Video Lecture Review: Cardiovascular Anatomy and Pathophysiology - Vocabulary Flashcards

90 vocabulary flashcards covering CAD, angina, MI, CHF, dysrhythmias, treatments, and related concepts.

CAD

Coronary Artery Disease: narrowing or obstruction of a coronary artery leading to reduced blood supply to the heart muscle.

Myocardial ischemia

Inadequate oxygen supply to the myocardium, often manifesting as angina without irreversible cell death.

Atherosclerosis

Disease characterized by plaque buildup inside arterial walls, leading to narrowed vessels and potential plaque rupture.

Plaque

Atheromatous buildup in an artery that can rupture and trigger thrombosis.

Endothelial dysfunction

Damage or abnormal function of the endothelium that promotes vasoconstriction and atherogenesis.

LDL

Low-density lipoprotein; “bad cholesterol” that contributes to plaque formation.

HDL

High-density lipoprotein; “good cholesterol” that helps remove cholesterol from arteries.

Thrombosis

Formation of a blood clot within a vessel, potentially causing occlusion.

Embolism

Dislodgement of a clot or plaque that travels through the bloodstream to a distant site.

Plaque rupture

Breakage of the atheromatous cap exposing thrombogenic material and triggering coagulation.

75% occlusion

About three-quarters of the lumen is blocked; increases risk of ischemia and plaque rupture.

Angina pectoris

Chest pain due to myocardial ischemia without tissue death.

Unstable angina

Worsening chest pain that signals impending myocardial infarction and requires urgent care.

Stable angina

Predictable chest pain triggered by exertion or stress and relieved by rest.

Variant angina

Prinzmetal angina; vasospastic chest pain occurring at rest due to coronary spasm.

Myocardial infarction

Necrosis of heart muscle due to prolonged ischemia from arterial occlusion.

Ischemic heart disease

Heart diseases caused by reduced blood flow to the myocardium.

Oxygen supply-demand balance

Relation between myocardial oxygen supply and demand; imbalance causes ischemia.

Collateral circulation

Alternative vascular routes that supply blood to ischemic areas of the heart.

Diastolic perfusion pressure

Pressure driving coronary blood flow during diastole (aortic diastolic pressure minus coronary venous pressures).

Diastolic pressure

Arterial pressure during heart relaxation (diastole); influences coronary perfusion.

Angina precipitants

Triggers that increase myocardial oxygen demand (exertion, emotional stress, meals, cold).

Nitrovasodilators

Vasodilators (nitrates) used to relieve angina by dilating vessels and improving blood flow.

Nitroglycerin

Fast-acting nitrate used to treat angina by reducing preload/afterload and vasospasm.

Sublingual administration

Administration under the tongue for rapid absorption of nitroglycerin.

Nitroglycerin patch

Transdermal nitrate patch delivering gradual, ongoing vasodilation; requires nitrate-free interval.

Beta-blockers

Beta-adrenergic antagonists that decrease heart rate, contractility, and oxygen demand.

Calcium channel blockers

Drugs (e.g., verapamil, diltiazem, nifedipine) that reduce afterload and vasospasm by inhibiting Ca2+ entry.

Aspirin

Antiplatelet agent that inhibits platelet aggregation to prevent thrombus formation.

Heparin

Anticoagulant used to prevent thrombosis; often used acutely with ACS.

Warfarin

Oral anticoagulant that inhibits hepatic synthesis of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors.

Morphine

Opioid analgesic used in acute MI to relieve pain and reduce sympathetic tone.

Oxygen therapy

Supplemental oxygen to improve myocardial oxygenation when hypoxemic.

Thrombolysis

Pharmacologic dissolution of clots (e.g., streptokinase, urokinase) to restore perfusion.

PTCA

Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty; balloon dilation of a narrowed coronary artery.

CABG

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft; surgical revascularization using graft vessels.

IABP

Intra-aortic balloon pump; mechanical support to improve coronary perfusion and reduce afterload.

Endocarditis

Infection of the inner lining of the heart, often bacterial; risk increased by dental or invasive procedures.

Pericarditis

Inflammation of the pericardial sac; may present with friction rub and chest pain.

Myocarditis

Inflammation of the heart muscle, often following infection.

Pulmonary edema

Fluid accumulation in the lungs due to high venous pressures from heart failure.

BNP

Brain natriuretic peptide; elevated in heart failure and used in diagnosis and prognosis.

Torsades de Pointes

Polymorphic ventricular tachycardia associated with long QT; treated with magnesium.

Ventricular tachycardia (VT)

A run of three or more consecutive ventricular premature beats; rate 100–250+ bpm.

Monomorphic VT

VT with uniform QRS morphology indicating a single ventricular focus.

Polymorphic VT

VT with varying QRS morphology and often associated with long QT.

Ventricular fibrillation (VF)

Chaotic ventricular activity with no effective output; requires immediate defibrillation.

PEA

Pulseless electrical activity; electrical activity present but no effective pulse; CPR indicated.

Asystole

No electrical activity; flatlining; poor prognosis without immediate resuscitation.

