Definition
Aortic regurgitation (AR): Incompetence of the aortic valve resulting in a large volume of blood flowing back into the left ventricle during diastole. Mitral stenosis (MS): Constriction of the mitral orifice with an increase in turbulent flow across the reduced valve area.
History
Symptoms
MS: Crackles throughout the lung fields are present when […]

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Definition
Inflammation of the pericardium due to infection with a viral, rickettsial, bacterial, chlamydial, or fungal organism or from a noninfectious cause. Pericardial effusion involves the accumulation of fluid in the pericardial space. The fluid accumulation is composed of transudate, exudate, serosanguinous fluid, or frank blood.
History
Management considerations should […]

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Definition
Chronic condition, characterized by elevation of the systolic and or diastolic measurement of blood pressure (> 140/90 or marked at > 170/110).
Symptoms
Essential: Usually none however, the patient may complain of headaches and epistaxis with severe hypertension.
Secondary: Depending on the etiology, patients may have one of many symptoms. […]

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Definition
Cor pulmonale is a term that describes the pathologic effects of lung dysfunction on the right side of the heart. The definition of cor pulmonale is right ventricular dilitation, with or without hypertrophy, caused by hypertension of the pulmonary circulation due to pulmonary dysfunction. Right sided (right ventricular) heart […]

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Definition
A multi factorial metabolic disorder of the arteries of the heart leading to development of varying degrees of stenosis including closure of the lumen of the artery. It is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in North America and Western Europe.
History
Symptoms: A pressure, band, vice like, burning or […]

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Definition
Congestive heart failure (CHF) refers to that state in which abnormal circulatory congestion exists as a result of heart failure. The definition of CHF is most readily understood by breaking the condition into its component parts. Congestive, in this sense, is the state of circulatory overload that inhibits the […]

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Definition
Any deviation in or departure from the normal sinus mechanism.
History
Symptoms: The patient may be asymptomatic or present with palpitations, dyspnea, lethargy, weakness, dizziness, chest pain, syncope, congestive heart failure (CHF), or complete hemodynamic collapse.
General:Frequently, dysrhythmias occur as a complication of an […]

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