Module 14: Disorders of Cardiac Function Practice Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering pericardial disorders, endocarditis, cardiomyopathies, arrhythmias, valvular and congenital heart defects, and myocardial ischemia/infarction.

Pericardium

The double-layered sac around the heart consisting of a parietal and visceral layer with serous fluid between them to reduce friction.

Acute pericarditis

Inflammation of the pericardium that can cause sharp chest pain and a pericardial friction rub, often relieved by sitting up or leaning forward.

Cardiac tamponade

A life-threatening complication where fluid accumulation compresses the heart, preventing ventricles from filling during diastole and leading to decreased cardiac output.

Pulsus paradoxus

A sign of cardiac tamponade involving an abnormal drop in blood pressure during inspiration.

Infective endocarditis

An infection of the endocardium and heart valves, most often caused by Staphylococcus or Streptococcus bacteria, characterized by the formation of vegetations.

Vegetations

Fragile clumps made of microorganisms, dead cells, inflammatory debris, and clotted blood that can damage heart valves or become emboli.

Molecular mimicry

A process in rheumatic heart disease where antibodies against a Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal infection mistakenly attack similar proteins in the heart, joints, skin, and nervous system.

Aschoff bodies

Small nodules of inflammation found in the heart tissue of individuals with rheumatic heart disease.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

A condition where the heart muscle, especially the left ventricle and interventricular septum, becomes abnormally thick and stiff, representing a major cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes.

Dilated cardiomyopathy

A condition where the heart chambers becomes enlarged, weak, and flabby, resulting in reduced contractility and a reduced ejection fraction.

Myocarditis

Inflammation of the myocardium, often caused by viruses like enteroviruses or adenoviruses, which can damage myocardial cells and interfere with electrical conduction.

Atrial fibrillation

A rapid, disorganized quivering of the atria that reduces atrial filling and increases the risk for blood clots and stroke.

Ventricular fibrillation

A chaotic quivering of the ventricles that is fatal within minutes if not treated because the heart cannot pump blood effectively.

Sinus tachycardia

A heart rate greater than $100$ beats per minute.

Sinus bradycardia

A heart rate less than $60$ beats per minute.

Third-degree AV block

A complete heart block where the atria and ventricles beat independently because the impulse from the atria is not conducted to the ventricles.

Valvular stenosis

A condition where a heart valve is narrowed or stiff and does not open fully, creating resistance to forward blood flow.

Valvular insufficiency (regurgitation)

A condition where a heart valve does not close completely, allowing blood to leak backward and causing volume overload in the heart chamber.

Patent ductus arteriosus

A congenital defect where the fetal connection between the pulmonary artery and the aorta remains open after birth.

Tetralogy of Fallot

A congenital heart condition involving four defects: ventricular septal defect, displaced aorta, pulmonary stenosis, and right ventricular hypertrophy.

Coarctation of the aorta

A narrowing of the aorta that creates high blood pressure before the narrowing and poor perfusion (weak pulses) in the lower extremities.

Myocardial ischemia

Reduced blood flow to the heart muscle resulting in decreased oxygen delivery, occurring when oxygen demand exceeds supply.

Angina

Ischemic chest pain that occurs when the heart's oxygen demand rises and the narrowed coronary arteries cannot provide enough supply.

Myocardial infarction (MI)

Death or necrosis of myocardial tissue caused by prolonged ischemia lasting longer than approximately $20$ to $30$ minutes.

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS)

A group of conditions resulting from sudden reduced blood flow to the heart, including unstable angina, NSTEMI, and STEMI.

Unstable angina

Chest pain occurring at rest, or that is new or worsening, usually caused by a ruptured plaque without enough cell death to raise cardiac biomarkers.

NSTEMI

A type of myocardial infarction usually caused by partial coronary artery occlusion that results in myocardial necrosis and elevated cardiac markers without ST elevation on ECG.

STEMI

A severe myocardial infarction usually caused by complete coronary artery occlusion, characterized by significant tissue damage and ST elevation on ECG.

