Cardiology

Ischaemia

Insufficient blood supply to the heart, increasing surgical risk.

Anaesthesia

Induced state to manage pain during surgery, can increase myocardial oxygen demand.

Cardiac assessment

Preoperative evaluation that includes METs, ECG, medications, and cardiac history.

ECG Monitoring

Intraoperative monitoring of heart rhythms, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation.

MI

Myocardial Infarction, a critical post-operative condition to monitor.

Pulmonary circulation

Circulation system responsible for pumping blood to the lungs.

Systemic circulation

Circulation system responsible for pumping blood to the body.

Cardiac output

The amount of blood the heart pumps per minute, calculated as HR × Stroke Volume.

PR interval

A normal ECG value representing the time from the onset of atrial depolarization to ventricular depolarization, should be 0.12-0.20 sec.

QRS complex

A normal ECG value representing ventricular depolarization, should be ≤ 0.12 sec.

QT interval

A normal ECG value representing the time taken for ventricular depolarization and repolarization, should be 0.36-0.44 sec.

AF (Atrial Fibrillation)

An irregular heart rhythm with no P waves, increasing stroke risk.

VT (Ventricular Tachycardia)

Rapid heart rhythm with wide QRS complex, may cause collapse.

Bradycardia

A slow heart rate (<60 bpm) that can cause syncope.

STEMI

A type of myocardial infarction marked by ST elevation on ECG, requiring urgent care.

Alpha blockers

Medications that block alpha-1 receptors, causing vasodilation to lower blood pressure.

Adenosine

An ultra-short acting antiarrhythmic used to terminate paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia.

Amiodarone

A multi-class antiarrhythmic drug used for life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias.

Beta blockers

Medications that block beta-1 receptors, reducing heart rate and myocardial oxygen demand.

Calcium channel blockers (CCBs)

Medications that inhibit calcium ion influx, leading to vasodilation and reduced heart rate.

Digoxin

A cardiac glycoside that increases heart contraction force and controls heart rate.

Diuretics

Medications that increase urine output to reduce fluid volume and lower blood pressure.

Statins

Cholesterol-lowering medications that reduce the risk of cardiovascular events.

Warfarin

An anticoagulant that inhibits vitamin K-dependent clotting factors for thrombosis prevention.

Heparin

An anticoagulant that binds to antithrombin III, inhibiting thrombin and factor Xa.

Antiplatelets

Medications that prevent platelet aggregation, used in cardiovascular disease.

Nitrates

Vasodilators used primarily to treat angina and myocardial infarction.

Atropine

An anticholinergic used to speed up heart rate in bradycardia emergencies.

Scopolamine

An anticholinergic used to prevent nausea and motion sickness.

Labetalol

A combined alpha and beta-blocker used for hypertensive emergencies.

Epinephrine

A vasopressor and bronchodilator used in anaphylaxis and cardiac arrest.

Dopamine

An inotrope and vasopressor used in shock and bradycardia management.

Metoprolol

A selective beta-1 blocker for rate control in atrial fibrillation and hypertension.

Cardiac assessment

Preoperative evaluation that includes METs, ECG, medications, and cardiac history.

Atria

The upper chambers of the heart that receive blood from the body and lungs.

Ventricles

The lower chambers of the heart that pump blood to the lungs and body.

AF (Atrial Fibrillation)

An irregular heart rhythm with no P waves, increasing stroke risk.

VT (Ventricular Tachycardia)

Rapid heart rhythm with wide QRS complex, may cause collapse.

Bradycardia

A slow heart rate (<60 bpm) that can cause syncope.

Alpha blockers

Medications that block alpha-1 receptors, causing vasodilation to lower blood pressure.

Adenosine

An ultra-short acting antiarrhythmic used to terminate paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia.

Amiodarone

A multi-class antiarrhythmic drug used for life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias.

Beta blockers

Medications that block beta-1 receptors, reducing heart rate and myocardial oxygen demand.