Alterations in Cardiac Function – Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing essential terms and definitions on coronary, valvular, myocardial, pericardial, and congenital heart disorders covered in the lecture.

Atherosclerosis

Build-up of lipid-rich plaques in arterial walls; primary cause of coronary heart disease.

Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)

Cardiac condition caused mainly by atherosclerotic narrowing of coronary arteries.

Coronary Vasospasm

Sudden constriction of a coronary artery that can provoke myocardial ischemia.

Myocardial Ischemia

State in which myocardial oxygen demand exceeds supply, usually from reduced coronary flow.

Myocardial Infarction (MI)

Irreversible necrosis of heart muscle due to prolonged or total interruption of coronary blood flow.

Stable Angina

Predictable chest pain triggered by increased myocardial workload and relieved by rest or nitroglycerin.

Unstable Angina

Chest pain at rest or with minimal exertion; part of acute coronary syndrome without persistent ST elevation.

Vasospastic (Prinzmetal) Angina

Anginal pain caused by coronary artery spasm; responds well to vasodilators.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Unexpected death from cardiac causes within one hour of symptom onset.

Chronic Ischemic Cardiomyopathy

Progressive heart failure resulting from long-term ischemic myocardial damage.

ST-Segment Elevation

ECG sign indicating ongoing ischemic injury; prompt reperfusion can salvage myocardium.

CK-MB

Cardiac isoenzyme of creatine kinase; elevated blood levels signal myocardial necrosis.

Troponin I

Cardiac-specific protein; rise in serum indicates irreversible myocardial injury.

Troponin T

Cardiac troponin subtype used with Troponin I to detect myocardial infarction.

Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP)

Neurohormone released in heart failure; marker of neurohormonal activation after MI.

C-Reactive Protein (CRP)

Inflammation biomarker elevated in acute MI and atherosclerotic disease.

Mitral Stenosis

Narrowing of mitral valve causing left atrial–left ventricular pressure gradient during diastole.

Mitral Regurgitation

Backflow of blood from left ventricle to left atrium during systole.

Mitral Valve Prolapse

Ballooning of mitral leaflets into left atrium during ventricular systole.

Aortic Stenosis

Calcific narrowing of aortic valve cusps; manifests with syncope, faint pulses, and low systolic pressure.

Aortic Regurgitation

Incompetent aortic valve allows diastolic backflow into left ventricle; causes wide pulse pressure.

Pansystolic Murmur

High-pitched blowing sound of mitral regurgitation heard throughout systole.

Crescendo-Decrescendo Murmur

Systolic murmur of aortic stenosis that increases then decreases in intensity.

Rheumatic Heart Disease

Immune-mediated valvular damage following group A β-hemolytic streptococcal infection.

Infective Endocarditis

Microbial invasion of endocardial surfaces forming fibrin-laden vegetations.

Vegetations

Masses of microorganisms and fibrin that adhere to valves in infective endocarditis.

Myocarditis

Inflammatory destruction of heart muscle, often viral, causing ventricular dilation or dysfunction.

Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Cardiac failure with dilation of one or both ventricles and impaired systolic function.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Thickened hypercontractile ventricular muscle mass leading to diastolic dysfunction.

Restrictive Cardiomyopathy

Fibrotic, stiff ventricle that impairs diastolic filling while systolic function is often preserved.

Pericardial Effusion

Accumulation of serous, blood, or purulent fluid within the pericardial sac.

Cardiac Tamponade

Life-threatening compression of heart by effusion; marked by hypotension, distended neck veins, muffled heart sounds.

Acute Pericarditis

Sudden inflammation of pericardium that usually resolves within two weeks.

Constrictive Pericarditis

Chronic fibrotic scarring of pericardium restricting cardiac filling and causing exercise intolerance.

Shunt (Congenital Heart Disease)

Abnormal pathway allowing blood flow between heart chambers or vessels.

Obstruction (Congenital)

Anatomic narrowing that impedes forward blood flow in the heart or great vessels.

Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)

Opening in atrial septum permitting left-to-right shunt; may lead to pulmonary hypertension over time.

Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)

Hole in ventricular septum causing left-to-right shunt and potential pulmonary hypertension.

Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)

Persistent fetal channel between aorta and pulmonary artery after birth.

Coarctation of the Aorta

Congenital narrowing of aortic lumen leading to upper-body hypertension and lower-body hypoperfusion.

Pulmonary Stenosis

Narrowed pulmonary valve or outflow tract; impedes blood flow from right ventricle.

Tetralogy of Fallot

Cyanotic defect combining VSD, pulmonary stenosis, overriding aorta, and right ventricular hypertrophy.

Transposition of the Great Arteries

Cyanotic defect where aorta and pulmonary artery are switched at their origins.

Truncus Arteriosus

Single arterial trunk arising from heart, supplying systemic, pulmonary, and coronary circulation.

Tricuspid Atresia

Absence of tricuspid valve resulting in no direct right atrial to right ventricular connection.

Foramen Ovale

Fetal atrial opening that may persist as an atrial septal defect if not closed postnatally.

Pulmonary Hypertension

Elevated pressure in pulmonary circulation; can result from long-standing left-to-right shunts.