Chapter 16: Ischemic Heart Disease and Cardiac Conduction Disorders

What is acute coronary syndrome (ACS)?

A condition due to ischemia affecting the heart.

What is myocardial infarction (MI)?

Prolonged ischemia leading to cell death in the heart.

What are dysrhythmias (arrhythmias)?

Disruptions in the electrical signals of the heart.

What does the P wave represent in an ECG?

Atrial depolarization.

What does the QRS complex represent in an ECG?

Ventricular depolarization.

What does the T wave represent in an ECG?

Ventricular repolarization.

What is a 12-lead ECG?

An ECG that provides 12 different views of the heart's electrical activity.

What is angina pectoris?

Chest pain due to myocardial ischemia.

What is stable angina?

Consistent, chronic chest pain that increases with activity and decreases with rest.

What is unstable angina?

New or increased severity of chest pain that occurs at rest and is unpredictable.

What are common risk factors for angina?

Cigarette smoking, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, metabolic syndrome.

What is the confirmatory test for myocardial infarction?

Cardiac troponin (cTn) blood test.

What is the difference between STEMI and NSTEMI?

STEMI is ST segment elevation MI, while NSTEMI is non-ST segment elevation MI.

What can cause myocardial ischemia?

Blood clots (coronary thrombosis) and atherosclerotic plaques.

What is a premature ventricular contraction (PVC)?

A contraction initiated by an ectopic pacemaker outside the normal conduction pathway.

What is ventricular tachycardia?

A rapid heart rate (>100 bpm) with ineffective ventricular contractions.

What is ventricular fibrillation?

A quivering heart rhythm that leads to ineffective pumping and can result in loss of consciousness.

What is infectious endocarditis (IE)?

An infection that damages heart valves, often associated with prosthetic valves or IV drug use.

What is myocarditis?

Inflammation of the heart muscle, often caused by viral infections.

What is pericarditis?

Inflammation of the pericardium leading to fluid accumulation around the heart.

What is cardiac tamponade?

Fluid accumulation that compresses the heart, impairing its function.

What is constrictive pericarditis?

Chronic inflammation causing the pericardium to become fibrous and restrict heart elasticity.

What therapeutic interventions are used for cardiac ischemia?

Oxygen, nitrates, aspirin, beta blockers, calcium antagonists, ACE inhibitors, and surgical interventions.

What is the significance of elevated cardiac troponin (cTn)?

It indicates myocardial damage and confirms a myocardial infarction.

What are the signs and symptoms of myocardial infarction?

Chest pain, dyspnea, palpitations, and lightheadedness.

What is the role of beta blockers in cardiac treatment?

They decrease myocardial oxygen demand.

What is the purpose of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PCTA)?

To open blocked coronary arteries and improve blood flow to the heart.