Bookmarks
Concepts
Activity
Courses
Learning Plans
Courses
Request
Log In
Sign up
👤
Log In
Join
?
⚙️
→
👤
Log In
Join
?
←
Menu
Bookmarks
Concepts
Activity
Courses
Learning Plans
Courses
Request
Log In
Sign up
×
CUSTOMIZE YOUR LEARNING
→
TIME COMMITMENT
10 sec
2 min
5 min
15 min
1 hr
3 hours
8 hours
1k hrs
YOUR LEVEL
beginner
some_idea
confident
expert
LET'S Start Learning
👤
Log In
Join
?
⚙️
→
👤
Log In
Join
?
←
Menu
Bookmarks
Concepts
Activity
Courses
Learning Plans
Courses
Request
Log In
Sign up
×
CUSTOMIZE YOUR LEARNING
→
TIME COMMITMENT
10 sec
2 min
5 min
15 min
1 hr
3 hours
8 hours
1k hrs
YOUR LEVEL
beginner
some_idea
confident
expert
LET'S Start Learning
New Course
Concept
Analysis and design of mechanical systems
Generate Assignment Link
Lessons
Concepts
Suggested Topics
Foundational Courses
Learning Plan
All
Followed
Recommended
Assigned
Concept
Systolic Dysfunction
Systolic dysfunction
is a condition where the heart's
left ventricle
fails to
contract effectively
, reducing its
capacity to pump blood
efficiently throughout the body. It is commonly associated with
reduced ejection fraction
and can lead to
heart failure
if not properly managed through
medical interventions
.
Concept
Diastolic Dysfunction
Diastolic dysfunction
refers to the
impaired relaxation
and
filling of the heart's ventricles
during diastole, often leading to
heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
(HFpEF). It is primarily caused by conditions that increase
myocardial stiffness
or alter
ventricular compliance
, such as hypertension and
ischemic heart disease
.
Concept
Ejection Fraction
Ejection fraction
is a crucial measurement used to assess how well the heart is pumping blood, specifically indicating the
percentage of blood leaving the heart
each time it contracts. It is a key indicator in diagnosing and
monitoring heart conditions
such as
heart failure
and cardiomyopathy.
Concept
Pulmonary Edema
Pulmonary edema
is a condition characterized by
excess fluid accumulation
in the lungs, leading to impaired
gas exchange
and potentially causing
respiratory distress
. It can result from various causes, including
heart failure
, acute
respiratory distress
syndrome, and
high altitude exposure
, necessitating prompt
diagnosis and management
to prevent
severe complications
.
Concept
Cardiac Remodeling
Cardiac remodeling
is a process where the heart undergoes structural and
functional changes
in response to
stress or injury
, such as hypertension or
myocardial infarction
, often leading to
heart failure
if left unchecked. This
adaptive mechanism
involves alterations in
cardiac myocyte size
, extracellular matrix composition, and overall
cardiac geometry
, impacting the heart's ability to pump blood efficiently.
Concept
Neurohormonal Activation
Neurohormonal activation
refers to the
body's response to stress
or injury, involving the
release of hormones
and neurotransmitters that regulate cardiovascular and renal function. This mechanism is crucial in the
pathophysiology of heart failure
, where it initially compensates for
reduced cardiac output
but eventually contributes to
disease progression
.
Concept
Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System
The
Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System
(RAAS) is a
hormone system
that regulates
blood pressure
and
fluid balance
in the body. It involves the
sequential activation
of renin, angiotensin, and aldosterone, which together increase
blood volume
and
systemic vascular resistance
, ultimately raising
blood pressure
.
Concept
Beta-Adrenergic Blockade
Beta-adrenergic blockade
involves the use of
beta blockers
to inhibit the
effects of adrenaline
and noradrenaline on
beta receptors
, primarily affecting the
cardiovascular system
by reducing
heart rate
, cardiac output, and
blood pressure
. This
therapeutic approach
is widely used in
managing conditions
like hypertension, angina, and
heart failure
, as well as in the
prevention of migraines
and
reduction of anxiety symptoms
.
