Easy: ECG & Basic Concepts
This ECG method for diagnosing left ventricular hypertrophy adds the S wave in V1 to the R wave in V5 or V6, and if the total exceeds 35 mm, LVH is suggested.
What is the Sokolow–Lyon criterion?
This term refers to the stretch of the ventricles at the end of diastole before contraction.
What is preload?
This invasive investigation can directly measure pressures within the heart and assess for coronary artery disease in selected patients.
What is cardiac catheterization?
This ultrasound-based test is the gold standard for assessing heart structure, valve function, and ejection fraction in heart failure.
What is an echocardiogram?
The pressure or resistance that the ventricle must overcome to eject blood during systole is called this.
What is afterload?
This non-invasive test records the electrical activity of the heart and can detect arrhythmias or ischemic changes in heart failure.
What is an electrocardiogram (ECG)?
This blood test detects peptides released when the heart is stretched, helping diagnose or exclude heart failure.
What is BNP?
Increased venous return, regurgitation, or hypervolemia all cause an increase in this cardiac factor.
What is preload?
This form of exercise-based testing evaluates a patient’s functional capacity and may reveal exercise-induced ischemia in heart failure.
What is an exercise or stress test?
This imaging test can show an enlarged heart and fluid in the lungs in a patient with heart failure.
What is a chest X-ray?
Hypertension, vasoconstriction, and aortic stenosis all increase this factor that resists ventricular ejection.
What is afterload?
This advanced imaging technique may be used to assess detailed cardiac structure and function when echocardiography is inconclusive.
What is cardiac MRI or CT scanning?
This law explains that the heart pumps more forcefully when filled with more blood — up to a certain point.
What is the Frank–Starling law?
This measurement represents the percentage of blood pumped out of the left ventricle with each beat and normally sits between 50–60%.
What is ejection fraction?
Initial management of heart failure includes reducing fluid overload with diuretics, improving cardiac output, and lowering afterload with these medications.
What are ACE inhibitors (or ARBs)?