Heart & Blood vessels Flashcards Preview

Pathology > Heart & Blood vessels > Flashcards

Flashcards in Heart & Blood vessels Deck (32)
Loading flashcards...
1
Q

What is heart failure?

A

When the heart is unable to pump blood at a rate required for normal functioning.

2
Q

Clinically, how would you be able to tell if someone is in heart failure?

A

Breathlessness, ankle swelling and crackles in chest.

3
Q

What ejection fraction percentage on an echocardiography indicates heart failure?

A

less than 40%

4
Q

Causes of heart disease

A

Ischaemic heart disease, hypertension, arrhythmias, valvular heart disease, cardiomyopathy and congenital heart disease.

5
Q

Drugs used in the treatment of heart failure

A

ACE inhibitors, B-blockers, loop diuretics

6
Q

What happens if heart valves undergo stenosis?

A

Valve is narrowed and impedes forward flow,

7
Q

What happens is heart valves undergo regurgitation?

A

The valve is leaky and allows reverse flow

8
Q

What are vegetations on heart valves?

A

Abnormal tissue growth on the vale which can cause stenosis or regurgitation.

9
Q

What can cause vegetations on heart valves?

A

Bacteria (endocarditis), Inflammation or clots

10
Q

Valvula heart disease signs and symptoms

A

Breathlessness, ankle swelling, angina, stroke, arrhythmias, cardiac murmurs.

11
Q

What is pericarditis?

A

Infection/inflammation of the pericardium

12
Q

What is myocarditis?

A

Infection/inflammation of the myocardium

13
Q

What is endocarditis?

A

Infection/inflammation of the endocardium

14
Q

Signs and symptoms of endocarditis

A

Fever, weight loss, malaise, swelling in legs, orthopnoea, emboli etc

15
Q

Causes of pericarditis and myocarditis

A

Infection (viral, bacterial, TB, parasitic), uraemia, carcinoma, MI, connective tissue disease, radiation and idiopathic.

16
Q

Signs and symptoms of pericarditis and myocarditis

A

Chest pain and heart failure

17
Q

What is cardiomyopathy?

A

Disease of the heart muscle itself.

18
Q

What are the 3 types of cardiomyopathy and what are main causes of each?

A

Dilated caused by alcohol.
Hypertrophic caused by genetics.
Restrictive caused by amyloidosis.

19
Q

Causes of hypertension

A

Renal problems, endocrine problems, physical obstruction and neurogenic (stress)

20
Q

What is malignant hypertension?

A

When there is a sudden rapid rise in BP. It is a medical emergency that can be a sign for organ damage (eyes, brain, kidneys, heart)

21
Q

Organs affected by hypertension?

A

Blood vessels, heart, kidneys, eyes & brain.

22
Q

What is an aneurysm?

A

Localised abnormal dilation of a blood vessel

23
Q

Causes of aneurysm

A

Weakened vessel walls, pressure, congenital, atheroma & infection

24
Q

Where would you find an atherosclerotic aneurysm?

A

Lower abdominal aorta & iliac arteries

25
Q

Where would you find an aortic dissection aneurysm?

A

Aorta and major branches

26
Q

What are some of the complications of diabetic vascular disease?

A

Gangrene, renal failure, peripheral neuropathy and blindness

27
Q

What is DVT?

A

When normal venous return is impeded, predisposes t thrombosis.

28
Q

What are the causes of DVT?

A

Immobility, malignancy, pregnancy & childbirth, oestrogens and haematological disorders.

29
Q

What are the symptoms of pulmonary embolism?

A

Chest pain, breathlessness, calf swelling, syncope/collapse and sudden death.

30
Q

What are varicose veins? What are the causes?

A

Tortuous and distended veins. Caused by incompetent valves in legs and impaired venous return

31
Q

What is congenital heart disease?

A

When there is a hole in the heart in babies between the left and right sides.

32
Q

What percentage of babies born with congenital heart disease die in infancy?

A

30%