Emergency Cardiology Glossary

A ventricular escape rhythm with rate 50-100 bpm, commonly seen during reperfusion after myocardial infarction and gener...

The optimal auscultatory position and timing for detecting subtle cardiac sounds, particularly in emergency assessment o...

Acute coronary syndrome, umbrella term for conditions involving acute myocardial ischemia.

A naturally occurring nucleoside used to terminate supraventricular tachycardia by temporarily blocking AV conduction.

Complete absence of myocardial wall movement during cardiac contraction as seen on echocardiography.

A class III antiarrhythmic medication used to treat life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias and atrial fibrillation.

The visible prominence of the aortic arch on chest X-ray, used to assess for aortic pathology including dissection, aneu...

Laboratory test measuring blood oxygen, carbon dioxide, and pH levels from arterial sample.

ECG finding where atrial and ventricular rhythms are independent, often indicating ventricular tachycardia.

An anticholinergic medication used to increase heart rate in symptomatic bradycardia by blocking vagal stimulation.

Percutaneous procedure using balloon inflation to relieve aortic valve stenosis.

The precise synchronization of intra-aortic balloon pump inflation and deflation with the cardiac cycle to optimize coro...

Classic clinical signs of cardiac tamponade: elevated JVP, hypotension, and muffled heart sounds.

A distinctive form of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia with alternating QRS axis, classically associated with digital...

Any abnormal heart rhythm with a rate below 60 beats per minute that may compromise cardiac output.

ECG diagnostic criteria used to differentiate ventricular tachycardia from supraventricular tachycardia with aberrancy.

Coronary artery bypass graft surgery to reroute blood around blocked coronary arteries.

ECG finding in ventricular tachycardia where occasional supraventricular impulses conduct to ventricles.

The time-dependent pattern of cardiac enzyme release, peak levels, and clearance following myocardial injury or infarcti...

Cardiac output normalized to body surface area, measuring heart's pumping efficiency.

Life-threatening condition where fluid accumulation in the pericardial sac compresses the heart.

Life-threatening condition where the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet body's needs.

Restoration of normal heart rhythm using electrical shock or medications.

A hospital-wide activation protocol for suspected ST-elevation myocardial infarction requiring immediate catheterization...