Cardiac biomarkers

Intracellular proteins such as Troponin I, Troponin T, creatine kinase, and lactate dehydrogenase that leak into the blood when myocardial cells die.

pericardium

is the double-layered sac around the heart. It has a parietal and visceral layer with a small amount of serous fluid between them. This fluid helps reduce friction as the heart beats. becomes inflamed or fluid builds up, the heart may not be able to fill and pump normally.

acute pericarditis

is inflammation of the pericardium. It can be caused by viral or bacterial infections, rheumatic fever, autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus or rheumatoid arthritis, renal failure, radiation, or sometimes an unknown cause. The classic symptom is sharp chest pain that may radiate and is often relieved by sitting up or leaning forward.

A pericardial friction rub

may be heard with a stethoscope because the inflamed layers rub together. ECG changes can also occur.

pericardial effusion

is the accumulation of fluid in the pericardial cavity. Causes include infection, trauma, surgery, tumors, autoimmune disease, cardiac rupture, or dissecting aneurysm. The effect depends on how much fluid collects, how fast it collects, and how stretchy the pericardium is. If fluid builds slowly, the pericardium may stretch. If it builds quickly, even a small amount can become dangerous.It can lead to decreased cardiac output, muffled heart sounds, and signs of cardiac tamponade in severe cases.

cardiac tamponade

is a serious condition that occurs when fluid accumulates in the pericardial space, leading to increased pressure on the heart. This pressure prevents the heart from filling properly, resulting in decreased cardiac output and potentially causing shock.

infective endocarditis

is an infection of the endocardium, usually involving the heart valves. It is most often caused by bacteria such as Staphylococcus or Streptococcus. The infection causes vegetations, which are fragile clumps made of microorganisms, dead cells, inflammatory debris, and clotted blood. These vegetations can damage valves, break off and become emboli, cause arrhythmias, spread bacteria into the blood, or lead to aneurysms.

risk factors of infective endocarditis

damaged heart valves, IV drug use, diabetes, immunodeficiency, prosthetic valves, and cardiovascular devices. Bacteria can enter the bloodstream through dental procedures, GI infections, skin infections, or IV drug use.

manifestations of infective endocarditis

are the clinical signs and symptoms resulting from the infection, which may include fever, chills, night sweats, fatigue, and signs of embolism such as petechiae, splinter hemorrhages, or Janeway lesions.

diagnosis of infective endocarditis

is typically established through a combination of clinical evaluation, blood cultures to identify the causative organism, and echocardiography to visualize vegetations on the heart valves.

rheumatic heart disease

is a complication of rheumatic fever that affects the heart, leading to inflammation and damage to the heart valves. It can result from untreated streptococcal throat infections.

rheumatic heart disease manifestations

include Aschoff bodies, migratory polyarthritis, subcutaneous nodules, erythema marginatum, and Sydenham chorea.

cardiomyopathy

is a disease of the heart muscle that affects its size, shape, and ability to pump blood. It can result from a variety of causes including genetics, infections, and long-term substance abuse.

hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

is a condition where the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick, potentially leading to heart failure and arrhythmias. It is often hereditary and can be exacerbated by increased physical activity.

myocarditis

is an inflammation of the heart muscle, often caused by infections, autoimmune diseases, or exposure to toxins. This condition can lead to symptoms such as chest pain, fatigue, and arrhythmias.

dilated cardiomyopathy

is a disorder characterized by the enlargement and weakening of the heart muscle, which impairs its ability to pump blood effectively. Common causes include genetic factors, viral infections, and long-term alcohol use.

arrthythmias

are irregular heartbeats that can disrupt the normal pumping of blood, potentially leading to serious complications such as stroke or heart failure.

supraventricular arrthymias

are abnormal heart rhythms originating above the ventricles, typically from the atria or atrioventricular node. These can cause palpitations, dizziness, and in some cases, may require medical intervention.

atrial fibrillation

is a common type of supraventricular arrhythmia characterized by rapid and irregular beating of the atria. This condition can lead to increased risk of stroke and heart failure if not managed properly.

