CARDIOLOGY MNEMONICS

Anti-arrythmics: for AV nodes
"Do Block AV":
Digoxin
B-blockers
Adenosine
Verapamil

Aortic regurgitation: causes
CREAM:
Congenital
Rheumatic damage
Endocarditis
Aortic dissection/ Aortic root dilatation
Marfan’s

Aortic stenosis characteristics
SAD:
Syncope
Angina
Dyspnoea

Apex beat: abnormalities found on palpation, causes of impalpable
HILT:
Heaving
Impalpable
Laterally displaced
Thrusting/ Tapping
_ If it is impalpable, causes are COPD:
COPD
Obesity
Pleural, Pericardial effusion
Dextrocardia

Apex beat: differential for impalpable apex beat
DOPES:
Dextrocardia
Obesity
Pericarditis/ Pericardial tamponade/ Pneumothorax
Emphysema
Sinus inversus/ Student incompetence/ Scoliosis/ Skeletal abnormalities (eg pectus excavatum)

Atrial fibrillation: causes
A S#!T:
Alcohol
Stenosis (mitral valve)
Hypertension
Infarction/ Ischaemia
Thyrotoxicosis

Atrial fibrillation: causes
PIRATES:
Pulmonary: PE, COPD
Iatrogenic
Rheumatic heart: mirtral regurgitation
Atherosclerotic: MI, CAD
Thyroid: hyperthyroid
Endocarditis
Sick sinus syndrome

Atrial fibrillation: management
ABCD:
Anti-coagulate
Beta-block to control rate
Cardiovert
Digoxin
Beck's triad (cardiac tamponade)
3 D's:
Distant heart sounds
Distended jugular veins
Decreased arterial pressure

Betablockers: cardioselective betablockers
"Betablockers Acting Exclusively At Myocardium"
_ Cardioselective betablockers are:
Betaxolol
Acebutelol
Esmolol
Atenolol
Metoprolol

CHF: causes of exacerbation
FAILURE:
Forgot medication
Arrhythmia/ Anaemia
Ischemia/ Infarction/ Infection
Lifestyle: taken too much salt
Upregulation of CO: pregnancy, hyperthyroidism
Renal failure
Embolism: pulmonary

CHF: causes of exacerbation
A SMITH PEAR:
Anemia
Salt/ Stress/ Stopping meds
MI
Infection/ Ischemia
Thyroid (high/low)
HTN
Pericarditis
Endocarditis (valve disease)
Arrhythmia
Rx (beta blocker, etc)

Coronary artery bypass graft: indications DUST:
Depressed ventricular function
Unstable angina
Stenosis of the left main stem
Triple vessel disease

Coronary artery bypass graft: indications
DUST:
Depressed ventricular function
Unstable angina
Stenosis of the left main stem
Triple vessel disease

Depressed ST-segment: causes
DEPRESSED ST:
Drooping valve (MVP)
Enlargement of LV with strain
Potassium loss (hypokalemia)
Reciprocal ST- depression (in I/W AMI)
Embolism in lungs (pulmonary embolism)
Subendocardial ischemia
Subendocardial infarct
Encephalon haemorrhage (intracranial haemorrhage)
Dilated cardiomyopathy
Shock
Toxicity of digitalis, quinidine

ECG: left vs. right bundle block
"WiLLiaM MaRRoW":
W pattern in V1-V2 and M pattern in V3-V6 is Left bundle block.
M pattern in V1-V2 and W in V3-V6 is Right bundle block.
_ Note: consider bundle branch blocks when QRS complex is wide.
ECG: T wave inversion causes
INVERT:
Ischemia
Normality [esp. young, black]
Ventricular hypertrophy
Ectopic foci [eg calcified plaques]
RBBB, LBBB
Treatments [digoxin]

Exercise ramp ECG: contraindications
RAMP:
Recent MI
Aortic stenosis
MI in the last 7 days
Pulmonary hypertension

Heart compensatory mechanisms that 'save' organ blood flow during shock
"Heart SAVER":
Symphatoadrenal system
Atrial natriuretic factor
Vasopressin
Endogenous digitalis-like factor
Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system
_ In all 5, system is activated/factor is released

Heart failure: signs
TAPED TORCH:
Tachycardia
Ascites
Pulsus alternans
Elevated jugular venous pressure
Displaced apex beat
Third heart sound
Oedema
Right ventricular heave
Crepitations or wheeze
Hepatomegaly (tender)

