Cardiac Pharmacology and Diagnostics

Cardiac Medications, Diagnostics, and Clinical Concepts Revision Sheet

1. 📌 Essentials

• Nitroglycerin: Vasodilator for angina relief, sublingual route. Aspirin (ASA): Antiplatelet, prevents clot growth in MI.
• Thrombolytics (tPA): Dissolve clots, must be administered within 3-4.5 hours of stroke.
• Anticoagulants: Warfarin (INR 2-3), HeparinaPTT), prevent stroke/DVT/PE.
• Statins: Lower LDL cholesterol, reduce atherosclerosis risk.
• EKG: ST elevation indicates STEMI; T wave inversions suggest ischemia.
• Lung sounds: Crackles (fluid), wheezes (narrowed airways), rhonchi, stridor.
• Hypertension stages: Normal (<120/80), Elevated (120-129/<80), Stage 1 (130-139/80-89), Stage 2 (≥140/90).
• Pulse points: Radial, carotid, brachial, femoral, popliteal, dorsalis pedis, posterior tibial.
• Cardiac emergency drugs: Nitroglycerin, aspirin, thrombolytics, epinephrine, atropine.

2. 🧩 Key Structures & Components

• Coronary arteries — supply blood to the heart muscle.
• Myocardium — heart muscle tissue responsible for contraction.
• Valves (mitral, tricuspid, aortic, pulmonary) — regulate blood flow direction.
• Conduction system — SA node, AV node, bundle of His, Purkinje fibers.
• EKG leads — record electrical activity from different heart regions.
• Pulse points — accessible sites for assessing circulation.

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