atrial flutter

is a type of supraventricular arrhythmia characterized by rapid, rhythmic contractions of the atria, often resulting in a distinct "sawtooth" pattern on an electrocardiogram (ECG). It can lead to similar symptoms as atrial fibrillation and may require treatment to restore normal heart rhythm.

ventricular arrythmias

are abnormal heart rhythms that originate in the ventricles. These can be life-threatening and may result in significant symptoms, including fainting, palpitations, or sudden cardiac arrest.

premature ventricular complexes

are early heartbeats originating from the ventricles, disrupting the normal heart rhythm. They can occur in healthy individuals and may cause palpitations, but frequent occurrences can indicate underlying heart issues.

ventricular fibrillation

is a life-threatening arrhythmia characterized by chaotic electrical activity in the ventricles, resulting in ineffective pumping of blood and requiring immediate medical intervention, such as defibrillation.

rate disorder

is an abnormal heart rhythm that results in an irregular heart rate, which can be either too fast (tachycardia) or too slow (bradycardia), affecting the heart's efficiency in pumping blood.

av blocks

are a type of heart block that occurs when the conduction between the atria and ventricles is impaired, leading to a delay or complete failure of electrical signals to pass through the atrioventricular (AV) node.

first degree av bloc

is a type of AV block where there is a delay in the conduction of electrical impulses from the atria to the ventricles, indicated by a prolonged PR interval on an electrocardiogram, but all impulses are eventually conducted.

second degree av block

is characterized by a partial block of electrical impulses between the atria and ventricles, resulting in some impulses failing to reach the ventricles, leading to missed beats.

third degree av block

is a complete block of electrical conduction between the atria and ventricles, resulting in the atria and ventricles beating independently of each other. This condition often requires a pacemaker for treatment.

arrhythmia diagnosis

involves assessing heart rhythm abnormalities through methods such as electrocardiograms (ECGs), Holter monitoring, and symptom evaluation to determine the underlying cause and appropriate treatment.

arrhythmias treatment

involves various approaches, including medications, lifestyle changes, catheter ablation, or the use of implantable devices like pacemakers and defibrillators to restore normal heart rhythm.

valvular disorders

are conditions that affect the function of the heart valves, leading to issues such as stenosis or regurgitation, which can impair blood flow and heart efficiency. caused by degenerative changes, rheumatic heart disease, congenital defects, calcification, infective endocarditis, ischemic heart disease, or connective tissue disorders. The major issue is that the valve either does not open fully or does not close fully.v

valvular stenosis

is a type of valvular disorder where a heart valve does not open fully, restricting blood flow and increasing the workload on the heart. This can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and palpitations.

valvular insufficiency or reguritation

is a condition where a heart valve does not close properly, allowing blood to flow backward. This can lead to symptoms such as heart murmurs, fatigue, and shortness of breath.

mitral valve stenosis

is a specific type of valvular stenosis affecting the mitral valve, resulting in narrowed passage for blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle. It commonly leads to symptoms such as exertional dyspnea, fatigue, and palpitations.

mitral valve regurgitation

is a condition where the mitral valve does not close completely, causing blood to flow back into the left atrium during ventricular contraction. This may result in symptoms like fatigue, palpitations, and shortness of breath.

bicuspid aortic valve

is a congenital heart defect where the aortic valve has only two cusps instead of the usual three. This can lead to aortic stenosis or regurgitation and may cause symptoms like chest pain, fatigue, and shortness of breath.

aortic regurgitation

is a condition characterized by the backflow of blood from the aorta into the left ventricle due to incomplete closure of the aortic valve. It can lead to symptoms such as dyspnea, fatigue, and palpitations.

pulmonary valve problems

are issues affecting the valve that regulates blood flow from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery. These can include stenosis or regurgitation, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, and shortness of breath.

congenital heart defects

are structural abnormalities of the heart present at birth, which can affect normal blood flow and function. These defects can lead to various complications, including heart failure, cyanosis, and growth issues.

