Cardiovascular Emergency Management and Principles

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers essential concepts, medications, and procedural steps for managing cardiac emergencies and heart failure based on clinical lecture notes.

Synchronization

The timing of a medical shock to avoid delivering it on the T wave, which reduces the risk of inducing asystole.

Synchronized Cardioversion

A timed shock therapy used for unstable patients with a pulse who are experiencing tachyarrhythmias, often starting at $50\,J$ for narrow complexes.

Defibrillation

An unsynchronized high-energy shock, typically between $120-200\,J$, used for pulseless rhythms such as Ventricular Fibrillation (VF) or pulseless Ventricular Tachycardia (VT).

Vagal Maneuvers

Techniques such as "bearing down" used to increase vagal tone and terminate Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT).

Adenosine

A medication administered via rapid IV push in a sequence of $6\,mg$ followed by $12\,mg$ if needed, used for the management of SVT.

Epinephrine

A medication given at a dose of $1\,mg$ IV/IO every $3-5\,minutes$ during cardiac arrest management.

Amiodarone

An antiarrhythmic medication used for refractory VF/VT, with an initial dose of $300\,mg$ followed by a $150\,mg$ dose.

H's and T's

A mnemonic for reversible causes to consider during cardiac arrest, including hypoxia, hypovolemia, hypokalemia, and toxins.

Ejection Fraction (EF)

The percentage of blood the left ventricle pumps out with each beat; normal is $60-70\%$, while $< 40\%$ indicates reduced function.

Pulmonary Edema

Fluid accumulation in the alveolar spaces, often secondary to left-sided heart failure and managed with diuretics and oxygen.

Third-spacing

The movement of fluid into interstitial spaces, which complicates volume management and can worsen renal perfusion.

ACE Inhibitors

Medications that reduce afterload to benefit heart failure patients, though they may cause lowered blood pressure and tachycardia.

Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT)

A narrow complex tachyarrhythmia originating above the ventricles, managed with vagal maneuvers or adenosine.

Ventricular Tachycardia (VT)

A wide complex rhythm that may present with or without a pulse; if unstable with a pulse, it requires synchronized cardioversion.

Loop Diuretics

Medications such as furosemide (Lasix) and bumetanide (Bumex) used for pulmonary management in heart failure.