Assessment of Cardiovascular Function

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers the fundamental anatomy, physiology, and diagnostic assessments of the cardiovascular system based on the NUR 220 lecture.

Endocardium

The innermost layer of the three layers of the heart.

Myocardium

The middle muscular layer of the heart.

Epicardium

The outermost layer of the heart.

Cardiac Conduction System

The electrophysiology system of the heart consisting of the SA node, AV node, Bundle of His, bundle branches, and Purkinje fibers.

Ejection fraction

A measurement of the percentage of blood leaving the heart each time it contracts.

Stroke Volume (SV)

The amount of blood ejected with each heartbeat.

Preload

The degree of stretch of cardiac muscle fibers at the end of diastole.

Afterload

The resistance to the ejection of blood from the ventricle.

Contractility

The ability of cardiac muscle to shorten in response to an electrical impulse.

Cardiac output (CO)

The amount of blood pumped by a ventricle in liters per minute, defined by the formula: $CO = SV \times HR$.

Frank–Starling mechanism

The heart’s physiological ability to change its contraction force, and therefore stroke volume, in response to changes in venous return.

P wave

The part of the ECG representing the depolarization of the atrial myocardium.

QRS-complex

The part of the ECG representing the depolarization of the ventricular myocardium.

T wave

The part of the ECG representing the repolarization of the ventricular myocardium.

Normal Sinus Rhythm

A cardiac rhythm characterized by a steady rhythm and rate.

Ventricular Fibrillation

A cardiac rhythm characterized by a chaotic rhythm and rate.

Cardiac biomarkers

Laboratory tests used to assess the heart, including troponin, creatinine kinase MB, and myoglobin.

Pharmacologic stress testing

A diagnostic procedure where vasodilating agents are administered to mimic the effects of exercise.

Echocardiography

An ultrasound test used to measure ejection fraction and examine the size, shape, and motion of cardiac structures.

Cardiac Catheterization

An invasive procedure using a contrast agent to diagnose structural and functional diseases of the heart and great vessels, often requiring 2 to 6 hours of bedrest post-procedure.

5 P's of circulation assessment

A diagnostic mnemonic used post-cardiac catheterization consisting of pain, pallor, pulse, paresthesia, and paralysis.