Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;
Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;
H to show hint;
A reads text to speech;
26 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
|
Acute Coronary Syndrome |
A broad spectrum of coronary artery obstruction resulting from atherosclerosis. Narrowing of coronary arteries leading to episodes of acute ischemia (stable & unstable angina) and acute myocardial infarction. |
|
|
Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) |
Sudden onset of sudden coronary artery occlusion from a ruptured artherosclerotic plaque or clot, which results in obstruction of blood flow beyond the affected area and leads to death of heart muscle cells. |
|
|
Afterload |
The amount of resistance provided by the systemic vasculature, which the heart must overcome to effectively pump blood from the left ventricle. Systemic Vascular Resistance |
|
|
Anginal Equivalents |
Signs and symptoms other than typical chest pain, such as shortness of breath, produced by myocardial ischemia. |
|
|
Angina Pectoris |
Chest pain that results from ischemia of the heart muscle, usually from coronary artery disease. |
|
|
Aortic Aneurysm |
A weakened area of the aortic wall that has dilated to more than 50% of the normal width of the aorta. |
|
|
Aortic Dissection |
A condition in which blood enters through a tear in the tunica intima of the aorta and is forced between the layers of the aorta. |
|
|
Asystole |
The absence of electrical activity in the heart, resulting in cardiac standstill, evidenced by a flat line on an EKG. |
|
|
Atrioventricular Node |
A collection of conductive cells at the junction of the atria and ventricles, part of the cardiac conduction system. |
|
|
Cardiac Tamponade |
A condition in which fluid or blood collects within the pericardium, compressing heart and reducing cardiac output. Also called pericardial tamponade. |
|
|
Coronary Artery Disease |
Artherosclerotic disease of the coronary arteries. |
|
|
Cor pulmonale |
Right sided heart failure resulting from Increased resistance in the pulmonary circulation. |
|
|
Ectopic Pacemakers |
Cells in the heart that have become irritable and create their own impulses rather than being depolarized by the action potential initiated by the Sinoatrial Node. |
|
|
Ejection Fraction |
The proportion of blood in the left ventricle at the end of diastole that is ejected during systole expressed as a percentage. |
|
|
Fibronolytic |
A substance that breaks down blood clots by initiating the body's normal mechanism for dissolving blood clots. |
|
|
Hypertensive Encephalopathy |
Neurological signs and symptoms resulting from acute high blood pressure. |
|
|
Palpitations |
The sensation of feeling the heart beat within the chest. |
|
|
Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea (PND) |
Sudden waking at night with difficulty breathing, which is typically relieved by assuming an upright position, a classic sign of left sided heart failure. |
|
|
Plaque |
An abnormal collection of fatty tissue within the wall of a blood vessel. |
|
|
Preload |
The amount of blood in the left ventricle at the end of diastole. |
|
|
Premature Ventricular Contraction PVC) |
A depolarization of the myocardium earlier than expected because of an impulse generated by a cell in the ventricles. |
|
|
Silent MI |
A myocardial infarction that occurs without symptoms. |
|
|
Sinoatrial Node |
The collection of pacemaker cells in the upper right atrium that serves as the primary pacemaker of the heart. |
|
|
Stable Angina |
A pattern of ischemic chest pain that predictably comes on during exertion, goes away with rest or nitroglycerin, and has about the same duration and intensity from episode to episode. |
|
|
Syncope |
Sudden loss of consciousness resulting from a temporary decrease in cerebral perfusion. |
|
|
Unstable Angina |
A pattern of ischemic chest pain that progresses in duration, frequency, and or severity. |
