Week 5 - Cardiac Dysfunction, Rhythm Changes, Heart Failure, and Circulatory Problems Flashcards
What is sinus bradycardia?
Heart rate < 60 bpm; linked to vagal tone and medications.
Goal of therapy for acute heart failure?
Improve ventricular function by reducing volume and enhancing oxygenation.
Devices for heart failure management?
Includes CRT-D, ICD, and ventricular assist devices.
Managing physical activity in heart failure?
Activity as tolerated; avoid strain and monitor for complications.
Significance of reducing anxiety in heart failure?
Improves comfort and may enhance heart function.
Role of vasodilators in heart failure?
Reduce afterload, improving cardiac output.
Goals for myocardial contractility?
Enhance contractility; decrease preload and afterload.
Drugs enhancing myocardial contractility?
Nitrates, Loop Diuretics, ACE inhibitors, Beta Blockers.
Modalities for complicated cardiomyopathy?
Ventricular assist device, surgery, heart transplant.
Forms of nitrates?
Sublingual, oral, IV, transdermal, sprays.
Common adverse effects of nitrates?
Headaches, dizziness, reflex tachycardia.
Preventing nitrate tolerance?
Regular nitrate-free periods.
Mechanism of nitroglycerin?
Causes vasodilation, improving coronary blood flow.
Purpose of rapid-acting nitroglycerin?
Treat acute anginal attacks.
Role of anticoagulants?
Prevent clot formation by inhibiting clotting factors.
Anticoagulants vs. antiplatelets?
Anticoagulants inhibit clotting; antiplatelets inhibit aggregation.
Significance of the clotting cascade?
Amplifies reactions leading to clot formation.
Pathways in the clotting cascade?
Intrinsic and extrinsic pathways.
Function of antiplatelet drugs?
Prevent platelet plugs; no effect on existing clots.
Effect of nitrates on ischemic tissue?
Increases oxygen delivery.
Instructions for transdermal nitrate patches?
Remove at bedtime; apply new patch in the morning.
Consequences of an embolus in a coronary artery?
Causes myocardial infarction.
Embolus obstructing a brain vessel?
Causes a stroke (CVA).
Embolus effect on lungs?
Causes pulmonary embolus (PE).