CARDIOVASCULAR EMERGENCIES

Conduction PathwaySA node – AV Junction – AV node – Bundle of His – Purkinje Fibers60 – 100 bpm 40 – 60 bpm 15 to 40 bpm

What is a cardiovascular emergency?......

Cardiac Compromise• Blanket term• Sometimes called Acute Coronary Syndrome

or ACS• Refers to a cardiac event of rapid onset• ACS {ischemia}

Cardiac Compromise can be caused by disorders that affect the condition and function of the heart:

• CAD• Aneurism• Electrical malfunctions• Mechanical malfunctins• Angina

• CHF• Thrombus• Embolism• AMI

CAD• Coronary Arteries• Narrowing or blockage• Blood flow reduced, impeding O2 to the heart• Under stress or exertion, Hear rate ↑s

increasing oxygen demand

The culprits:• ArteriosclerosisStiffening or hardening of the arterial wall from

Ca++ depositsElasticity is lost changing blood flow and ↑ng

B/P

• AtherosclerosisBuild up of fatty deposits on the inner walls of

the arteriesNarrowing of the diameter of the vessel

Aneurism• Angina PectorisLiterally means a pain in the chestCAD

CHF• Congestive Heart Failure• Inadequate pumping of the heart• Left sided heart failure• May be brought on by

Diseased heart valvesHTNCOPD

Resulting in• Edema

backup of fluids• Cardiogenic Shock

Signs and symptoms of CHF• Tachycardia• Dyspnea• Normal or ↑d B/P• Cyanosis• Diaphoresis• Cool / clammy / skin• Rales

• Anxiety• Confusion• Pedal edema• JVD {late sign}• ABD distension

Treatment Modalities• O2• POC