Pathophysiology of the Cardiovascular System 2

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the pathophysiology of endocardial, myocardial, pericardial, arterial, venous, and lymphatic diseases.

Valvular Insufficiency

The destruction and shrinkage/contraction of heart valves that prevents the proper closure of the corresponding orifice.

Valvular Stenosis

The fusion of commissures in thickened, calcified valve leaflets, leading to narrowing of the orifice and mechanical obstruction to blood flow.

Aortic Stenosis

Obstruction of blood flow from the left ventricle through the aortic orifice during systole.

Critical Orifice Surface (Aortic Stenosis)

A reduction in the orifice area to approximately $2\text{--}3\,cm^2$, leading to decreased stroke volume and increased pressure in the left ventricle.

Concentric Hypertrophy

A pathophysiological consequence of increased resistance to blood ejection from the left ventricle in aortic stenosis.

Pulsus parvus et tardus

A clinical manifestation of aortic stenosis characterized by a delayed and weak pulse wave.

Convergent Blood Pressure

A type of blood pressure finding in aortic stenosis where the systolic and diastolic pressures move closer together.

Aortic Insufficiency

The return of blood from the aorta into the left ventricle during diastole due to the valve's inability to remain completely closed.

Eccentric Hypertrophy

A compensatory mechanism in aortic insufficiency involving the enlargement and dilation of the left ventricle due to volume overload (increased preload).

Pulsus magnus et celer

A clinical manifestation of aortic insufficiency where the pulse is initially strong but rapidly loses strength.

Mitral Stenosis

Narrowing of the mitral orifice that obstructs the filling of the left ventricle during diastole, often caused by Rheumatic fever.

Lutembacher Syndrome

A complex cardiac defect consisting of an Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) combined with Mitral Stenosis.

Active Pulmonary Hypertension

The second phase of mitral stenosis pathogenesis where active constriction of pulmonary arterioles occurs when the orifice area is around $1\,cm^2$ (pressure matching $25\,mmHg$).

Mitral Insufficiency

The return of blood from the left ventricle to the left atrium during systole.

Tricuspid Stenosis

Reduced blood flow from the right atrium to the right ventricle during diastole, often associated with carcinoid syndrome or Rheumatic fever.

Rheumatic Fever

A specific complication of group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal infection (pharyngitis) involving systemic damage to connective tissue, the heart, and the brain.

Infective Endocarditis

An infectious process on the endocardium that predominantly affects the valves, categorized into acute, subacute, and chronic forms.

Myocarditis

An inflammatory process localized in the myocardium, frequently caused by viruses such as Coxsackie A and B, Echovirus, or SARS-CoV-2.

Cardiac Tamponade

Impaired diastolic function of the heart caused by the pressure of pericardial effusion, resulting in hypotension and muffled heart sounds.

Pulsus Paradoxus

A clinical sign of cardiac tamponade where the systolic blood pressure decreases by more than $10\,mmHg$ during inspiration.

Constrictive Pericarditis

Thickening, fibrosis, and calcification of the pericardium that creates a rigid shell, reducing ventricular filling and causing right heart failure.

Kussmaul's Sign

A paradoxical increase in venous pressure during inspiration, observed in patients with constrictive pericarditis.

Aortic Dissection

A longitudinal tear in the layers of the aortic wall allowing blood to penetrate between the intima and adventitia.

Leriche Syndrome

A chronic occlusive disease affecting the terminal part of the abdominal aorta and its bifurcation, leading to gluteal pain and impotence.

Thromboangiitis Obliterans (Burger's Disease)

A segmental inflammatory disease of small and medium-sized arteries and veins (panarteritis/panphlebitis) involving lymphocytes and giant cells.

Raynaud's Disease

Primary, idiopathic spasm of hand arterioles triggered by cold or emotional stress, typically occurring in younger women.

Virchow’s Triad

The three factors predisposing to deep vein thrombosis: stasis/turbulent flow, endothelial injury, and hypercoagulability/hyperviscosity of blood.

Chronic Venous Insufficiency

A permanent and irreversible local disorder of venous circulation, often resulting from repeated deep vein thrombosis.

Lymphedema

Swelling caused by an accumulation of lymph fluid in the tissues due to disorders of the lymphatic vessels.