Ischemic Heart Disease and Conduction Disorders

These flashcards cover vocabulary and key concepts related to ischemic heart disease and conduction disorders, assisting students in their study and exam preparation.

Myocardial Infarction (MI)

Prolonged ischemia leading to cell death.

Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)

Includes myocardial infarction and/or unstable angina due to ischemia.

Epicardium

Outer tissue layer of the heart.

Myocardium

Muscle tissue layer of the heart responsible for contraction.

Endocardium

Inner lining of the heart chambers.

Coronary Circulation

Blood flow to the heart muscle through the right and left coronary arteries.

Right Coronary Artery

Supplies blood to the right atrium and right ventricle.

Left Coronary Artery

Includes branches such as the left anterior descending artery.

Sinoatrial Node (SA Node)

The natural pacemaker of the heart.

Atrioventricular Node (AV Node)

Conducts electrical impulses from atria to ventricles.

Bundle of His

Pathway for electrical signals from the AV node to the ventricles.

Cardiac Action Potential

The electrical impulse that stimulates the heart muscle to contract.

Absolute Refractory Period

Time during which cardiac cells cannot be re-stimulated.

Dysrhythmias

Disruption of the normal electrical activity of the heart.

Unstable Angina

Warning sign of an impending myocardial infarction.

ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI)

A type of heart attack that involves full blockage of coronary arteries.

Non-ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI)

A type of heart attack that involves partial blockage of coronary arteries.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

Narrowing or blockage of coronary arteries usually caused by atherosclerosis.

Myocardial Ischemia

Condition characterized by insufficient blood flow to the heart muscle.

Stable Angina Pectoris

Predictable chest pain during physical exertion due to CAD.

Levine’s Sign

Clenched fist over the sternum indicating heart pain.

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI)

Minimally invasive procedure to open blocked coronary arteries.

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG)

Surgical procedure to create a new route for blood flow around blocked arteries.

Cardiac Biomarkers

Substances released into the blood when the heart is damaged.

CPK-MB

Cardiac enzyme that rises after myocardial infarction.

Troponin

A protein released during heart muscle injury; indicator of myocardial infarction.

Reperfusion Injury

Damage to the heart that occurs when blood supply is restored after ischemia.

Ventricular Fibrillation

Life-threatening heart rhythm that results in uncoordinated contraction.

Atrial Fibrillation

Irregular and often rapid heart rate that can lead to blood clots.

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

Test that measures the electrical activity of the heart.

P Wave

Represents atrial depolarization in an ECG.

QRS Complex

Represents ventricular depolarization in an ECG.

T Wave

Represents ventricular repolarization in an ECG.

Cardiac Enzymes

Markers used to detect heart muscle damage.

Heart Failure

Condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.

Thromboembolism

Formation of a blood clot that obstructs a blood vessel.

Risk Factors for CAD

Factors such as smoking, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia that increase the likelihood of coronary artery disease.

Nitrates

Drugs used to dilate blood vessels and reduce the workload on the heart.

Beta Blockers

Medications that reduce heart rate and myocardial oxygen demand.

Calcium Channel Blockers

Drugs that prevent calcium from entering heart and blood vessel cells.

ACE Inhibitors

Medications that help relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure.

Ventricular Tachycardia

Rapid heart rate originating from the ventricles.

Premature Ventricular Contraction (PVC)

Extra heartbeats originating from the ventricles.

Ectopic Pacemaker

An abnormal pacemaker occurring outside the normal conduction pathway.

Ischemic Heart Disease

Also known as coronary artery disease, characterized by reduced blood supply to the heart.

Pulmonary Circuit

Carries deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs.

Systemic Circuit

Delivers oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to the body.

Diastolic Blood Pressure

Pressure in arteries when the heart is at rest between beats.

Systolic Blood Pressure

Pressure in arteries during the contraction of the heart.