patent ductus arteriosus

is a condition where the ductus arteriosus fails to close after birth, resulting in abnormal blood flow between the aorta and pulmonary artery. This can cause symptoms like breathlessness, fatigue, and a heart murmur.

atrial septal defect

is a congenital heart defect characterized by an abnormal opening in the atrial septum that separates the heart's two upper chambers. This allows blood to flow between the left and right atria, potentially leading to increased blood flow to the lungs and heart failure.

ventricular septal defect

is a congenital heart defect that involves a hole in the ventricular septum, which separates the heart's lower chambers. This defect allows blood to flow from the left to the right ventricle, potentially causing increased pulmonary blood flow and heart failure.

teratology of fallot

is a congenital heart defect that comprises four specific abnormalities: ventricular septal defect, pulmonary stenosis, right ventricular hypertrophy, and an overriding aorta. This combination can lead to decreased blood flow to the lungs and inadequate oxygenation of the blood.

contraction of the aorta

is a congenital condition characterized by a narrowing of the aorta, which can restrict blood flow and increase blood pressure in the heart and surrounding arteries.

transposition of the great arteries

is a serious congenital heart defect where the two main arteries leaving the heart are reversed. This abnormality results in two separate circulatory systems: one that circulates blood to the body and another that circulates blood to the lungs, leading to inadequate oxygenation of the blood.

myocardial oxygen supply and demand

refers to the balance between the amount of oxygen the heart muscle receives and the amount needed for its metabolic activities. An imbalance can lead to conditions such as angina or myocardial ischemia.

myocardial ischemia

is a condition characterized by reduced blood flow to the heart muscle, resulting in a deficiency of oxygen. This can lead to chest pain and potential heart damage if not treated.

coronary artery disease

is a condition characterized by the narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries due to atherosclerosis, which can lead to reduced blood flow to the heart muscle, resulting in chest pain, heart attacks, and other complications.

myocardial infarction

is a medical emergency that occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked for an extended period, causing damage to the heart muscle. Commonly known as a heart attack, it often results in chest pain and may lead to severe complications if not promptly treated.

CAC (coronary artery calcification

is a measurement of the amount of calcium deposits in the coronary arteries, used as an indicator of atherosclerotic heart disease risk. High levels of CAC are associated with an increased likelihood of coronary artery disease and potential heart problems.

actue coronary syndrome

refers to a spectrum of conditions resulting from reduced blood flow to the heart, including unstable angina and myocardial infarction. It is often characterized by sudden chest pain, shortness of breath, and requires urgent medical attention.

unstable angina

is a condition characterized by sudden chest pain due to reduced blood flow to the heart. It occurs unexpectedly and can signal an impending heart attack, requiring immediate medical attention.

non - ST elevatio myocardial infarction

(NSTEMI) is a type of heart attack that occurs without the full elevation of the ST segment on an ECG. It is caused by partial blockage of a coronary artery, leading to reduced blood flow and potential heart muscle damage.

ST elevation myocardial infarction

(STEMI) is a type of heart attack characterized by the complete blockage of a coronary artery, resulting in significant elevation of the ST segment on an ECG and extensive damage to the heart muscle.

heart tissue with MI

refers to the damage or death of heart muscle cells due to a myocardial infarction (MI). This occurs when blood supply is obstructed, leading to ischemia and subsequent necrosis of the heart tissue.

heart tissue with MI manifestations

refers to the changes and damage in the heart tissue that occur during or after a myocardial infarction (MI), including cell death, inflammation, and scarring.

heart tissue with MI complications

refers to the potential adverse outcomes following a myocardial infarction (MI), which can include heart failure, arrhythmias, and the development of aneurysms or thrombus formation.

heart tissue with MI diagnosis

involves various methods such as electrocardiograms (ECGs), echocardiograms, blood tests for cardiac markers, and imaging techniques to assess heart function and identify the extent of damage.

heart tissue with MI treatment

includes medical management with medications such as antiplatelets and beta-blockers, possible angioplasty or stenting, and lifestyle modifications to improve cardiac health.