29 - Concepts of Care for Patients with Cardiac Conditions

acute pericarditis

an inflammation or alteration of the pericardium, the membranous sac that encloses the heart; may be fibrous, serous, hemorrhagic, purulent, or neoplastic

afterload

the pressure or resistance that the ventricles must overcome to eject blood through the semilunar valves and into the peripheral blood vessels

aortic regurgitation

the flow of blood from the aorta back into the left ventricle during diastole that occurs when the valve leaflets do not close properly during diastole and the annulus (the valve ring that attaches to the leaflets) is dilated or deformed

aortic stenosis

the narrowing of the aortic valve orifice and obstruction of left ventricular outflow during systole

cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT)

the use of a permanent pacemaker alone or in combination with an implantable cardioverter/defibrillator (ICD) to provide biventricular pacing

cardiac tamponade

the compression of the myocardium by fluid that has accumulated around the heart

cardiomegaly

the enlargement of the heart

diastolic heart failure

a heart failure that occurs when the left ventricle is unable to relax adequately during diastole, which prevents the ventricle from filling with enough blood to ensure adequate cardiac output

dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)

the inability of the heart to pump effectively due to enlargement (dilation) and weakening of the ventricles

ejection fraction (EF)

the percentage of blood ejected from the left ventricle with each contraction

exertional dyspnea

a breathlessness or difficulty breathing that develops during activity or exertion

heart failure (HF)

a general term for the inadequacy of the heart to pump blood throughout the body, causing insufficient perfusion of body tissues with vital nutrients and oxygen

hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)

the inability of the heart to pump blood effectively due to thickening (hypertrophy) of the heart muscle

infective endocarditis

a microbial infection (e.g., viruses, bacteria, fungi) involving the endocardium

mitral regurgitation

the inability of the mitral valve to close completely during systole, which allows the backflow of blood into the left atrium when the ventricle contracts

mitral stenosis

the thickening of the mitral valve due to fibrosis and calcification in which the valve leaflets fuse and become stiff and the valve opening narrows, which prevents normal blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle

mitral valve prolapse (MVP)

the dysfunction of the mitral valve that occurs because the valvular leaflets enlarge and prolapse into the left atrium during systole

myocardial hypertrophy

the enlargement of the cardiac muscle

pericardial effusion

the accumulation of fluid in the pericardial space

pericardiocentesis

the withdrawal of pericardial fluid through a catheter inserted into the pericardial space to relieve the pressure on the heart

petechiae

pinpoint, red or purple spots on the mucous membranes, palate, conjunctivae, or skin caused by bleeding within the dermal or submucosal layers

pulsus alternans

a type of pulse in which a weak pulse alternates with a strong pulse despite a regular heart rhythm seen in patients with severely depressed cardiac function

restrictive cardiomyopathy

the inability of the heart to pump effectively due to restrictive filling of the ventricles

rheumatic carditis

the sensitivity response that develops after an upper respiratory tract infection with group A beta-hemolytic streptococci that can damage the heart valves

S3 gallop

the third heart sound or an early diastolic filling sound that indicates an increase in left ventricular pressure and may be heard on auscultation in patients with heart failure

splinter hemorrhage

a black, longitudinal line or small red streak on the distal third of the nail bed seen in patients with infective endocarditis

systolic heart failure

a heart failure that results when the heart is unable to contract forcefully enough during systole to eject adequate amounts of blood into circulation

ventricular assist device (VAD)

a mechanical pump that is surgically inserted and has an external power source that supports the function of the ventricles and heart