Key Concepts in Hematology and Cardiology

These flashcards cover essential terms and concepts related to hematological conditions and cardiovascular physiology.

Polycythemia Vera

A condition where the body makes too many red blood cells, opposite of anemia.

Signs and Symptoms of Polycythemia Vera

Blurred/double vision, shortness of breath, headache, itching, flushed skin, tiredness, excessive sweating, and possible enlarged spleen or blood clots.

Thalassemia

A genetic anemia characterized by a defect in hemoglobin, which can be alpha or beta and is autosomal recessive.

Diagnosis of Thalassemia

If a patient's anemia doesn't recover from iron therapy and they have abnormal hemoglobin, thalassemia should be considered.

Von Willebrand Disease

A platelet problem due to a lack of a protein that helps platelets stick together, leading to prolonged bleeding, inherited in an autosomal dominant manner.

Response to Blood Loss

The body utilizes ANP and BNP, hormones that help lower blood pressure and manage fluid balance.

ANP/BNP

Hormones released by the heart in response to high blood pressure to promote vasodilation and decrease fluid volume through the kidneys.

Atrial Fibrillation (A-fib)

An irregular heart rhythm originating from the atria that can increase the risk of ischemic stroke/clot, particularly common in the elderly.

Preload

The amount of stretch in the left ventricle at the end of diastole; decreased by sepsis, hemorrhage, and severe dehydration.

Afterload

The resistance the left ventricle must overcome to pump blood into the aorta, which increases in conditions such as CHF, hypertension, and atherosclerosis.

Contractility

The strength of heart muscle contraction; inadequate preload or excessive afterload can lead to poor cardiac output.