Cardiovascular System Disorders Pathology of the Cardiovascular System Path/o = disease + -logy =study of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) – narrowing of the coronary arteries that can cause other problems, such as: Atherosclerosis – (ather/o = plaque + -sclerosis = hardening) hardening and narrowing of arteries by build-up of cholesterol plaque

Pathology of the CV System Cont’d. 2. Angina Pectoris – spasm of chest pain due to a decrease in blood flow to the myocardium 3. Myocardial Infarction – also known as a heart attack or “MI”; blockage of a coronary artery resulting in death of the surrounding tissue

Pathology of the CV System Cont’d. Arrhythmias – abnormal rhythm of the heart Bradycardia – (brady = slow + cardi = heart + ia = abn. condition) slow heartbeat, < 60 beats/minute rnceus.com/ekg/ekgsb.html 2. Tachycardia – (tachy = fast) fast heartbeat, > 100 beats/minute www.rch.org.au/clinicalguide/cpg.cfm?doc_id=5247

Pathology of the CV System Cont’d. Fibrillation – rapid, ineffective contractions of the heart 1. Ventricular Fibrillation – irregular contraction of the ventricle, will result in death unless corrected quickly. www.mf.uni-lj.si/.../eng/sz-50/sldr00015.html

Pathology of the CV System Cont’d. Hypertension (high blood pressure) – blood pressure above normal limits, 130/90 considered normal http://familymedicine.osu.edu/products/physicalexam/exam/ Diagnostic Procedures 1. Angiography – (angi/o = blood vessel + -graphy = process of recording) X-ray study of blood vessels after injecting dye (contrast medium) www.kup.at/journals/abbildungen/gross/5224.html

Diagnostic Procedures Cont’d. 2. Echocardiography – (ech/o = sound) ultrasound of the structures and motion of heart www.hmc.psu.edu/.../patient/movies/echogram.htm

Treatment / Procedures of the CV System Medications 1. Antihypertensives – (anti = against) used to lower blood pressure 2. Nitroglycerine – used to dilate blood vessels and relieve pain of angina 3. Anticoagulant – slows blood clotting and prevents new clots from forming

Treatment / Procedures of the CV System Cont’d. Methods to Clear Blocked Arteries 4. PTCA – Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty. Balloon is inserted during cardiac catheterization and inflated inside artery, this opens the plaque in the vessel so more blood can flow through, balloon is deflated and removed. Sometimes, a stent is used on the outside of the balloon to keep the artery open. www.heartsurgeons.com/angios.jpg

Treatment / Procedures of the CV System Cont’d. 5. Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) – a portion of a vein is removed from the leg and attached to the blocked artery in the heart, this causes blood flow to go around (bypass) the blockage and improve blood flow to heart. www.heartsurgeryva.com/images/si55551803.gif

Treatment / Procedures of the CV System Cont’d. 6. Defibrillation – use of electrical shock to restore heart’s normal rhythm www.cnamedical.com/HP43100_large.jpg 7. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation – emergency procedure for life support that consists of compressions and breaths