patholic and procedures

Bradycardia

A slower than normal heart rate, often resulting from failure of proper conduction of impulses from the SA node.

Heart Block (Atrioventricular Block)

Failure of proper conduction of impulses from the SA node through the AV node to the atrioventricular bundle.

Coarctation of the Aorta (CoA)

Narrowing (coarctation) of the aorta.

Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)

A passageway between the aorta and the pulmonary artery that remains open (patent) after birth.

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)

A condition in which the heart is unable to pump its required amount of blood.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

Disease of the arteries surrounding the heart.

Atherosclerosis

Accumulation of plaque in the lumen of an artery.

Ischemia

Reduced blood flow to the heart muscle leading to tissue damage or infarction.

Infarct

Area of dead tissue resulting from a myocardial infarction.

Atherosclerotic Plaque

Forms from the collection of lipids in the arteries.

Aneurysm

Local widening (dilation) of an arterial wall.

Hypertension (HTN)

High blood pressure.

Essential Hypertension

Most high blood pressure with no identifiable cause.

Varicose Veins

Abnormally swollen and twisted veins, usually occurring in the legs.

Angina (Pectoris)

Chest pain resulting from myocardial ischemia.

Auscultation

Listening for sounds in blood vessels or other body structures using a stethoscope.

Cardiac Tamponade

Pressure on the heart caused by fluid in the pericardial space.

Occlusion

Closure of a blood vessel due to blockage.

Patent

Open.

Petechiae

Small, pinpoint hemorrhages.

Lipoprotein Electrophoresis

Separation and measurement of lipoproteins in a blood sample.

Angiography

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

Cardiac Catheterization

A procedure in which a thin, flexible tube is guided into the heart via a vein or an artery.

Electrocardiography (ECG)

Recording of electricity flowing through the heart.

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG)

Surgical procedure where arteries and veins are anastomosed to coronary arteries to detour around blockages.

Endarterectomy

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

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI)

A procedure involving a balloon-tipped catheter to open a coronary artery with stents placed.

Thrombolytic Therapy

Injection of drugs to dissolve clots in patients with coronary thrombosis.

Pericardiocentesis

Procedure used to relieve pressure on the myocardium.

Heart Block

Condition caused by sinoatrial node damage resulting in bradycardia.

Apex Heart

Lower tip of the heart, shaped like a cone.