cardiovascular

Lipid Tests (Lipid profile)

Measurement of cholesterol & triglycerides

Saturated fats

Come from animal origin such as milk, butter & meat that increase the cholesterol in the blood

Polyunsaturated fats

Vegetable origin such as corn & sunflower oil that decrease blood cholesterol

Lipoprotein Electrophoresis

Lipoproteins (combination of fat & protein) are physically separated & measured in a blood sample

LDL (LOW-DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN)

The higher the levels increase risk for atherosclerosis (Think BACON fat)

HDL (HIGH-DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN)

High levels protect from atherosclerosis (Think Green Veggies & Exercise)

Angiography

X-ray imaging of blood vessels after injection of contrast material

Arteriography

Is an x-ray imaging of arteries after injection of contrast via a catheter into the aorta or an artery

Computed Tomography angiography

Three dimensional x-ray images of heart & coronary arteries using computed tomography

Digital subtraction angiography (DSA)

Video equipment & a computer produce x-ray images of blood vessels; the computer compares the images taken by the DSA leaving an image of the vessel with contrast

Electron beam computed tomography (ECBT OR EBT)

Electrons beams & CT identify calcium deposits in & around coronary arteries to diagnose any further cardiac risk

Doppler Ultrasound Studies

Sound waves measure blood flow within blood vessels

Duplex Ultrasound

Combines Doppler & conventional ultrasound allows the doctor to see structure of the blood vessels & speed of blood flow

ECHO (Echocardiography)

Generated by high-frequency sound waves produce images of the heart that help structure & movement of the heart

PET SCAN (Positron emission Tomography)

Images show blood flow & myocardial function following uptake of radioactive glucose; help detect Ischemic heart disease & Cardiomyopathy

Technetium TC 99m Sestamibi Scan

The Technetium TC 99m Sestamibi injected IV & goes into cardiac tissue & damage then can be detected by the scan, if a patient has had a MI (Heart Attack)

Thallium 201 scan

Where the concentration of the thallium is then measured the blood supply to the heart muscle; infarcted or scarred myocardium show up as 'cold spots'

Cardiac MRI

Images of the heart are produced using radio wave energy in a Magnetic field

Cardiac catheterization

Thin, flexible tube is guided into the heart via a vein or artery; if the vessel is believed to be too narrow there may be an Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) to evaluate the severity of the vessel narrowing

Electrocardiography (ECG)

Recording of electricity flowing through the heart

Holter monitoring

An EKG device is worn during a 24-hour period to detect cardiac arrhythmias

Stress Test

Exercise tolerance test (ETT) determines the heart's response to physical exertion (stress)

Normal sinus rhythm

Regularity

Atrial Flutter

Rapid atrial rate compared with a slower ventricular rate

Atrial Fibrillation

No effective atrial contractions

Ventricular Tachycardia

Ventricular rate may be as high as 250 beats per minute; the rhythm is regular, but the atria are not contributing to ventricular filling & the blood output is poor

Ventricular fibrillation

Ventricles in fibrillation cannot pump blood effectively

Circulation stops

Sudden cardiac death follows if fibrillation is not reversed (almost a flat line).

Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

Arteries & veins are anastomosed to coronary arteries to detour around blockage.

Defibrillation

Brief discharge of electricity is applied across the chest to stop dysrhythmias (ventricular fibrillation).

Endarterectomy

Surgical removal of plaque from the inner layer of an artery.

Carotid Endarterectomy

Procedure to remove plaque buildup in the carotid artery to reduce risk of stroke.

Extracorporeal Circulation

Heart-lung machine that diverts blood from the heart & lung while the heart is repaired.

Heart Transplantation

Donor heart is transferred to a recipient.

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)

Balloon-tipped catheter is inserted into a coronary artery to open the artery.

Transcatheter aortic valve Replacement (TAVR)

Placement of a balloon-expandable aortic heart valve into the body via catheter.

CABG/ Coronary artery bypass grafting

Arteries & veins are anastomosed to coronary arteries to detour around blockage.

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD)

An automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator placed in the upper chest.

Catheter Ablation

Brief delivery of radiofrequency energy to destroy an area of the heart tissue that may be causing arrhythmias.

Extracorporeal circulation

Heart-lung machine diverts blood from the heart & lungs while the heart is repaired.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)

Blood leaves the body, enters the machine where it is oxygenated, and then returned to a blood vessel to circulate through the bloodstream.

LVAD

Left Ventricular assist device, a booster pump implanted in the chest or abdomen from the left ventricle to the ascending aorta.

Stents

Expandable metal slotted tubes that are permanent to prevent restenosis.

