Chapter 20 - Cardiac Emergencies

Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)

Blanket term used to represent any symptoms related to the lack of oxygen (ischemia) in the heart muscle (aka cardiac compromise)

ACS without pain is common is ___ patient populations

Older adult, female, and diabetic

S/S of ACS

Pain/pressure/discomfort in chest, jaw, neck, arms, or upper abdomen; difficulty breathing; palpitations; sudden onset of sweating/nausea/vomiting; syncope; anxiety; unusual generalized weakness; abnormal pulse; abnormal BP; grabbing at center of chest (Levine’s sign); pale/gray skin; Acute pulmonary edema; swollen ankles/feet; medical alert jewlery

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

conditions that narrow or block the arteries of the heart

Angina Pectoris

Chest Pain

Occlusion

Blockage, as of an artery, by fatty deposits

Thrombus

Clot formed of blood and plaque attached to the inner wall of an artery or vein

Embolism

Blockage of a vessel by a clot or foreign material brough to the site by the current blood

Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI)

Condition in which a portion of the myocardium dies as a result of an occlusion; often called a heart attack or MI

Dysrhythmia

Disturbance in heart rate and rhythm

Cardiogenic shock

Acute inability of the heart to function properly mechanically, typically results in dramatic drop in BP

Heart failure (HF or CHF)

Failure of the heart to pump blood with normal efficiency

Pedal Edema

Accumulation of fluid in feet or ankles

Pulmonary Edema

Accumulation of fluid in the lungs

S/S of Right sided HF

Fluid buildup/Swelling in the abdomen, swelling in the feet/ankles

S/S of Left Sided HF

Pulmonary Edema, crackles in lungs

Aneurysm

Dilation, or ballooning, of a weakened section of the wall of an artery