NUR 150 Modules 5 & 7: CAD & Atherosclerosis Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering cardiovascular concepts, diagnostics, risk factors, angina, acute coronary syndrome, and surgical interventions based on NUR 150 lecture notes.

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)

A general term for a group of disorders affecting the heart and blood vessels, including coronary artery disease, endocarditis, heart failure, arrhythmias, and valve disease.

Troponin (TNI)

A cardiac biomarker released by injured cells that rises within $4 \text{ to } 6\text{ hours}$, peaks at $10 \text{ to } 24\text{ hours}$, and remains detectable for up to $10 \text{ to } 14\text{ days}$ after Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS).

Copeptin

A substitute marker for arginine vasopressin (AVP) detected with acute MI, ischemic stroke, and heart failure; high copeptin levels indicate increased mortality with acute MI.

Creatine kinase (CK-MB)

A cardiac biomarker that rises in $3 \text{ to } 6\text{ hours}$, peaks in $12 \text{ to } 24\text{ hours}$, and returns to baseline within $12 \text{ to } 48\text{ hours}$ following acute coronary injury.

Cardiac natriuretic peptide markers (BNP)

Biomarkers released by the heart when it is stretched.

C-reactive protein (CRP)

A serum laboratory marker used to evaluate systemic inflammation.

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)

An echocardiographic diagnostic study that is particularly effective for evaluating valvular disorders.

Cardiac catheterization

The "gold standard" interventional diagnostic procedure using contrast and fluoroscopy to visualize blockages (diagnostic) or open blockages (interventional) in coronary arteries.

Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)

A diagnostic tool used in the cardiac catheterization lab to provide 2-D or 3-D views of coronary artery walls and to evaluate stent placement and atherectomy.

Electrophysiology study (EPS)

A diagnostic study in which electrodes are placed inside the heart to record and manipulate its electrical activity.

Atherosclerosis

A blood vessel disorder involving plaque accumulation in the coronary arteries; recognized as the major cause of coronary artery disease (CAD).

Fatty Streak

The early stage of atherosclerosis, appearing yellow by age $20$, characterized by lipid accumulation and migration into smooth muscle cells.

Fibrous Plaque

The stage of atherosclerosis appearing by age $30$ where collagen covers the fatty streak, narrowing the arterial lumen and reducing distal blood flow.

Complicated Lesion

The final stage of atherosclerosis characterized by plaque rupture, thrombus formation, and further narrowing or total occlusion of the blood vessel.

Collateral Circulation

The arterial response to chronic ischemia where increased pressure spawns new arterial branches that are weaker and narrower, leading to reduced oxygenation and heightened lesion risk.

FITT formula

A physical activity framework (Frequency, Intensity, Type, Time) recommending $30\text{ minutes}$ of activity on most days plus weight training $2\text{ days/week}$ for CAD management.

Chronic Stable Angina

Chest pain or discomfort occurring when myocardial oxygen demand exceeds supply; characterized by onset during physical exertion, stress, or emotional upset, and resolution with rest or nitrates.

Silent Ischemia

Myocardial ischemia that occurs without any subjective signs or chest pain, frequently associated with diabetic neuropathy.

Sublingual nitroglycerin (SL NTG)

A short-acting antianginal drug given as $1$ tablet or $1\text{ to }2$ metered sprays that relieves pain within $5\text{ minutes}$ with a duration of $30\text{ to }40\text{ minutes}$; EMS should be called if symptoms persist after $5\text{ minutes}$.

Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)

A continuum of clinical presentations resulting from stable plaque rupture and thrombus occlusion, including unstable angina, NSTEMI, and STEMI.

Unstable Angina

Chest pain characterized by new onset, increased frequency or duration, occurrence with less provocation, lasting greater than $10\text{ minutes}$, and non-responsiveness to nitrates.

STEMI

ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction; a medical emergency caused by total coronary artery occlusion requiring artery opening via PCI or thrombolytic therapy within $90\text{ minutes}$.

NSTEMI

Non-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction; partial occlusion of a coronary artery by thrombus causing subendocardial ischemia, typically managed with PCI within $12\text{ to }72\text{ hours}$.

Papillary muscle dysfunction or rupture

A complication of myocardial infarction that causes acute and massive mitral valve regurgitation and presents with a new systolic murmur.

Left Ventricular Aneurysm

An MI complication where the damaged myocardial wall thins and bulges outward during contraction, creating a risk of rupture.

Dressler syndrome

An autoimmune-mediated complication occurring $1\text{ to }8\text{ weeks}$ post-MI, characterized by pericarditis and fever.

Thrombolytic Therapy

An emergent IV treatment for STEMI indicated when PCI is unavailable, aimed at clot lysis to limit infarct size, administered within $30\text{ minutes}$ of hospital arrival.

Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)

Surgical revascularization recommended for patients who fail medical management, have left main coronary artery disease or $3\text{-vessel disease}$, or are poor candidates for PCI.