Thin, flattened structure; term used to describethe leaf-shaped structures that compose a heart valve

backflow or ejecting of contents through an opening

narrowing of the lumen of a blood vessel that limits blood flow, usually as a result of diseases, medications, or physiological processes

widening of the lumen of a blood vessel caused by the relaxing of the muscles of the vascular walls

state of being sticky or gummy

A solution that has high viscosity is relatively thick & flows slowly.

contains a high concentration of oxygen (oxygeneated) & appears bright red in color.

EXCEPT for that found in the pulmonary artery.

a muscular pump that propels blood to the entire body through a closed vascular system

an enclosed sac around the heart

a serous membrane that lines the 4 chambers of the heart & its valves & is continuous with the endothelium of the arteries & veins

the muscular layer of the heart

the outermost layer of the heart

sinoatrial

SA node

located in the upper portion of the right atrium (RA) & posses its own intrinsic rhythm

commonly known as the pacemaker of the heart

electrocardiogram

ECG

EKG

Graphic line recording that shows the spread of electrical excitation to different parts of the heart using small metal electrodes applied to the chest, arms, & legs

the sequence of those impulse contractions is as follows:

SA node --> AV node --> Bundle of His --> Purkinji Fibers

ECG's help diagnose abnormal heart rhythms & myocardial damage.

Blood Presure

BP

B/P

measures the force of blood against the atrial walls during 2 phases of a heartbeat:

the contraction phase (systole)

the relaxation phase (diastole)

the contration phase of a heartbeat

when the blood is forced out of the heart

Systole produces the maximum force

the relaxation phase of the heartbeat

when the ventricles are filling with blood

produces the weakest force

The umbilical cord contains 2 arteries of deoxygenated blood from the fetus to the placenta.

After oxygenation in the placenta, blood returns to the fetus via the umbilical vein.

This is the only other time arteries do not carry oxygenated blood.

in the pulmonary artery and in fetal circulation

vessel

(usually blood or lymph)

angioplasty - surgical repair of a vessel

vessel

vasculitis - inflamation of (blood) vessels

embolus

(plug)

embolectomy - removal of an embolus

the removal of a clot or other foreign material from a blood vessel.

Most emboli are blood clots (thrombi) that have been transported from a distant vessel by the blood.

vein

phlebotomy - drawing blood

vein

venostasis - standing still of (blood in a ) vein

narrowing, stricture

stenotic - pertaining to a narrowing or stricture

blood clot

thrombectomy - removal of a blood clot

around

pericardial - pertaining to (the area) around the heart

cardiac irregularities

inability of the heart to maintain a normal sinus rhythm, (NSR) possibly including a rapid or slowbeat or "skipping" a beat

A.K.A. dysrhythmia

loss of consciousness

fainting

enlarged, twisted, superficial veins

commonly in lower legs

localized abnormal dilation of a vessel, usually an artery

condition of being stopped or bringing to a stop

Pertaining to the neck

soft blowing sound heard on auscultation, possibly due to vibrations associated with the movement of blood, valvular action, or both

pertaining to the heart

soft blowing sound heard on auscultation, possibly due to vibrations associated with the movement of blood, valvular action, or both

Deep Vein Thrombosis

DVT

blood clot that forms in the deep veins of the body, especially those in the legs or thighs

In DVT, blood clots may break away from the vein & travel in the body. If they lodge in the lung, the condition is called a pulmonary embolism. Pulmonary embolism may be life threatening if a large portion of the lung is damaged.

Ejection Fraction

EF

calculations of how much blood a ventricle can eject with one contractionThe left ventricle (LV) EF averages 50% - 70% in healthy hearts but can be markedly reduced if part of the heart muscle dies, as evident after an MI or in cardiomyopathy or vascular heart disease.

mass of undissolved matter (foreign object, air, gas, tissue, thrombus) circulating in blood or lymphatic channels until it becomes lodged in a vessel

An embolus could be a thrombus, BUT a thrombus is NOT an embolis.

Quivering or spontaneous muscle contractions, especially of the heart, causing ineffectual contractions

Fibrillation is usually corrected with a defibrillator.

local & temporary deficiency of blood supply due to circulatory obstruction

sensation that the heart is not beating normally, possibly including "thumping," "fluttering," "skipped beats," or a pounding feeling in the chest

Although most palpitations are harmless, those caused by arrhythmias may be serious. Medical attention should be sought if palpitations are accompanied by pain, dizziness, overall weakness, or shortness of breath (SOB).

an ECG taken with a small portable recording system capable of storing up to 24 hrs of ECG tracings

Holter monitoring is particularly useful in obtaining a cardiac arrythmia record that would be missed during an ECG of only a few minutes duration.

Technique used to block blood flow to a site by passing a catheter to the area & injecting a synthetic material or medication specially designed to occlude the blood vessel

Embolization may serve to eliminate abnormal communication between an artery & a vein, stop bleeding, or close vessels that are supporting tumor growth.

angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors

ACE Inhibitors

ACEI

lower blood presure by inhibiting the conversion of agotensin I (an inactive enzyme) to angiotensin II (a potent vasoconstrictor).

ACE inhibitors are used to treat hypertension alone or with other agents & aid in the management of heart failure.

Benazepril (Lotensin)

Catopril (capoten)

act on kidneys to increase excercion of water & sodium

Diuretics reduce fluid build-up in the body, including fluid in the lungs, a common syptom of heart failure. Diuretics are also used to treat hypertension.

Furosemide (Lasix)