Cardiology and Shock Management: Key Terms and Interventions

Adenosine

Medication injected rapidly to pause conduction briefly, used for SVT.

Anaphylactic Shock

Shock with airway compromise, bronchospasm, and widespread vasodilation.

Asystole

Flatline on the monitor.

Atherosclerosis

Buildup of plaque in arterial walls.

Atrial Fibrillation

Irregularly irregular rhythm with no distinct P waves.

Atrial Flutter

Sawtooth pattern on ECG caused by rapid atrial depolarizations.

Beta Blockers

Medication that slows heart rate and decreases myocardial oxygen demand.

Blood Cultures

Diagnostic test that must be obtained before starting antibiotics.

BNP

Lab test used to help diagnose heart failure exacerbation.

Broad-Spectrum Antibiotics

Given within the first hour of sepsis recognition.

Calcium Channel Blockers

Medication class that slows AV node conduction, used in atrial arrhythmias.

Capture

Evidence that pacemaker stimulus is successfully conducted.

Cardiac Tamponade

Life-threatening compression of the heart, Beck's triad present.

Cardiogenic Shock

Shock due to pump failure of the heart.

Cardioversion

Synchronized electrical shock delivered to terminate unstable tachyarrhythmia.

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft

Surgical creation of new blood flow around blocked arteries.

Crystalloids

First-line fluid resuscitation for most shock states.

Daily Weights

Most accurate way to monitor fluid status in heart failure.

Defibrillation

Emergency intervention only used for pulseless ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation.

Digoxin

Medication that increases contractility but has a narrow therapeutic index.

Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs)

Newer agents like apixaban or rivaroxaban that reduce stroke risk in atrial fibrillation without routine lab monitoring.

Distributive Shock

Shock category that includes septic, anaphylactic, and neurogenic shock.

Diuretics

Medication class that reduces fluid overload in heart failure.

Failure to Pace

Pacemaker malfunction where no impulse is delivered when needed.

Fluid Resuscitation

Initial 30 mL/kg bolus of crystalloids recommended in sepsis.

Hypokalemia

Electrolyte imbalance that predisposes patients to PVCs and ventricular tachycardia.

Hypovolemic Shock

Shock caused by blood or fluid loss.

Infective Endocarditis

Infection of the heart valves, often with new murmur or emboli.

Lactate

Lab test often elevated in shock, reflecting poor tissue perfusion.

Left-Sided Heart Failure

Leads to pulmonary congestion and dyspnea.

MONA

Acronym for immediate ACS treatment.

NSTEMI

Myocardial infarction without ST elevation but with positive cardiac biomarkers.

Neurogenic Shock

Shock presenting with hypotension and bradycardia.

Norepinephrine

First-line vasopressor used in septic shock.

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Catheter-based procedure to restore blood flow in ACS.

Pericardial Friction Rub

Scratchy sound heard on auscultation in pericarditis.

Phlebostatic axis

Landmark to indicate the level of the apex of the heart; 4th intercostal space, mid-axillary line.

Premature Ventricular Contraction

Wide, bizarre QRS complex that interrupts the rhythm.

qSOFA

Quick bedside assessment: altered mentation, respiratory rate ≥22, systolic BP ≤100.

Rheumatic Fever

Post-streptococcal condition that can damage heart valves.

Second Degree AV Block, Type I

PR interval progressively lengthens until a beat is dropped.

Sensing

Pacemaker's ability to detect intrinsic cardiac activity.

Sepsis

Life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection.

Septic Shock

Shock caused by overwhelming infection leading to vasodilation and capillary leak.

SOFA Score

Tool used to evaluate severity of organ dysfunction in sepsis.

ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction

ECG finding that signals complete coronary artery occlusion.

Stable Angina

Chest pain with exertion, relieved by rest or nitroglycerin.

Statins

Medication class that lowers cholesterol and stabilizes plaque.

Transcutaneous Pacing

Emergency intervention that uses skin-electrodes to delivers electrical impulses to maintain heart rate.

Troponin

Cardiac biomarker most specific for myocardial injury.

Unstable Angina

Chest pain at rest or increasing in frequency, not relieved by nitroglycerin.

Ventricular Tachycardia

Wide QRS rhythm over 100 beats per minute, potentially pulseless.

Warfarin

Vitamin K antagonist used for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation; requires INR monitoring.