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Nur 265 - Cardiovascular terms

Terms in this set (19)

Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)
A way of describing the disorders and manifestations that make up unstable Angina and Myocardial Infarction.
• Describe any conditions characterized by signs and symptoms of sudden myocardial ischemia
Afterload
The force that the ventricles must develop to eject blood into circulation
• The amount of resistance against which the hearty must pump to get blood into systemic circulation
Contractility
The force of contraction of the heart muscle
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
Myocardial impairment caused by an imbalance between coronary blood flow and myocardial oxygen requirements as a result of obstructed blood flow through the coronary arteries.
• Can lead to myocardial ischemia
• Atherosclerosis is most common cause
Preload
The volume of blood distending the ventricles at end-diastole
• The amount of blood waiting to be pumped into systemic circulation
• S&S of elevated preload: anorexia, nausea, abdominal pain
Starling's Law
States that the cardiac muscle fibers stretch to a certain point
• This stretching allows for a more forceful contraction, thus increasing the stroke volume and venous return to the heart
• Causes a temporary improvement in cardiac output.
• However, once the cardiac fibers stretch beyond a certain point then the cardiac output decreases
• Relates to preload
Stroke Volume
The amount of blood ejected by the heart with each beat
Transmural Myocardial Infarction
A MI which involves the entire thickness of the cardiac muscles
Hypertension (HTN)
A disorder that is characterized by systolic blood pressure that is persistently 140 mmHg or above and a diastolic pressure that is persistently 90 mmHg or above
• Is based on 2 or more elevated findings
• The blood pressure is elevated for a sustained period of time
• Both don't have to be elevated to diagnose HTN
Angina Pectoris
Recurrent chest pain or discomfort (pressure) that is brought about by activities that increase myocardial oxygen demands
• Is usually relieved by rest or medication
• Most often caused by significant coronary atherosclerosis
Stable Angina
Chest pain or discomfort that occurs intermittently with moderate to prolonged exertion in a pattern that is familiar to the patient.
• Commonly has the same pattern of onset, duration and intensity which has not increased over the past several months
• Usually relieved by nasogastric tube or rest
• Most often induced by exercise. Pain at rest is unusual
Unstable Angina (Preinfarction Angina)
Chest pain or discomfort that is sudden and worsens in severity, frequency or duration.
• Brought on by the same efforts as stable angina.
• Is unpredictable and easily provoked by minimal or no exercise. It can occur during total rest or when the person is sleeping
• Pain last longer than 15 mins and is poorly relieved by nitroglycerin or rest
Paroxysmal Retrosternal Chest Pain
Chest pain that occurs behind the upper or middle third of the sternum.
• Sudden and periodic
Myocardial Infarction (MI)
The process by which myocardial tissue is destroyed in regions of the heart that are deprived of an adequate blood supply
• Cause of decreased blood flow is either a critical narrowing of a coronary artery or a blockage of one of the branches of a coronary artery
• Causes: atherosclerosis, coronary artery spasm, platelet aggregation, emboli
Cardiac Rehabilitation
The process of actively assisting the patient with cardiac disease in achieving and maintaining a vital and productive life while remaining within the limits of the heart's ability to respond to increases in activity and stress
• Focuses on restoring and maintaining the patient's physiological, psychosocial, vocational and recreational status
• Allows progressive activity, exercise and education of patient and family
• Focuses on restoring function and preventing further damage
Heart Failure (HF)
The inability of the heart to pump sufficient blood to meet the needs of the tissues for oxygen and nutrients.
• Most HF begin with failure of left ventricle before progressing to failure of both ventricles.
• Related to MI and CAD
• Called Congestive Heart Failure when circulatory congestion develops due to myocardial contractility
• BNP (Beta-Type Natriuretic Peptide): used to diagnose and grade HF
Paroxysmal Noctural Dyspnea
Orthopnea that occurs at night or when the patient is asleep. The person awakens with severe dyspnea and coughing.
• It results from the accumulation of fluid in the lungs as the person is lying in bed
• The patient usually experiences a feeling of suffocation and often awakes in a panic
Pulmonary Edema
Abnormal accumulation of fluid in the lungs resulting in an ultimate state of pulmonary congestion.
• Fluid rapidly reaches the bronchi and bronchioles.
• Pulmonary tissue becomes engorged and the patient experiences hypoxia and severe respiratory distress
• Is a medical emergency and fatal if actions aren't prompt
• LVF
Ejection Fraction
An indication of the volume of blood ejected with each contraction. It is calculated by subtracting the amount of blood at the end of systole from the amount at the end of diastole and calculating the percentage of blood that is ejected. A normal is 55-65% of the ventricular volume.
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