Drug-eluting stents (DES)

Stents coated with polymer that releases anti-inflammatory & antiproliferative drugs to prevent scarring that could cause restenosis of the stent/blood vessel.

Thrombolytic Therapy

Drugs to dissolve clots are injected into the bloodstream of patients with coronary thrombosis; the drugs are given within 12 hrs of a heart attack.

Cardiovascular system

Davi -Ellen -Chabner states that 'The heart is a powerful muscular pump & the blood vessels are fuel lines and transport network.'

Blood Vessels

Three types: Arteries, Veins, & Capillaries.

Arteries

Large blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart.

Connective tissue

A type of tissue that supports, binds together, and protects tissues and organs of the body.

Muscle tissue

A tissue composed of fibers that can contract to produce movement.

Elastic fibers

Fibers that provide elasticity and resilience to tissues.

Epithelial cells

Cells that line the surfaces of the body, including organs and cavities.

Endothelial cells

Cells that line the interior surface of blood vessels and secrete factors that determine the size of blood vessels and decrease clotting.

Arteries

Blood vessels that must be strong due to the high pressure from the heart's pumping action.

Arterioles

Smaller and thinner blood vessels that carry blood to capillaries.

Capillaries

Very thin-walled blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood from arteries and arterioles to body cells.

Venules

Small blood vessels that return waste and blood back to the heart.

Veins

Blood vessels that carry waste and cells with less oxygen back to the heart, having thinner and less flexible walls.

Valves

Structures in veins that prevent backflow of blood and keep it moving in one direction.

Endothelium

The innermost layer of epithelial cells in blood vessels.

Heart weight

The heart weighs less than a pound and is about the size of an adult fist or slightly larger.

Venae cavae

The two largest veins in the body that carry oxygen-poor blood into the heart.

Superior Vena Cava

The vein that obtains oxygen-poor blood from the upper portion of the body.

Inferior Vena Cava

The vein that carries oxygen-poor blood from the lower part of the body.

Right atrium

The upper right chamber of the heart that receives oxygen-poor blood from the venae cavae.

Tricuspid valve

A one-way valve that allows blood to flow from the right atrium to the right ventricle.

Right ventricle

The lower right chamber of the heart that pumps oxygen-poor blood through the pulmonary valve.

Pulmonary artery

The artery that carries oxygen-deficient blood to the lungs.

Pulmonary veins

Veins that carry newly oxygenated blood back to the heart from the lungs.

Left atrium

The upper left chamber of the heart that receives oxygenated blood from the pulmonary veins.

Mitral valve

The valve that allows blood to flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle.

Left ventricle

The chamber of the heart that pumps oxygenated blood through the aortic valve into the aorta.

Aorta

The largest artery in the body that carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body.

Aortic Valve

Prevents backflow or return of aortic blood to the left ventricle.

Interatrial septum

Separates the two upper chambers (atria) of the heart.

Interventricular septum

A muscular wall that lies between the two lower chambers (ventricles).

Endocardium

A smooth layer of endothelial cells that lines the interior of the heart and heart valves.

Myocardium

The middle, muscular layer of the heart wall; it is the thickest layer.

Pericardium

A fibrous and membranous sac that surrounds the heart.

Visceral pericardium

Adhering to the heart.

Parietal pericardium

Lining the outer fibrous coat.

Pericardial cavity

The space between the visceral and parietal pericardial layers, normally containing 10 to 15 ml of pericardial fluid.

Systole

The contraction phase of the heartbeat, associated with the first sound 'lubb'.

Diastole

The relaxation phase of the heartbeat, associated with the second sound 'dubb'.

Murmur

A swishing sound of the heart.

Sinoatrial node (SA Node)

The specialized muscle tissue in the posterior portion of the right atrium where the electrical impulse originates; known as 'the Pacemaker'.

Atrioventricular node (AV)

Receives the waves of electricity from the SA node.

Atrioventricular bundle

Also known as the bundle of His, it divides into the left and right and contracts during systole.

Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)

Records the 5 waves of electrical changes of the heart.

Normal Sinus Rhythm (NSR)

A heart rhythm that originates at the SA node and travels through the heart.

Blood pressure

The pressure of circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels.

P wave

Spread of electrical wave over the atria just before contraction

QRS wave

Spread of electrical wave over the ventricles as they contract

T wave

Electrical recovery & relaxation of the ventricles

ST segment

Elevated in case of a heart attack

Hypertension

High blood pressure

Hypotension

Low blood pressure

Arrhythmias

Abnormal heart rhythms

Bradycardia

Slower heart rate (less than 60 beats per min)

Heart Block

Happens when the SA Node cannot reach the AV node; can be full or partial block.