SA node

Sinoatrial node; the primary natural pacemaker of the heart.

AV node

Atrioventricular node; secondary pacemaker that can sustain rhythm if SA fails.

Junctional rhythm

Rhythm arising from the AV node or junction; rate ~40–60 bpm; P waves may be absent or inverted.

PAC

Premature atrial contraction; early atrial beat; usually benign.

PVC

Premature ventricular contraction; early ventricular beat with wide QRS; can be unifocal or multifocal.

SVT

Supraventricular tachycardia; rapid rhythm arising above the ventricles, often AVN-dependent.

PSVT

Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia; sudden onset of rapid SVT, often with regular rhythm.

Adenosine

AV nodal blocker used to terminate AVN-dependent SVT; ultra-short acting.

Diltiazem

Calcium channel blocker used for rate control in SVT and atrial tachyarrhythmias.

Verapamil

Calcium channel blocker used for rate control in SVT and some atrial arrhythmias.

Amiodarone

Class III antiarrhythmic; broad-spectrum; used for VT, VF, AF; IV administration in emergencies.

Sotalol

Class III antiarrhythmic with beta-blocker properties; used for VT, AF, flutter.

Quinidine

Class IA antiarrhythmic; used for PAC and some SVTs; may have proarrhythmic risk.

Electrical cardioversion

Synchronized electrical shock to restore sinus rhythm; last-resort after meds fail.

Chemical cardioversion

Pharmacologic conversion of arrhythmia to sinus rhythm without electrical shock.

Anticoagulants

Drug class (e.g., heparin, warfarin) that inhibits clot formation to prevent thromboembolism.

Antiplatelets

Drugs (e.g., aspirin) that prevent platelet aggregation and thrombosis.

Atrial fibrillation

Chaotic atrial electrical activity with irregular ventricular response and high stroke risk.

Atrial flutter

Rapid atrial rhythm with sawtooth flutter waves; regular or variable ventricular response.

PAC

Premature atrial contraction; early atrial beat; generally benign.

Ablation

RF ablation to destroy abnormal conduction pathways causing arrhythmias.

Maze procedure

Surgical ablation of atrial tissue to prevent atrial fibrillation and reduce stroke risk.

Endocarditis prophylaxis

Antibiotic prophylaxis before dental or invasive procedures to prevent endocarditis.

Pericardial friction rub

Grating sounds heard with pericarditis from inflamed pericardium.

Cardiac tamponade

Fluid accumulation in the pericardium compressing the heart and impairing filling.

S3 gallop

An extra heart sound indicating volume overload and systolic dysfunction.

Systolic heart failure

HF due to reduced ventricular contraction and decreased ejection fraction.

Diastolic heart failure

HF due to impaired ventricular relaxation and filling; may have preserved EF.

NYHA

New York Heart Association functional class; ranges I–IV to describe HF symptoms.

ACC/AHA stages

American/European guidelines staging HF from A to D based on risk and symptoms.

Digoxin

Cardiac glycoside that increases contractility; monitor potassium and signs of toxicity.

Diuretics

Drugs that reduce preload and edema; include thiazides, loop, and potassium-sparing types.

Dopamine

Inotropic/vasopressor used in HF and shock; dose-dependent renal, inotropic, and vasoconstrictive effects.

Dobutamine

Beta-1 agonist inotrope that increases contractility with less effect on heart rate.

Isoproterenol

Beta-adrenergic agonist used for bradyarrhythmias and bronchodilation in some settings.

NASPE-BPEG code

Coding system for pacemaker function (N=A, P=paced, etc.); helps describe device settings.

Electrophysiology study

Test to map electrical activity of the heart before ablation or surgery.

Catheter ablation

Procedure to destroy ectopic foci or pathways causing arrhythmia.

Atrial fibrillation stroke risk

AF markedly increases risk of embolic stroke due to stasis in the atria.

Endocarditis prophylaxis dental procedures

Antibiotics given before dental work to prevent bacteremia seeding the heart.

Pericardial friction rub

Audible sign of pericarditis from inflamed pericardial surfaces.

Cardiac tamponade signs

JVD, hypotension, muffled heart sounds; emergent management required.

S3 gallop sign in HF

Extra heart sound indicating volume overload and left-sided HF.

Left-sided heart failure

HF with predominant pulmonary congestion due to failure of the left ventricle.

Right-sided heart failure

HF with systemic venous congestion; edema and hepatomegaly common.

New York Heart Association (NYHA) class

Functional classification of HF from I (asymptomatic) to IV (symptoms at rest).

ACC/AHA stages of HF

Risk-based classification from A (risk) to D (refractory disease) for HF.

Fibrosis in myocardium

Scar tissue formation after MI or chronic injury that impairs conduction and contraction.

Heart failure therapeutic goal

Improve oxygen delivery, reduce symptoms, and prevent hospitalizations.

Indigestion as MI sign

MI pain sometimes mimics indigestion/gas pain; urgent ECG recommended.

Streptokinase

Fibrinolytic agent used to dissolve clots in MI therapy.