocardial ischemia.
Acute myocardial infarction
A condition present when a period of cardiac ischemia caused by sudden narrowing or complete occlusion of a coronary artery leads to death (necrosis) of myocardial tissue
Adrenaline
The hormone produced by the adrenal gland with alpha and beta sympathomemtic properties.
Afterload
The resistance against which the ventricle contracts
Atonal
Pertaining to the period of dying.
Agonal rhythm
A cardiac dysrhythmia seen just before the heart stops altogether; essentially asystole with an occasional QRS complexes that are not associated with cardiac output
Aneurysm
A sac or bulge resulting from weakening of the wall of a blood vessel or ventricle.
Angina pectoris
The sudden pain from myocardial ischemia caused by diminished circulation to the cardiac muscle. The pain is usually sub sternal and usually radiates to the arms,jaw,or abdomen and usually lasts 3-5 min and disappears with rest.
Aorta
The largest artery in the body, originating from the left ventricle
Aortic semilunar valve
The valve between the left ventricle and the aorta; also called the aortic valve.
Arrhythmia
Te lack of cardiac rhythm, asystole.
Arteries
The muscular, thick-walled blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart
Arteriole
A small blood vessel that carries oxygenated blood branching into smaller vessels called capillaries.
Arteriosclerosis
A pathological condition in which the arterial walls become thickened and inelastic
Artifact
An artificial product, in cardiology , is used to refer to noise or interference in ECG tracing.
Asystole
The absence of ventricular contractions; a straight line
Atrial kick
The volume (percentage) of blood pumped into the ventricles by the atria.
Atrioventricular (AV) node
A specialized structure located in the AV junction that slows conduction throw the AV junction.
Atrioventricular (AV) valves
The mitral and tricuspid valves
Atropine
A parasympathetic blocker, opposes the action of acetylcholine on the heart and elsewhere ,causing an increase in heart rate.