Concept
Natriuretic Peptides
Natriuretic peptides
are hormones that play a crucial role in
cardiovascular homeostasis
by regulating
blood pressure
, fluid balance, and
electrolyte levels
. They are primarily produced by the heart and act to counteract the effects of the
renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system
, promoting vasodilation and natriuresis to reduce
blood volume
and pressure.
Concept
Congestive Heart Failure
Congestive heart failure
is a
chronic progressive condition
where the
heart muscle
is unable to pump
sufficient blood
to meet the body’s needs, leading to
fluid buildup
in the lungs and
other tissues
. Management involves
lifestyle changes
, medication, and sometimes
surgical interventions
to improve
quality of life
and
prevent complications
.
Concept
Left Ventricular Hypertrophy
Left Ventricular Hypertrophy
(LVH) is the
thickening of the heart's left ventricular wall
, often resulting from
high blood pressure
or
heart conditions
that increase workload. It can lead to
serious complications
like
heart failure
, arrhythmias, and
increased risk of cardiovascular events
if left untreated.
Concept
Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction (HFrEF)
Heart Failure
with
Reduced
Ejection Fraction
(HFrEF) is a condition where the
heart muscle
is weakened and cannot
pump blood
efficiently, leading to an
Ejection Fraction
of 40% or less. It is commonly caused by
coronary artery disease
and is managed through
lifestyle changes
, medications, and sometimes devices or surgery to improve
heart function
and
patient outcomes
.
Concept
Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF)
Heart Failure
with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF) is a form of
Heart Failure
where the heart's
left ventricle
maintains a
normal ejection fraction
, but there is
impaired ventricular filling
due to
increased stiffness
or
relaxation abnormalities
. This condition is often associated with comorbidities such as hypertension, obesity, and diabetes, making it a
complex syndrome
with significant diagnostic and
therapeutic challenges
.
Concept
Heart Attack
A
heart attack
, or
myocardial infarction
, occurs when
blood flow
to a
part of the heart
is blocked for a long enough time that
part of the heart
muscle is damaged or dies. It is a
critical medical emergency
that requires
immediate treatment
to restore
blood flow
and
minimize heart damage
.
Concept
Cardiology
Cardiology is the
branch of medicine
that deals with the
diagnosis and treatment
of
heart diseases
and conditions. It encompasses a wide range of disorders, including
coronary artery disease
, heart failure, and arrhythmias, and employs various
diagnostic tools
and treatments to improve
cardiovascular health
.
Concept
Edema Management
Edema management
involves identifying and addressing the
underlying cause of fluid accumulation
in tissues, while implementing
strategies to reduce swelling
and
improve patient comfort
. Effective management often includes a combination of
lifestyle modifications
, pharmacological interventions, and in some cases,
surgical procedures
to
prevent complications
and
improve quality of life
.
Concept
Electrolyte Management
Electrolyte management
is crucial in maintaining homeostasis and ensuring proper
physiological function
, as imbalances can lead to severe
health issues
such as
cardiac arrhythmias
, neurological disturbances, and
muscle dysfunction
. Effective management involves monitoring and
adjusting electrolyte levels
through
dietary intake
,
intravenous fluids
, and medications, especially in patients with conditions like
kidney disease
,
heart failure
, or those undergoing
intensive medical treatments
.
Concept
Right Heart Catheterization
Right heart catheterization
is a
diagnostic procedure
used to measure
pressures in the right atrium
, right ventricle, and
pulmonary artery
, providing critical information about
cardiac function
and hemodynamics. It is essential for diagnosing conditions such as
pulmonary hypertension
, heart failure, and
congenital heart disease
, and is often performed with
fluoroscopic guidance
to ensure
accurate catheter placement
.
Concept
Pulmonary Hypertension
Pulmonary hypertension
is a condition characterized by
elevated blood pressure
in the
pulmonary arteries
, which can lead to
heart failure
if untreated. It involves complex
pathophysiological mechanisms
and requires
careful management
to improve
quality of life
and prognosis.
