CV-BC key terms

An extra low-pitched heart sound heard just after S2 in early diastole, best auscultated at the apex with the bell. In adults it often reflects rapid ventricular filling against a stiff or volume-overloaded ventricle.

An exaggerated fall in systolic blood pressure of more than about 10 mm Hg during inspiration, detected with a blood pressure cuff. It suggests impaired cardiac filling, as in tamponade or severe respiratory disease.

An estimate of right-heart filling pressure obtained by observing the height of the internal jugular vein pulsation with the patient reclined at roughly 30 to 45 degrees. It is reported in centimeters above the sternal angle.

A hormone released by stretched ventricular muscle whose blood level rises in heart failure and tracks with severity. Natriuretic peptide testing helps separate cardiac from noncardiac causes of shortness of breath.

A protein released from injured heart muscle cells. Elevated blood levels indicate myocardial injury and are the preferred biomarker for diagnosing acute myocardial infarction.

The percentage of blood in the left ventricle that is pumped out with each beat. Measured by echocardiography, it classifies heart failure and guides medication and device decisions.

Bedside electrocardiographic surveillance that alarms on ST-segment changes, detecting silent ischemia or reocclusion early in patients with acute coronary syndrome or after revascularization.

Heart failure with a left ventricular ejection fraction of 40 percent or less, reflecting weakened pumping ability. It is treated with guideline-directed medication combinations and may require device therapy.

Sudden or gradual worsening of heart failure symptoms, typically with dyspnea, edema, and rapid weight gain, requiring urgent diuresis and treatment of the precipitating cause.

An irregularly irregular atrial rhythm that raises stroke risk by allowing blood to pool in the left atrium. Management centers on rate or rhythm control plus anticoagulation based on stroke risk.

A complete coronary occlusion causing full-thickness myocardial injury and ST elevation on the electrocardiogram. It requires emergency reperfusion by percutaneous coronary intervention or fibrinolysis within time targets.

Inadequate tissue perfusion caused by pump failure, marked by hypotension, cool extremities, low urine output, and rising lactate. It is a medical emergency requiring inotropic support and revascularization when the cause is ischemic.

Narrowing of the aortic valve that obstructs left ventricular outflow. Classic symptoms are exertional angina, syncope, and dyspnea, and severe symptomatic disease warrants valve replacement.

Compression of the heart by accumulated pericardial fluid that impairs filling. Signs include hypotension, muffled heart sounds, distended neck veins, and pulsus paradoxus.

Infection of the endocardial surface or heart valves, usually arising from bacteremia. Diagnosis uses blood cultures and echocardiography, and treatment is prolonged intravenous antibiotics, sometimes with surgery.

The ratio of ankle systolic pressure to brachial systolic pressure measured with a Doppler probe. A value of 0.90 or less suggests peripheral arterial disease, and very low values indicate severe disease.

A tear in the aortic inner lining that lets blood track within the vessel wall. It causes sudden tearing chest or back pain with unequal blood pressures and often needs urgent imaging and surgery.

Atherosclerotic narrowing of arteries supplying the limbs, producing claudication, cool skin, hair loss, and weak pulses. It signals widespread atherosclerosis and substantially raises cardiovascular risk.

A blood clot in a deep vein, usually of the leg, causing unilateral swelling, pain, and warmth. It can travel to the lungs as a pulmonary embolus and is treated with anticoagulation.

Impaired venous return that produces edema, skin hyperpigmentation, and stasis ulcers near the ankles. It is managed with compression therapy, leg elevation, exercise, and careful skin care.

A permanent dilation of the abdominal aorta larger than 3 cm that is often silent until rupture. Care includes surveillance imaging, risk-factor control, and repair when the diameter reaches threshold.

Three conditions that promote clot formation: venous stasis, endothelial injury, and hypercoagulability. Nurses use the triad to identify patients at risk for venous thromboembolism and to target prevention.

A parenteral anticoagulant that enhances antithrombin activity and is monitored with the aPTT or anti-Xa level. Its effect is reversed by protamine sulfate, and platelet counts are watched for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.

A drug that blocks beta-adrenergic receptors, slowing heart rate and lowering blood pressure. Carvedilol, metoprolol succinate, and bisoprolol reduce mortality in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

A medication that blocks conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, reducing vasoconstriction and aldosterone release. It improves survival in heart failure and left ventricular dysfunction; cough and hyperkalemia are common effects.

A potent diuretic acting on the loop of Henle to increase sodium and water excretion. Furosemide relieves congestion in heart failure and requires monitoring of potassium, kidney function, and weight.

A drug that inhibits HMG-CoA reductase, lowering LDL cholesterol and reducing cardiovascular events. Muscle complaints and liver enzyme elevation are the main effects to monitor.

A broad-spectrum antiarrhythmic used for ventricular arrhythmias and atrial fibrillation. Long-term therapy requires monitoring for thyroid, liver, lung, and eye toxicity.

A catheter-based procedure that opens narrowed coronary arteries using balloon inflation, usually followed by stent placement. Patients receive antiplatelet therapy and are watched for bleeding and restenosis.

A device that continuously monitors the heart rhythm and delivers pacing or shocks to stop life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. It is offered to patients at high risk for sudden cardiac death.

A supervised program of exercise training, education, and risk-factor counseling after a cardiac event. It improves functional capacity, quality of life, and survival and is recommended for eligible patients.

A teaching method in which the patient explains information back in their own words, allowing the nurse to confirm understanding and correct misunderstandings before discharge.

Weighing the patient at the same time each day on the same scale to detect fluid retention. A gain of two to three pounds in a day or five pounds in a week warrants notifying the provider.

A person's ability to obtain, process, and understand health information to make decisions. Nurses adapt teaching to literacy level using plain language and a limited number of key messages.

A collaborative conversation in which clinician and patient review treatment options and patient values before choosing a plan. It is central to decisions about devices, anticoagulation, and revascularization.

A structured communication format covering Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation. It is used for handoffs and for escalating concerns about a deteriorating cardiac patient.

The interval from hospital arrival to reperfusion by percutaneous coronary intervention in ST-elevation myocardial infarction, with a recommended target of 90 minutes or less.

A team-based, systematic review conducted after a serious safety event that identifies contributing system factors and designs changes to prevent recurrence.

The planned transfer of a patient between settings or providers, including medication reconciliation, follow-up arrangements, and written self-management instructions, to prevent avoidable readmission.

Activation of a specialized team when a patient shows early warning signs of deterioration, such as falling blood pressure or altered mentation, so intervention occurs before cardiac arrest.