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Chapter 5
The Cardiovascular System
60
Medical
Undergraduate 2
09/27/2011

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Term
ACE inhibitor
Definition

(Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme)

Blocks the action of the enzyme that causes the blood vessels to contract resulting in hypertension. When this enzyme is blocked, the blood vessels are able to dilate, and this reduces the blood pressure

Term
anemia
Definition
Lower than normal number of erythrocytes in the blood
Term
aneurysm
Definition
a localized weak spot, or balloon-like enlargement, of the wall of an artery
Term
angina
Definition

AKA "angina pectoris"

A condition of episodes of severe chest pain due to inadequate blood flow to the myocardium

Term
angioplasty
Definition

AKA "balloon angioplasty"

Procedure in which a small balloon on the end of a catheter is used to open a partially blocked coronary artery by flattening the plaque deposit and stretching the lumen

Term
anticoagulant
Definition
slows coagulation and prevents new clots from forming
Term
aplastic anemia
Definition
Characterized by an absence of all formed blood elements caused by the failure of blood cell production in the bone marrow
Term
arrhythmia
Definition
abnormality, or loss of the normal rhythm, of the heartbeat
Term
atherectomy
Definition
the surgical removal of plaque buildup from the interior of an artery
Term
atheroma
Definition
a characteristic of atherosclerosis, is a deposit of plaque on or within the arterial wall
Term
atherosclerosis
Definition
hardening and narrowing of the arteries caused by a buildup of cholesterol plaque on the interior walls of the arteries
Term
atrial fibrilation
Definition

"A fib" occurs when the normal rhythmic contractions of the atria are replaced by rapid irregular twitching of the muscular heart wall

Causes an irregular and quivering action of the atria

Term
automated external defibrillator
Definition
(AED) designed for use by nonprofessionals in emergency situations when defibrillation is required 
Term
beta-blocker
Definition
reduces the workload of the heart by slowing the rate of the heart beat
Term
blood dyscrasia
Definition
any pathologic condition of the cellular elements of the blood
Term
bradycardia
Definition
an abnormally slow resting heart rate
Term
cardiac arrest
Definition
an event in which the heart abruptly stops or develops a very abnormal arrhythmia that prevents it from pumping blood
Term
cardiac catheterization
Definition
diagnostic procedure in which a catheter is passed into a vein or artery and then guided into the heart
Term
cardiomyopathy
Definition
term used to describe all diseases of the heart muscle
Term
carotid endarterectomy
Definition
surgical removal of the lining of a portion of a clogged carotid artery leading to the brain
Term
cholesterol
Definition

a fatty substance that travels through the blood and is found in all parts of the body

Aids in the production of cell membranes, some hormones, and vitamin D

 

Term
chronic venous insufficiency
Definition
Condition in which venous circulation is inadequate due to partial vein blockage or leakage of venous valves
Term
coronary thrombosis
Definition
damage to the heart muscle caused by a thrombus blocking a coronary artery
Term
defibrillation
Definition

AKA "cardioversion"

the use of electrical shock to restore the heart's normal rhythm

Term
diuretic
Definition
administered to stimulate the kidneys to increase the secretion of urine to rid the body of excess sodium and water
Term
electrocardiogram
Definition
a record of the electrical activity of the myocardium
Term
embolism
Definition
the sudden blockage of a blood vessel by an embolus
Term
embolus
Definition
foreign object, such as a blood clot, quantity of air or gas, or a bit of tissue or tumor that is circulating in the blood
Term
endocarditis
Definition
an inflammation of the inner lining of the heart
Term
erythrocytes
Definition

AKA "red blood cells (RBCs)"

Mature red blood cells produced by red bone marrow

Primary role is to transport oxygen to the tissues

Term
hemoglobin
Definition
Iron-containing pigment of the erythrocytes, carries oxygen in RBCs
Term
hemolytic anemia
Definition
a condition of an inadequate number of circulating RBCs due to the premature destruction of RBCs by the spleen
Term
hemostasis
Definition

to stop or control bleeding


Could be accomplished by the formation of a blood clot by the body or through the external application of pressure to block the flow of blood

Term
ischemic heart disease
Definition
a group of cardiac disabilities resulting from an insufficient supply of oxygenated blood to the heart
Term
leukemia
Definition
type of cancer characterized by a progressive increase in the number of abnormal leukocytes(WBCs) found in blood forming tissues, other organs, and in the circulating blood
Term
leukocytes
Definition

AKA "white blood cells (WBCs)"

blood cells involved in defending the body against infective organisms and foreign substances

Term
leukopenia
Definition
describes any situation in which the total number of leukocytes in the circulating blood is less than normal
Term
megaloblastic anemia
Definition
a blood disorder characterized by anemia in which the RBCs are larger than normal
Term
myelodysplastic syndrome
Definition

a group of bone marrow disorders that are characterized by the insufficient production of one or more types of blood cells due to dysfunction of the bone marrow

Term
myocardial infarction
Definition

AKA "heart attack"

the occlusion(total blockage) of one or more coronary arteries caused by plaque buildup

Term
orthostatic hypotension
Definition
low blood pressure that occurs upon standing up
Term
paroxysmal atrial tachycardia
Definition
(PAT) an episode that begins and ends abruptly during which there are very rapid and regular heartbeats that originate in the atrium
Term
pericardium
Definition
the double-walled membranous sac that encloses the heart
Term
pernicious anemia
Definition
caused by a lack of the protein intrinsic factor(IF) that helps the body absorb vitamin B12 from the gastrointestinal tract
Term
phlebitis
Definition
inflammation of a vein; usually occurs in a superficial vein
Term
Raynaud's phenomenon
Definition

a peripheral arterial occlusive disease in which intermittent attacks are triggered by cold or stress

Symptoms: paleness, blue color, and then redness of fingers and toes (due to constricted circulation)

Term
septicemia
Definition

(formerly known as blood poisioning)

systemic condition caused by the spread of microorganisms and their toxins via the circulating of blood

Term
sickle cell anemia
Definition
genetic disorder that causes abnormal hemoglobin, resulting in some RBCs assuming an abnormal sickle shape
Term
tachycardia
Definition

abnormally rapid resting heart rate

>100bpm

Term
thallium stress test
Definition
performed to evaluate how well blood flows through the coronary arteries of the heart muscle during exercise
Term
thrombocytopenia
Definition
condition in which there is an abnormally small number of platelets circulating in the blood
Term
thrombolytic
Definition
dissolves or causes a thrombus to break up
Term
thrombosis
Definition
the abnormal condition of having a thrombus
Term
thrombotic occlusion
Definition
the blocking of an artery by a thrombus
Term
thrombus
Definition
a blood clot attached to the interior wal of an artery or vein
Term
transfusion reaction
Definition
a serious, and potentially fatal, complication of a blood transfusion in which severe immune response occurs between the patient's blood and the donated blood do not match
Term
valvulitis
Definition
inflammation of a heart valve
Term
varicose veins
Definition
abnormally swollen veins, usually occuring in the superficial veins of the legs
Term
ventricular fibrillation
Definition
"V fib" the rapid, irregular, and useless contractions of the ventricles; instead of pumping strongly, the heart quivers ineffectively
Term
ventricular tachycardia
Definition

"V tach" a very rapid heart beat that begins within the ventricles

Potentially fatal b/c the heart is beating so rapidly that it is unable to adequately pump blood through the body

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