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Cardiovascular System: Pathophysiology and Assessment Study Guide

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the cardiovascular system's function, common alterations, and assessment techniques. It delves into topics such as tissue perfusion, inflammatory and structural heart diseases, electrical and mechanical dysfunctions, acute coronary syndromes, shock, and considerations for specific populations like pregnant women and older adults. Understanding these concepts is crucial for diagnosing and managing cardiovascular conditions.

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Alterations in Cardiovascular Function

Assessment of Alterations in Cardiovascular Function

This content covers pathophysiology, manifestations, diagnostics, and clinical cases related to hypotension, hypertension, atherosclerosis, peripheral arterial disease, and embolism.

  • Hypotension
  • Orthostatic Hypotension
  • Primary Hypertension
  • Secondary Hypertension
  • Hypertensive crisis
  • Arteriosclerosis
  • Atherosclerosis
  • Peripheral Arterial Disease
  • Deep Vein Thrombosis
  • Embolism
  • Aneurysm
  • Coronary Artery Disease

Cardiovascular Alterations and Dysfunction

Explores the spectrum of cardiovascular alterations, from inflammatory responses to systemic failure and shock, including structural, electrical, and mechanical dysfunctions.

  • Tissue perfusion
  • Arterial disorders
  • Venous disorders
  • Rheumatic Fever
  • Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci
  • Carditis
  • Polyarthritis
  • Erythema marginatum
  • Subcutaneous nodules
  • Rheumatic heart disease
  • Valvular dysfunction
  • Stenosis
  • Regurgitation
  • Heart murmurs
  • Electrical dysfunction
  • Dysrhythmias
  • Heart blocks
  • Mechanical dysfunction

Anatomy and Function of Sensory Receptors

Vision Disorders and Photoreceptor Function

An examination of common vision impairments, the anatomy of photoreceptors, and methods for maintaining ocular health.

  • Hypermetropia and the use of convex lenses
  • Function of rods and cones in the retina
  • Distribution of photoreceptors in the fovea centralis
  • Rhodopsin and photopsin pigments
  • Glaucoma and retinal disorders
  • Cataracts and macular degeneration
  • Prevention of vision loss

Structure and Function of the Human Ear

This material describes the anatomy of the human ear, including the outer, middle, and inner ear, and its roles in hearing and balance.

  • Outer ear structures including pinna and auditory canal
  • Middle ear structures including tympanum and ossicles
  • Inner ear anatomy including cochlea and organ of Corti
  • Role of the ear in hearing and balance
  • Semicircular canals and the vestibular system
  • Transmission deafness and nerve deafness
  • Pathway of sound waves through the ear
  • Other human sensory receptors

Types and Functions of Sensory Receptors

An overview of various sensory receptors including photoreceptors, chemoreceptors, mechanoreceptors, and thermoreceptors and their physiological roles in human perception.

  • Categories of sensory receptors
  • Mechanism of gustatory receptors
  • Olfactory system and smell perception
  • Cutaneous receptors and touch
  • Nociceptors and pain signaling
  • Role of mechanoreceptors in balance and hearing
  • Thermoreceptors and temperature variation
  • Relationship between smell and taste

Assessment and Diagnosis of Myocardial Infarction

Assessment of Cardiovascular Alterations and Myocardial Infarction

Assessment of cardiovascular function includes health history, differential diagnosis of chest pain, and evaluation of acute coronary syndromes, myocardial infarction, and diagnostic tests.

  • Health History
  • Differential Diagnosis
  • Acute Chest Pain
  • Acute Coronary Syndromes
  • Myocardial Infarction
  • nSTEMI
  • Myocardial Remodeling
  • Cardiac Enzymes
  • Troponin I
  • Electrocardiogram
  • Cardiac Catheterization

Pulmonary Alterations and Respiratory Disorders

Alterations in the Pulmonary System

Assessment of pulmonary conditions including bronchiectasis, bronchiolitis, inhalation disorders, pulmonary edema, and acute respiratory distress syndrome.

  • Bronchiectasis
  • Bronchiolitis
  • Inhalation disorders
  • Pneumoconiosis
  • Hypersensitivity pneumonitis
  • Acute respiratory distress syndrome
  • Exudative phase
  • Proliferative phase
  • Fibrotic phase
  • Alveolocapillary injury
  • V/Q mismatch

Endocrine System Regulation and Nervous System Overview

Hormonal Regulation and the Endocrine System

This material covers the physiological mechanisms of hormonal regulation involving ADH, aldosterone, cortisol, and epinephrine in response to homeostatic needs and stress.

  • ADH and water reabsorption
  • Aldosterone and sodium reabsorption
  • Negative feedback and rétroinhibition
  • Short-term stress response
  • Cortisol production and regulation
  • Endocrine gland distribution

Diagnostique du docteur et hormones

This material uses patient scenarios and symptoms to associate specific hormone deficiencies with medical diagnoses.

  • association of symptoms to hormone deficiencies
  • thyroxine and calcitonine
  • parathormone and growth hormone
  • adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol
  • insulin and glucagon
  • antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
  • aldosterone and epinephrine
  • endocrine glands and hormones

Le Système Nerveux Périphérique

An overview of the peripheral nervous system, including the somatic and autonomic divisions and their sympathetic and parasympathetic components.

  • Système nerveux périphérique
  • Système nerveux somatique
  • Système nerveux autonome
  • Système nerveux sympathique
  • Système nerveux parasympathique
  • Réaction de lutte ou de fuite
  • Neurotransmetteur norépinéphrine et épinéphrine
  • Neurotransmetteur acétylcholine
  • Rôles antagonistes des systèmes sympathique et parasympathique

Assessment and Disorders of the Cardiovascular System

Assessment of Cardiovascular Function and Disorders

Assessment of the precordium, auscultation techniques, and identification of valvular dysfunction and cardiomyopathies.

  • Cardiomyopathies
  • Dilated cardiomyopathy
  • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
  • Restrictive cardiomyopathy
  • Precordium inspection and palpation
  • Apical impulse
  • Point of maximal impulse (PMI)
  • Valvular dysfunction
  • Stenosis
  • Regurgitation
  • Auscultation landmarks
  • Systolic and diastolic murmurs

Structure and Function of Nervous Systems

Neuronal Action Potentials and Synaptic Transmission

This material covers the mechanisms of neuronal depolarization, repolarization, and the chemical signaling processes involving neurotransmitters at synapses.

  • depolarization and repolarization of a neuron
  • neuronal action potential
  • synaptic transmission and neurotransmitter release
  • structure of a neuron including dendrites and axons
  • role of acetylcholine in the CNS and SNA
  • dopamine and movement control
  • functions of serotonin and endorphins
  • sodium channels and membrane potential

Structure and Function of the Nervous System

An examination of the central nervous system, including the encephalon, brain lobes, and neuronal physiological processes.

  • Central nervous system organization
  • Gray and white matter differences
  • Structure of the encephalon
  • Functions of the brain lobes
  • Neuronal action potential and depolarization
  • Synaptic transmission and acetylcholine
  • Hypothalamus regulation of emotions and drives
  • Myelinated and unmyelinated axons

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