CNA Cardiovascular Nursing (CCN(C)) key terms

Visible bulging of the neck veins when a person lies at about 30 to 45 degrees; it reflects raised right atrial pressure and is a bedside clue to fluid overload or right heart failure.

The average pressure in the arteries across one cardiac cycle, estimated as diastolic pressure plus one third of the pulse pressure; organs need roughly 65 mmHg or more to be perfused adequately.

Pressure measured with a balloon-tipped pulmonary artery catheter when the balloon is inflated; it estimates left atrial filling pressure and helps distinguish cardiogenic from non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema.

An exaggerated fall in systolic blood pressure during inspiration, more than about 10 mmHg; it suggests cardiac tamponade or severe obstructive lung disease and is detected with a manual blood pressure cuff.

A rapid, irregular atrial rhythm with disorganized electrical activity and no clear P waves on the ECG; it raises stroke risk and often needs rate control plus anticoagulation.

A fast rhythm originating in the ventricles, usually with wide QRS complexes; sustained ventricular tachycardia with poor perfusion needs immediate synchronized cardioversion, while pulseless ventricular tachycardia requires defibrillation.

Total failure of atrial impulses to reach the ventricles, so the atria and ventricles beat independently; the resulting slow ventricular rate can cause syncope and usually requires pacing.

The heart-rate-corrected QT interval on the ECG; when prolonged it signals delayed ventricular repolarization and a higher risk of torsades de pointes, so culprit drugs are reviewed and electrolytes corrected.

A cardiac muscle protein released into the blood when heart muscle is injured; serial high-sensitivity measurements showing a rising or falling pattern support the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction and prompt urgent treatment.

An acute coronary occlusion that produces ST elevation on the ECG with ongoing myocardial injury; it is a time-critical emergency treated with immediate reperfusion to limit infarct size and preserve heart muscle.

Mechanical reopening of a blocked coronary artery with balloon inflation and usually a stent, used as the preferred reperfusion strategy for ST-elevation myocardial infarction when it can be delivered promptly by an experienced team.

A clinical syndrome of congestion or low output caused by impaired ventricular contraction when the ejection fraction is about 40 percent or less; guideline-directed drug therapy improves survival and quality of life.

The percentage of blood in the left ventricle that is pumped out with each heartbeat; it is measured by echocardiography and classifies heart failure as reduced, mildly reduced, or preserved.

A fragment released into the blood when heart muscle is stretched; a high level supports the diagnosis of heart failure and helps track congestion, though age, kidney function, and body weight affect the result.

Inadequate tissue perfusion caused by pump failure, marked by low blood pressure, cool clammy skin, altered mentation, and rising lactate despite adequate filling; it requires vasoactive drugs and urgent treatment of the cause.

Narrowing of the aortic valve that obstructs blood flow out of the left ventricle; classic symptoms are exertional chest pain, syncope, and breathlessness, and severe symptomatic disease is treated by valve replacement.

Backflow of blood from the left ventricle into the left atrium because the mitral valve does not close completely; the resulting volume overload can lead to heart failure and pulmonary congestion.

A prosthetic valve made of durable synthetic materials; it requires lifelong warfarin anticoagulation titrated to a target INR, and patients need teaching about bleeding precautions and consistent monitoring.

A tear in the inner lining of the aorta that lets blood track within the vessel wall; it causes sudden tearing chest or back pain with unequal blood pressures and is a hypertensive emergency needing urgent surgery or stenting.

A permanent dilation of the abdominal aorta that is often silent until it ruptures; large or rapidly growing aneurysms are repaired electively, while rupture causes shock and demands immediate surgery.

Clot formation in a deep vein, most often in the leg, causing unilateral swelling, pain, and warmth; the clot can embolize to the lungs, so anticoagulation and early mobility are essential.

Narrowing of limb arteries, usually by atherosclerosis, producing claudication, cool hairless skin, and weak pulses; a low ankle-brachial index supports the diagnosis and exercise plus risk-factor control helps symptoms.

Combined aspirin plus a P2Y12 inhibitor such as clopidogrel or ticagrelor, prescribed after coronary stenting to prevent stent thrombosis; it must never be stopped early without cardiology approval because that risks a heart attack.

A standardized laboratory value reporting how long blood takes to clot compared with normal plasma, used to titrate warfarin; a target of about 2 to 3 balances clot prevention against bleeding risk.

An immune reaction to heparin that lowers the platelet count and paradoxically causes new clots rather than bleeding; all heparin must be stopped immediately and a different anticoagulant started.

A long-acting antiarrhythmic used for ventricular arrhythmias and atrial fibrillation; it can slow the heart, prolong the QT interval, and damage the thyroid, liver, and lungs, so regular monitoring is essential.

A combination of sacubitril and valsartan that often replaces an ACE inhibitor or ARB in reduced-ejection-fraction heart failure; it lowers mortality but needs a washout period when switching and careful blood pressure and potassium monitoring.

A drug that reduces cholesterol production in the liver and stabilizes atherosclerotic plaque; it is a cornerstone of prevention after myocardial infarction, and patients should report unexplained muscle pain or weakness.

A catheter procedure that destroys a small area of heart tissue responsible for an arrhythmia; it can cure several supraventricular tachycardias, and afterwards nurses monitor the rhythm and the catheter access site.

A small implanted device that continuously monitors the heart and delivers pacing or shocks to terminate dangerous ventricular rhythms; it prevents sudden cardiac death but does not treat the underlying heart failure.

Open-heart surgery that uses a vein or artery graft to carry blood around blocked coronary arteries; postoperative nursing focuses on hemodynamic stability, mediastinal drainage, pain control, and early mobility.

Fluid collecting in the pericardial sac compresses the heart and impairs filling; falling blood pressure, rising central venous pressure, muffled heart sounds, and pulsus paradoxus call for urgent drainage.

A structured program of supervised exercise, risk-factor education, and psychosocial support offered after a cardiac event or procedure; it improves functional capacity and survival, and every eligible patient should be referred.

A communication method in which the patient explains information back in their own words; it reveals misunderstandings so the nurse can re-teach, making it a core technique for safe self-management education.

A collaborative conversation style that helps patients find their own reasons to change, using open questions, reflection, and affirmation instead of advice giving; it supports smoking cessation, adherence, and lifestyle change.

The set of skills a person needs to find, understand, and use health information when making decisions; low health literacy is common and calls for plain language, small chunks, and checking understanding.

A structured handoff and escalation tool covering situation, background, assessment, and recommendation; it makes reports about deteriorating cardiac patients clearer and reduces omission of critical information.

A workplace approach that responds to human error with support and learning while still holding people accountable for reckless choices; it encourages staff to report near misses and safety concerns without fear.

Permission given by a competent patient after receiving and understanding information about a procedure's purpose, risks, benefits, and alternatives; the nurse verifies understanding and witnesses the signature rather than obtaining consent.