Cardiovascular System - Key Points

Cardiovascular System

Structure

  • Composed of the heart and blood vessels:
    • Arteries
    • Capillaries
    • Veins
  • Layers and membranes of the heart:
    • Endocardium: Innermost layer, lines the heart and valves.
    • Myocardium: Muscular layer.
    • Pericardium: Outermost layer, surrounds the heart as the pericardial sac.
      • Secretes pericardial fluid.
      • Pericardial cavity contains serous fluid to reduce friction.

Function

  • Circulates blood and delivers oxygen (O2O_2) and nutrients to cells.
    • Right side: Pulmonary circulation (to lungs for oxygenation).
    • Left side: Systemic circulation (to all body systems).
  • Disposes of waste products.
  • Aids lymphatic system in circulating substances.

Combining Forms

  • angi/o: vessel (usually blood or lymph)
  • aneurysm/o: widened blood vessel
  • aort/o: aorta
  • arteri/o: artery
  • arteriol/o: arteriole
  • ather/o: fatty plaque
  • atri/o: atrium
  • cardio, coron/o: heart
  • phleb/o, ven/o: vein
  • thromb/o: blood clot
  • varic/o: dilated vein
  • vas/o: vessel; vas deferens; duct

Suffixes

  • -cardia: heart condition
  • -gram: record, writing
  • -graph: instrument for recording
  • -megaly: enlargement
  • -graphy: process of recording
  • -oma: tumor
  • -stenosis: narrowing, stricture
  • -ectasis: dilation, expansion

Medical Terms

  • Tachycardia: rapid heart rate
  • Aneurysmorrhaphy: suture of a widened blood vessel
  • Arteriolitis: inflammation of an arteriole
  • Atriar: pertaining to the atrium
  • Atherosclerosis: abnormal condition of fatty plaque hardening
  • Thrombolysis: destruction or loosening of a thrombus
  • Atheroma: tumor of fatty plaque
  • Arteriostenosis: narrowing or stricture of an artery
  • Cardiologist: medical specialist in heart (disease)
  • Cardiomegaly: enlargement of the heart
  • Electrocardiography: process of recording the electrical activity of the heart
  • Thrombectomy: excision of an embolus
  • Electrocardiogram record of electrical (activity) of the heart
  • Venography, phlebography process of recording (radiography) blood flow in a vein
  • Aortography process of recording (radiography) blood flow in the aorta
  • Arteriosclerosis abnormal condition of arterial (walls) hardening
  • Angiography process of recording (radiography) blood flow in vessels (after injection of a contrast dye)

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

  • Signs/Symptoms: Thrombus formation, blocked blood flow, pain (sometimes asymptomatic).
  • Treatment:
    • Anticoagulants: Prevent future thrombi formation.
    • Thrombolytics: Dissolve blood clots.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

  • Signs/Symptoms: Angina, shortness of breath (SOB), plaque accumulation, arterial hardening, blood clot formation.
  • Risk Factors: Smoking, hypertension, stress, inactivity, family history, diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol.
  • Treatment:
    • Lifestyle changes: smoking cessation, diet, exercise, weight/stress reduction.
    • Pharmacological treatment: control angina, hypertension, triglyceride levels, and blood clots.
    • Surgical intervention: Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PCTA).

Aneurysm

  • Signs/Symptoms: Local dilation caused by weakening of vessel walls.
    • May lead to thrombus formation, hemorrhage, or ischemia.
    • Types: Fusiform, Saccular, Dissecting.
    • Symptoms may include weakness, sweating, tachycardia, and hypotension.
  • Treatment: Surgical, depending on size, location, and rupture risk.

Varicose Veins

  • Signs/Symptoms: Defective valves causing blood buildup, leading to varicosities.
    • Swollen, tortuous, knotted veins, usually in lower legs, fatigue in the legs.
  • Treatment:
    • Compression stockings.
    • Sclerotherapy: Injection to close veins.
    • Laser treatments: Close off varicose veins.

Vocabulary

  • Arrhythmia: Irregular heartbeat.
  • Bruit: Soft blowing sound due to turbulent blood flow.
  • Heart Block: Interference with electrical impulses.
  • Heart Failure (HF): Inability to circulate blood effectively.
  • Hypertension: Elevated blood pressure (>140/90 mmHg).
  • Ischemia: Inadequate oxygenated blood supply.

Diagnostic Procedures

  • Cardiac Catheterization: Catheter guided into the heart.
  • Cardiac Enzymes: Measures enzyme levels during MI.
  • Holter Monitor: Records ECG for 24 hours.
  • Stress Test: Assesses heart's response to exertion.
  • Doppler Ultrasonography (US): Assesses blood flow.
  • Troponin I: Blood test for proteins released when myocardial cells die.
  • EKG, ECG: Recording of electrical activity.

Medical and Surgical Procedures

  • Automatic Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (AICD): Device for serious arrhythmia.
  • Angioplasty: Reopens narrowed blood vessels.
  • Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG): Graft to circumvent artery obstruction.
  • Valvuloplasty: Surgical repair/replacement of a valve.

Pharmacology

  • Beta Blockers: Decrease heart rate, dilate arteries by blocking beta receptors.
  • Nitrates: Treat angina, dilate veins/arteries to decrease blood pressure.
  • Statins: Lower cholesterol by reducing production in the liver.
  • Thrombolytics: Lyse blood clots; used in MI and ischemic stroke.