1. Cardiovascular Emergencies
CHAPTER 18 1

2. …more than half of them occur outside of hospitals.
Cardiac emergencies are the most common medical emergencies in the U.S., with over 600,000 deaths each year...
…more than half of them occur outside of hospitals. 1

3. Review of the Circulatory System
Anatomy 1

4. Aorta Coronary arteries
External View of Heart
Aorta
Superior vena cava
Left pulmonary artery
Coronary arteries 1

5. Aortic valve Atria Ventricles
Internal View of Heart
Aortic valve
Pulmonary valve
Atria
C4-22
Ventricles 1

6. Blood flow through the circulatory system.1

7. Arterial System Carotid artery Brachial artery Radial artery
Femoral artery 1

8. Venous System External jugular vein Inferior vena cava Femoral vein
Great saphenous vein 1

9. Blood Composition Red blood cells White blood cells Platelets Plasma
Hemoglobin
White blood cells
Platelets
Plasma
Fluid that carries cells and platelets 1

10. Blood Composition Functions
Blood Component
Function
Give blood its color, carry O2 to organs, carry C 02 away
Red blood cells
White blood cells
Part of immune system
Plasma
Carries blood cells, nutrients
Platelets
Essential for clotting 1

11. Physiology 1

12. Key Pulse Points Carotid Brachial Radial Femoral Posterior Tibial
Dorsalis Pedis 1

13. Assessing the Pulse Rate Quality
Averages beats per minute in adults
Quality
Strength? (strong or weak)
Regularity? (regular or irregular) 1

14. Perfusion:
The process of delivering blood to the organs, delivering oxygen, and removing wastes.
The skin condition is a good indicator of perfusion. 1

15. Shock:
A state or condition of inadequate perfusion to the organs and tissue. 1

16. Signs and Symptoms of Shock
Rapid and weak pulse
Pale or cyanotic skin color
Cool, clammy skin
Rapid and shallow breathing
Restlessness and anxiety 1

17. Signs & Symptoms of Shock continued
Mental dullness, confusion
Nausea, vomiting, and thirst
Low or decreasing blood pressure
Subnormal temperature 1

18. NEVER rely solely on BP to determine the presence of shock.
Low blood pressure is a LATE sign of shock (hypoperfusion).
NEVER rely solely on BP to determine the presence of shock. 1

19. Cardiac Compromise 1

20. Ischemia:
A condition of reduced oxygen to body tissues and cells. 1

21. Atherosclerosis:
A condition in which cholesterol and cellular debris form a plaque on the insides of arteries, narrowing the area that the blood flows through. 1

22. Normal Artery
Artery
Clogged
with plaque 1

23. Angina:
Chest pain caused by reduced oxygen to the heart due to inadequate blood supply through the coronary arteries. 1

24. Acute myocardial infarction:
A condition in which a part of the heart muscle dies as a result of no blood supply and prolonged lack of oxygen. 1

25. Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI)
Embolus
(or spasm)
Area of ischemia 1

26. Chest pain is often a symptom of an acute MI.1

27. Congestive heart failure (CHF):
A condition in which the heart fails to pump efficiently, causing fluid to back up into the lungs and venous system. 1

28. Signs & Symptoms of CHF Dyspnea JVD Pulmonary edema
Pedal (peripheral) edema 1

29. Assessment 1

30. Pertinent past medical history Last oral intake (solid or liquid)
Signs and symptoms
Allergies
Medications
Pertinent past medical history
Last oral intake (solid or liquid)
Events leading to injury or illness 1

31. Onset
Provocation
Quality
Radiation
Severity
Time 1

32. Cardiac Compromise
Squeezing, dull pressure or pain in the chest (may radiate to arms, neck, jaw or upper back)
Sudden onset of sweating
Difficulty breathing
Anxiety or irritability
Feeling of impending doom
Nausea or vomiting 1

33. Cardiac Compromise continued
Epigastric pain or abdominal discomfort
Abnormal and sometimes irregular pulse
Sometimes abnormal blood pressure 1