Study Stack - Cardio Master Notes Table Review

Anastomosis

The communication or connection between two or more vessels.

Collateral Circulation

The communication and connection between one or more vessels providing alternative pathways for blood flow.

Poiseuille's Law

States that blood flow through a vessel is directly proportional to the radius of the vessel to the fourth power.

Chordae Tendineae

Fibrous cords that anchor the leaflets of the bicuspid (mitral) and tricuspid valves.

Semi-lunar Valves

Refers specifically to the Aortic valve and the Pulmonic valve.

Pectinate Muscles

Comb-like parallel ridges of muscle found in the anterior part of the right atrium.

Foramen Ovale

A hole in the atrial septum that serves as part of the fetal blood circulation.

Diastole

The first phase of the cardiac cycle where the heart relaxes and the ventricles fill with blood.

Systole

The second phase where the myocardium contracts and the heart pumps blood.

Ejection Fraction (EF)

The percentage of blood pumped from the ventricles compared to the total amount remaining at the end of diastole.

Preload

The volume or pressure of blood in the ventricles at the end of diastole.

Afterload

The resistance the heart must pump against to open the aortic valve.

Contractility

The ability of muscle cells to shorten, primarily influenced by Calcium.

Stroke Volume (SV)

The amount of blood pumped out in one contraction, typically between 70 mL and 100 mL.

Cardiac Output (CO)

The volume of blood pumped out in one minute, calculated as SV times HR.

Blood Pressure (BP) Equation

BP = HR × SV × Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR).

Starling Law of the Heart

The more the myocardium is stretched, the more forceful the subsequent contraction will be.

Chronotropy

Refers to cardiac heart rate and the speed of electrical impulses from the SA node.

Inotropy

Refers to the force of myocardial contraction.

Dromotropy

Refers to the conduction velocity or speed of electrical impulses traveling through conduction pathways.

ANP (Atrial Natriuretic Peptides)

Manufactured, stored, and released by atrial muscle cells in response to atrial distention.

BNP (Brain Natriuretic Peptide)

Secreted by the ventricles in response to excessive stretching of the ventricular myocytes.

Resting Potential

The electrical state of cardiac cells at -90 mV.

Action Potential Threshold

The electrical threshold for cardiac cells at -85 mV.

Phase 0 of Action Potential

Depolarization; caused by fast Sodium channels opening.

Phase 2 of Action Potential

Calcium enters the cell.

Phase 3 of Action Potential

Repolarization; caused by the efflux of Potassium.

Phase 4 of Action Potential

The active transport of sodium and potassium back to resting locations.

P Wave

A wave on the ECG that is nice and round, indicating atrial depolarization.

PRI (P-R Interval)

Duration between 0.12 and 0.20 seconds, indicating impulse duration at the AV node.

QRS Complex

Duration between 0.04 and 0.12 seconds on the ECG, indicating ventricular depolarization.

T Wave

Represents ventricular repolarization.

LAD (Left Anterior Descending)

Coronary artery that feeds the anterior wall of the left ventricle.

RCA (Right Coronary Artery)

Coronary artery that feeds the inferior wall of the heart.

LCX (Left Circumflex)

Coronary artery that feeds the left lateral wall.

Trauma Triage Criteria

Standards established by medical direction to determine urgent patient transport.

Level 2 Facility

A trauma center with resources for common emergencies, maintaining 24/7 surgical capability.

Class 1 Hemorrhage

Initial 15% loss (750 mL).

Class 2 Hemorrhage

Compensated 15-30% loss (750-1500 mL), showing signs of anxiety and cool skin.

Class 3 Hemorrhage

Decompensated 30-40% loss (1500-2000 mL).

Class 4 Hemorrhage

Irreversible loss over 40% (>2000 mL).

Capacitance System

Refers to the veins in the circulatory system.

Coagulopathy

A condition where the blood's ability to clot is impaired.

Beck's Triad

Indicates Pericardial Tamponade, consisting of distended jugular veins, muffled heart sounds, and decreased arterial BP.

Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP)

The correct measurement for peripheral vascular resistance.

CUPS Acronym

Critical, Unstable, Potentially Unstable, Stable classifications in patient assessment.

Waddell's Triad

Injuries related to trauma, including ankle, abdominal/chest, head, and pelvis/femur injuries.

Crush Syndrome

Occurs when a body part is trapped for longer than 4 hours.

Rhabdomyolysis

A condition leading to elevated potassium levels (Hyperkalemia).

Hyperkalemia S&S

Symptoms include peaked T waves on ECG, pain, and muscle dysfunction.

Calcium Chloride

First-line medication for suspected hyperkalemia.

Compartment Syndrome

Condition commonly affecting the distal leg and presenting with the 6 P's: Pain, Paresthesia, Pallor, Paralysis, Pulselessness, Poikilothermia.

Sinus Arrest

SA node failure causing multiple dropped beats with an irregular cadence.

Sinus Pause

SA node failure resulting in only one dropped beat.

Sinus Block

Impulse failure at the SA node causing multiple drops but regular cadence when resolved.