Heart murmurs
"hARD ASS MRS. MSD":
hARD: Aortic Regurg = Diastolic
ASS: Aortic Stenosis = Systolic
MRS: Mitral Regurg = Systolic
MSD: Mitral Stenosis = Diastolic

Jugular venous pressure (JVP) elevation: causes
HOLT: Grab Harold Holt around the neck and throw him in the ocean:
Heart failure
Obstruction of venea cava
Lymphatic enlargement - supraclavicular
Intra-Thoracic pressure increase

JVP: wave form
ASK ME:
Atrial contraction
Systole (ventricular contraction)
Klosure (closure) of tricusps, so atrial filling
Maximal atrial filling
Emptying of atrium

MI: basic management
BOOMAR:
Bed rest
Oxygen
Opiate
Monitor
Anticoagulate
Reduce clot size

MI: signs and symptoms
PULSE:
Persistent chest pains
Upset stomach
Lightheadedness
Shortness of breath
Excessive sweating

MI: therapeutic treatment
ROAMBAL:
Reassure
Oxygen
Aspirin
Morphine (diamorphine)
Beta blocker
Arthroplasty
Lignocaine

MI: therapeutic treatment
"O BATMAN!":
Oxygen
Beta blocker
ASA
Thrombolytics (eg heparin)
Morphine
Ace prn
Nitroglycerin

MI: therapeutic treatment
MONAH:
Morphine
Oxygen
Nitrogen
Aspirin
Heparin

MI: treatment of acute MI
COAG:
Cyclomorph
Oxygen
Aspirin
Glycerol trinitrate

Mitral regurgitation
When you hear holosystolic murmurs, think "MR-THEM ARE holosystolic murmurs".

Mitral stenosis (MS) vs. regurgitation (MR): epidemiology [ID 996]
MS is a female title (Ms.) and it is female predominant.
MR is a male title (Mr.) and it is male predominant.

Murmur attributes
"IL PQRST" (person has ill PQRST heart waves):
Intensity
Location
Pitch
Quality
Radiation
Shape
Timing

Murmurs: innocent murmur features
8 S's:
Soft
Systolic
Short
Sounds (S1 & S2) normal
Symptomless
Special tests normal (X-ray, EKG)
Standing/ Sitting (vary with position)
Sternal depression

Murmurs: locations and descriptions
"MRS A$$":
MRS: Mitral Regurgitation--Systolic
A$$: Aortic Stenosis--Systolic

Murmurs: louder with inspiration vs expiration
LEft sided murmurs louder with Expiration
RIght sided murmurs louder with Inspiration.

Murmurs: questions to ask
SCRIPT:
Site
Character (eg harsh, soft, blowing)
Radiation
Intensity
Pitch
Timing

Murmurs: right vs. left loudness [ID 475]
"RILE":
Right sided heart murmurs are louder on Inspiration.
Left sided heart murmurs are loudest on Expiration.

Murmurs: systolic
MR PV TRAPS:
Mitral
Regurgitation and
Prolaspe
VSD
Tricupsid
Regurgitation
Aortic and
Pulmonary
Stenosis

Murmurs: systolic types
SAPS:
Systolic
Aortic
Pulmonic
Stenosis
_ Systolic murmurs include aortic and pulmonary stenosis.
_ Similarly, it's common sense that if it is aortic and pulmonary stenosis it could also be mitral and tricusp regurgitation].

Murmurs: systolic vs. diastolic
PASS: Pulmonic & Aortic Stenosis=Systolic.
PAID: Pulmonic & Aortic Insufficiency=Diastolic.
Knowledge Level 1, System: Cardiovascular
W. Ciulla, RN, PA-C New Life Medical Clinic
Murmurs: systolic vs. diastolic Hi Yield [ID 980]
Systolic murmurs: MR AS: "MR. ASner".
Diastolic murmurs: MS AR: "MS. ARden".


