EMT BNH ch 18

acute coronary syndrome

a blanket term used to represent any symptoms related to lack of oxygen (ischemia) in the heart muscle. also known as cardiac compromise

sudden death

a cardiac arrest that occurs within two hours of the onset of symptoms. the patient may have no prior symptoms of coronary artery disease.

thrombus

a clot formed of blood and plaque attached to the inner wall of an artery or vein

asytole

a condition in which the heart has ceased generating electrical impulses. Commonly called flatline

ventricular fibrillation (VF)

a condition in which the heart's electrical impulses are disorganized, preventing the heart muscle from contracting normally.

pulseless electrical activity

a condition in which the heart's electrical rhythm remains relatively normal, yet the mechanical pumping activity fails to follow the electrical activity, causing cardiac arrest

ventricular tachycardia

a condition in which the heartbeat is quite rapid; if rapid enough, ventricular tachycardia will not allow the hear's chambers to fill with enough blood between bears to produce blood flow sufficient to meet the body's needs.

dysrhythmia

a disturbance in heart rate and rhythm

nitroglycerin

a medication that dilates the blood

pedal edema

accumulation of fluid in the feet or ankles

pulmonary edema

accumulation of fluid in the lungs

cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

actions taken to revive a person by keeping the person's hear and lungs working

embolism

blockage of a vessel by a clot or foreign material brought to the site by the blood current

occlusion

blockage, as of an artery, by fatty deposits

defirbillation

delivery of an electrical shock to stop the fibrillation of heart muscles and restore a normal heart rhythm

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

disease that affect the arteries of the heart

agonal breathing

irregular, gasping breaths that precede apnea and death

apnea

no breathing

angina pectoris

pain in the chest occurring when blood supply to the heart is reduced and a portion of the heart muscle is not receiving enough oxygen.

cardiac compromise

see acute coronary syndrome

dyspnea

shortness of breath; labored or difficult breathing

edema

swelling resulting from a buildup of fluid in the tissues

acute myocardial infarction

the condition in which a portion of the myocardium dies as a result of oxygen starvation; often called a heart attack by laypersons

aneurysm

the dilation, or ballooning, of a weakened section of a wall of an artery

congestive heart failure (CHF)

the failure of the heart to pump efficiently, leading to excessive blood or fluids in the lungs, the body, or both

cardiovascular system

the heart and blood vessels

tachycardia

when the heart rate is fast, more than 100 beats per minute

bradycardia

when the heart rate is slow, usually less than 60