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The pulmonary artery is the only artery to carry deoxygenated blood to the lungs for gas exchange. The pulmonary vein is the only vein to carry oxygenated blood back to the heart. Typically, the arteries carry oxygen rich blood away from the heart to the systemic circulation. Veins typically carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart. The aorta is the main artery exiting the left ventricle to the body and the vena cava returns blood back to the right side of the heart.
Acute gastroenteritis may be caused by bacterial or viral ingestion, toxic ingestion, or ingestion of lactose in a lactose intolerant patient. Signs and symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramping.
Coronary heart disease, also known as coronary artery disease (CAD), is the number one threat to American health, killing an estimated 466,000 persons annually. While some predisposition to coronary heart disease is non-modifiable, many of the risk factors are behaviors that can be changed (e.g., obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and smoking). While chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer, and traumatic injuries represent major health problems, they do not claim lives on the same magnitude of coronary heart disease.
High flow oxygen would be indicated with extreme shortness of breath during the initial assessment, so long as ventilations are adequate. If the patient is breathing inadequately, then positive pressure ventilation with oxygen should be immediately instituted.
The layers of the heart from the outer most to the innermost layer are: Epicardium, myocardium, endocardium. The pericardium is actually the protective sac which surrounds the heart. The heart is covered with a thin layer of slippery tissue called the epicardium, it provides a surface which can move inside the pericardium without causing friction. The myocardium is the muscle tissue of the heart which conducts electricity which causes the muscle to squeeze pumping blood. The endocardium is made of the same type of tissue as the epicardium. The endocardium is very smooth to prevent clots from forming and adhering to the valves.
The two-flap valve is called the mitral valve, also known as the bicuspid valve. The three-flap valve is the tricuspid valve.
Differing blood pressures in each arm, as well as the description of a sharp, tearing pain between the shoulder blades, may indicate an aortic dissection. This is a definite medical emergency that warrants immediate transport to the emergency department.
Typical cardiac related chest pain is often referred to as a pressure, like "a ton of bricks on my chest" or an elephant sitting on their chest. You can rule out a cardiac event on type of chest pain described alone. Some patients will have atypical chest pain which could be described as anything from sharp pain to a pulled muscle to a tooth ache. Sharp stabbing pain, which can be located with one finger, is often a Pulmonary Embolism.
An AED is used to treat pulseless, apneic patients in ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia.
Edema to the legs or sacrum is often a result of right-sided congestive heart failure. There may also be jugular vein distention and ascites present as well. The most common cause of right-sided heart failure is left-sided heart failure; therefore, you may also note signs and symptoms of left-sided heart failure such as a dry, hacking cough, or coughing up pink frothy sputum, shortness of breath, orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, and fatigue.
The normal heart rate for a newborn is 140 – 160 and an infant’s is 120 – 140 beats per minutes. Children between the ages of 1-6 have a heart rate of 100 – 120, while children over the age of 6 have a heart rate of 80 – 100 BPM.
Plaque is actually the buildup of fatty deposits on the artery walls which narrow and harden the arteries. While a clot often forms around plaque, especially around a plaque rupture, it is not a part of the clotting process. Platelets are the flat disks which stick together forming the thrombus. Fibrin are the small strands of fiber which make up the frame work of the clot making it stronger, like reinforcing rods in concrete. Thrombin is the protein chemo activator which signals the formation of a clotting process.
Cardiac Compromise is a blanket term used to describe any type of heart problem. As an EMT-B, it allows you to identify that the patient has cardiac problems without going above your scope of practice.
The heart, blood vessels and blood are all major components of the cardiovascular system. Myoglobin is a component of muscle. When large muscle masses are injured they give off myoglobin into the blood stream. Myoglobin molecules are large and cause problems with the renal system during times of trauma, elocution or burns.
Giving Oxygen to a cardiac patient as soon as possible can help reduce damage to the heart muscle.