Myocardial infarctions: treatment
INFARCTIONS:
IV access
Narcotic analgesics (eg morphine, pethidine)
Facilities for defibrillation (DF)
Aspirin/ Anticoagulant (heparin)
Rest
Converting enzyme inhibitor
Thrombolysis
IV beta blocker
Oxygen 60%
Nitrates
Stool Softeners

Pericarditis: causes
CARDIAC RIND:
Collagen vascular disease
Aortic aneurysm
Radiation
Drugs (such as hydralazine)
Infections
Acute renal failure
Cardiac infarction
Rheumatic fever
Injury
Neoplasms
Dressler's syndrome

Pericarditis: EKG
"PericarditiS":
PR depression in precordial leads.
ST elevation.

Peripheral vascular insufficiency: inspection criteria
SICVD:
Symmetry of leg musculature
Integrity of skin
Color of toenails
Varicose veins
Distribution of hair

Pulseless electrical activity: causes
PATCH MED:
Pulmonary embolus
Acidosis
Tension pneumothorax
Cardiac tamponade
Hypokalemia/ Hyperkalemia/ Hypoxia/ Hypothermia/ Hypovolemia
Myocardial infarction
Electrolyte derangements
Drugs

Rheumatic fever: Jones 5 major criteria
STREP:
Sydenhams chorea
Transient migratory arthritis
Rheumatic subcutaneous nodules
Erythema marginatum
Pancarditis (endocarditis, myocarditis, pericarditis)
_ STREP, since Rheumatic fever is caused by group A strep.

Rheumatic fever: Jones criteria
_ Major criteria: CANCER:
Carditis
Arthritis
Nodules
Chorea
Erythema
Rheumatic anamnesis
_ Minor criteria: CAFE PAL:
CRP increased
Arthralgia
Fever
Elevated ESR
Prolonged PR interval
Anamnesis of rheumatism
Leucocytosis

Rheumatic fever: Jones major criteria
JONES:
Joints (migrating polyarthritis)
Obvious, the heart (carditis, pancarditis, pericarditis, endocarditis or valvulits)
Nodes (subcutaneous nodules)
Erythema marginatum
Sydenham's chorea

Rheumatic fever: Revised Jones criteria
JONES PEACE:
_ Major criteria:
Joints: migratory
O (heart shaped) Carditis: new onset murmur
Nodules, subcutaneous: extensor surfaces
Erythema marginatum
Sydenham's chorea
_ Minor criteria:
PR interval, prolonged
ESR elevated
Arthralgias
CRP elevated
Elevated temperature (fever)
_ Need 2 major or 1 major and 2 minor criteria, plus evidence of recent GAS infection (throat cx, rapid antigen test, or rising strep antibody titer).

Rheumatic fever: Revised Jones' criteria
JONES crITERIA:
_ Major criteria:
Joint (arthritis)
Obvious (Cardiac)
Nodule (Rheumatic)
Erythema marginatum
Sydenham chorea
_ Minor criteria:
Inflammatory cells (leukocytosis)
Temperature (fever)
ESR/CRP elevated
Raised PR interval
Itself (previous Hx of Rheumatic fever)
Arthralgia

Sino-atrial node: innervation
Sympathetic acts on Sodium channels (SS).
Parasympathetic acts on Potassium channels (PS).

Sinus bradycardia: aetiology
"SINUS BRADICARDIA"
Sleep
Infections (myocarditis)
Neap thyroid (hypothyroid)
Unconsciousness (vasovagal syncope)
Subnormal temperatures (hypothermia)
Biliary obstruction
Raised CO2 (hypercapnia)
Acidosis
Deficient blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
Imbalance of electrolytes
Cushing's reflex (raised ICP)
Aging
Rx (drugs, such as high-dose atropine)
Deep anaesthesia
Ischemic heart disease
Athletes

Sinus tachycardia
TACH FEVER:
Tamponade/ Thyrotoxicosis
Anemia
CHF
Hypotension
Fever
Excrutiating pain
Volume depletion
Exercise
Rx (Theo, Dopa, Epi, etc)

ST elevation causes in ECG
ELEVATION:
Electrolytes
LBBB
Early repolarization
Ventricular hypertrophy
Aneurysm
Treatment (eg pericardiocentesis)
Injury (AMI, contusion)
Osborne waves (hypothermia)
Non-occlusive vasospasm

Supraventricular tachycardia: treatment
ABCDE:
Adenosine
Beta-blocker
Calcium channel antagonist
Digoxin
Excitation (vagal stimulation)

Ventricular tachycardia: treatment
LAMB:
Lidocaine
Amiodarone
Mexiltene/ Magnesium
Beta-blocker