Molecular Mechanisms of Disease: Heart Failure and Pharmacogenomic Interventions

These flashcards encompass key vocabulary related to cardiovascular disease, heart failure mechanisms, and pharmacogenomics interventions as covered in the HSS 2305 course.

Cardiovascular System

The system comprising the heart and blood vessels responsible for the circulation of blood and nutrients throughout the body.

Heart Failure

A clinical syndrome that occurs when the heart is unable to pump sufficient blood to meet the body's needs.

Ischemia

A condition characterized by insufficient blood flow to the heart muscle, often leading to tissue damage.

Myocardial Infarction

A blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle, causing tissue death; commonly known as a heart attack.

Atherosclerosis

A disease characterized by the buildup of fatty deposits in the arterial walls, leading to reduced blood flow.

Arrhythmias

Irregular heartbeats caused by problems with the electrical pathways of the heart.

RAAS (Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System)

A hormone system that regulates blood pressure and fluid balance.

MPTP (Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore)

A protein complex in the mitochondria that can open under pathological conditions, leading to cell death.

Creatine Kinase

An enzyme that helps supply energy to muscle cells; often measured to assess heart damage.

Thrombus

A blood clot that forms within a blood vessel and remains attached to the vessel wall.

Embolism

The obstruction of a blood vessel by a traveling clot or foreign material.

Fibrosis

The thickening and stiffening of tissue due to the excessive accumulation of collagen.

Necrosis

The process of cell death caused by injury, toxins, or lack of blood supply.

Autophagy

The process by which cells degrade and recycle cellular components, maintaining homeostasis and survival under stress.

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

A test that records the electrical activity of the heart and can detect heart conditions.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Part of the autonomic nervous system that increases heart rate and force of contraction.

Catecholamines

Hormones produced by the adrenal glands (e.g., adrenaline) that prepare the body for stress responses.

Cytokines

Small proteins released by cells that have a specific effect on the interactions and communications between cells.

Natriuretic Peptides

Hormones released by the heart that help regulate blood pressure and fluid balance.

Coronary Artery Disease

A condition characterized by the narrowing or blockage of coronary arteries, often leading to heart attacks.

Plasma Biomarkers

Biological markers in the blood that indicate disease states, such as heart damage or inflammation.

Vasodilation

The widening of blood vessels, which decreases blood pressure.

Diuretics

Medications that promote urine production to reduce fluid volume in the body.

ACE Inhibitors

Medications that block the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system to lower blood pressure.

Beta Blockers

Drugs that block the effects of epinephrine on the heart, reducing heart rate and blood pressure.

Systolic Dysfunction

Impaired ability of the heart to contract and pump blood effectively.

Diastolic Dysfunction

Impaired ability of the heart to relax and fill with blood.

Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy

The enlargement of heart muscle cells, often in response to increased workload.

Oxidative Stress

An imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body, leading to cellular damage.

Gene Therapy

A technique that modifies a person's genes to treat or prevent disease.

Coronary Angiogram

A medical imaging technique used to visualize the inside of coronary arteries.

Heart Transplantation

A surgical procedure in which a failing heart is replaced with a healthy donor heart.

Metabolic Flexibility

The ability of the body to adapt fuel oxidation to a variety of metabolic situations.

Hypertrophy

Increase in cell size, often as a response to added stress or workload.

Pharmacogenomics

The study of how genes affect a person's response to drugs.

Necrosis Pathways

Biochemical pathways leading to necrosis, including the roles of calcium and reactive oxygen species.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction

Impairment of the mitochondria's ability to produce energy, often associated with heart disease.