chapter 11

Arrhythmias

Abnormal heart rhythms (dysrhythmias).

Bradycardia and heart block

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

Flutter

Rapid but regular contractions, usually of the atria.

Fibrillation

Very rapid, random, inefficient, and irregular contractions of the heart (350 beats or more per minute).

Congenital heart disease

Abnormalities in the heart at birth.

Coarctation of the aorta (CoA)

Narrowing (coarctation) of the aorta.

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)

Passageway (ductus arteriosus) between the aorta and the pulmonary artery remains open (patent) after birth.

Septal defects

Small holes in the wall between the atria (atrial septal defects) or the ventricles (ventricular septal defects).

Tetralogy of Fallot

Congenital malformation involving four distinct heart defects.

Congestive heart failure (CHF)

Heart is unable to pump its required amount of blood.

Coronary artery disease (CAD)

Disease of the arteries surrounding the heart.

Endocarditis

Inflammation of the inner lining of the heart.

Hypertensive heart disease

High blood pressure affecting the heart.

Mitral valve prolapse (MVP)

Improper closure of the mitral valve.

Murmur

Extra heart sound, heard between normal beats.

Pericarditis

Inflammation of the membrane (pericardium) surrounding the heart.

Rheumatic heart disease

Heart disease caused by rheumatic fever.

Aneurysm

Local widening (dilation) of an arterial wall.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

Blood clot (thrombus) forms in a large vein, usually in a lower limb.

Hypertension (HTN)

High blood pressure.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD)

Blockage of arteries carrying blood to the legs, arms, kidneys, and other organs.

Raynaud disease

Recurrent episodes of pallor and cyanosis primarily in fingers and toes.

Varicose veins

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

BNP test

Measurement of BNP (brain natriuretic peptide) in blood.

Cardiac biomarkers

Chemicals measured in the blood as evidence of a heart attack.

Lipid tests (lipid profile)

Measurement of cholesterol and triglycerides (fats) in a blood sample.

Lipoprotein electrophoresis

Lipoproteins (combinations of fat and protein) are physically separated and measured in a blood sample.

Angiography

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

Computed tomography angiography (CTA)

Three-dimensional x-ray images of the heart and coronary arteries using computed tomography (64-slice CT scanner).

Digital subtraction angiography (DSA)

Video equipment and a computer produce x-ray images of blood vessels.

Electron beam computed tomography (EBCT or EBT)

Electron beams and CT identify calcium deposits in and around coronary arteries to diagnose early CAD.

Doppler ultrasound studies

Sound waves measure blood flow within blood vessels.

Echocardiography (ECHO)

Echoes generated by high-frequency sound waves produce images of the heart.

Positron emission tomography (PET) scan

Images show blood flow and myocardial function following uptake of radioactive glucose.

Technetium Tc 99m sestamibi scan

Technetium Tc 99m sestamibi injected intravenously is taken up in cardiac tissue, where it is detected by scanning.

Thallium 201 scan

Concentration of radioactive thallium is measured to give information about blood supply to the heart muscle.

Cardiac MRI

Images of the heart are produced using radiowave energy in a magnetic field.

Cardiac catheterization

Thin, flexible tube is guided into the heart via a vein or an artery.

Electrocardiography (ECG)

Recording of electricity flowing through the heart.

Holter monitoring

An ECG device is worn over a prolonged period to detect cardiac arrhythmias.

Stress test

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

Catheter ablation

Brief delivery of radiofrequency energy to destroy areas of heart tissue that may be causing arrhythmias.

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)

Arteries and veins are anastomosed to coronary arteries to detour around blockages.

defibrillation

Brief discharges of electricity are applied across the chest to stop dysrhythmias (ventricular fibrillation).

endarterectomy

Surgical removal of plaque from the inner layer of an artery

extracorporeal circulation

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

heart transplantation

A donor heart is transferred to a recipient.

percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)

Balloon-tipped catheter is inserted into a coronary artery to open the artery; stents are put in place.

thrombolytic therapy

Drugs to dissolve clots are injected into the bloodstream of patients with coronary thrombosis.

transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)

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