Concept
Pulmonary Vascular Resistance
Pulmonary vascular resistance
(PVR) is a measure of the resistance that the
pulmonary circulation
offers against
blood flow
, primarily influenced by the diameter and elasticity of the pulmonary arteries and arterioles. It is a crucial determinant of
right ventricular afterload
and plays a significant role in conditions like
pulmonary hypertension
and
heart failure
.
Concept
Ventricular-arterial Coupling
Ventricular-arterial coupling
is the relationship between the heart's
ventricular function
and the
arterial system
, crucial for optimizing
cardiovascular efficiency
and
energy transfer
. It is often assessed by comparing the
elastance of the left ventricle
to the
effective arterial elastance
, with implications for
heart failure management
and
treatment strategies
.
Concept
Right Ventricular Ejection Fraction
Right ventricular ejection fraction
(RVEF) is a measure of how well the
right ventricle
of the
heart pumps blood
with each heartbeat, reflecting its
efficiency and function
. It is crucial for assessing
right ventricular performance
, particularly in conditions like
pulmonary hypertension
and
heart failure
, and is often evaluated using
imaging techniques
such as echocardiography or
cardiac MRI
.
Concept
Ventricular Systolic Function
Ventricular systolic function
refers to the
ability of the heart's ventricles
to
contract and pump blood
effectively, which is crucial for maintaining
adequate circulation
throughout the body. It is commonly assessed using measurements like
ejection fraction
and
stroke volume
, and
impaired function
can lead to conditions such as
heart failure
.
Concept
Right Ventricular Hypertrophy
Right ventricular hypertrophy
(RVH) is the
thickening of the muscular walls
of the
right ventricle of the heart
, often due to
increased pressure
or
volume overload
. It is commonly associated with conditions such as
pulmonary hypertension
, congenital heart defects, and
chronic lung diseases
, and can lead to complications like
heart failure
if untreated.
Concept
Ventricular Function Curve
The
Ventricular Function Curve
illustrates the relationship between
ventricular preload
(end-diastolic volume) and
stroke volume
or
cardiac output
, demonstrating how the heart adjusts its output in response to changes in
venous return
. This curve highlights the
Frank-Starling mechanism
, where
increased preload
leads to enhanced
cardiac muscle fiber stretch
and thus greater
force of contraction
, up to an
optimal point
beyond which
further stretch
can impair function.
Concept
Pathophysiology Of Edema
Edema is the
accumulation of excess fluid
in the
interstitial spaces
, resulting from an imbalance in the forces that regulate
fluid exchange
, such as
increased hydrostatic pressure
, decreased oncotic pressure, or
lymphatic obstruction
. Understanding the
pathophysiology of edema
involves examining the
underlying causes
, including
heart failure
,
liver cirrhosis
,
renal disease
, and inflammation, which disrupt the
normal fluid balance mechanisms
.
Concept
Sodium Retention
Sodium retention
refers to the
body's tendency to hold onto sodium
, often due to
hormonal influences
like aldosterone or
conditions like heart failure
, leading to
fluid retention
and
increased blood pressure
. It plays a crucial role in maintaining
fluid balance
, but
excessive retention
can contribute to hypertension and edema.
Concept
Edema Detection
Edema detection
involves identifying the presence of
excess fluid
in
body tissues
, which can be indicative of
underlying health conditions
such as
heart failure
, kidney disease, or
lymphatic issues
.
Accurate detection
is crucial for
timely intervention
and can be achieved through
clinical examination
,
imaging techniques
, and
bioimpedance analysis
.
Concept
Transudate Management
Transudate management
involves the clinical approach to handling
fluid accumulation
due to
systemic conditions
that alter hydrostatic or
oncotic pressure
, leading to
non-inflammatory fluid leakage
. Effective management requires addressing the
underlying cause
, such as
heart failure
or cirrhosis, and may include diuretics,
dietary modifications
, and
monitoring fluid intake
.
Concept
Fluid Restriction
Fluid restriction
is a
medical intervention
used to limit the
intake of fluids
in patients with
certain health conditions
, such as
heart failure
, kidney disease, or hyponatremia, to
prevent fluid overload
and
maintain electrolyte balance
. It requires
careful monitoring
and
individualized planning
to ensure
patient safety
and
effectiveness of treatment
.
3