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CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
Sharoon rufan
Nursing Faculty ( shalamar nursing
college)
OBJECTIVES
By the end of the unit, learners will be able to:
1. Describe the components of health history that should be elicited during the assessment of
cardiovascular system.
2. Identify the landmarks of the chest.
Describe the following:
Pulse rate, rhythm and pulsation characteristics
PMI
Heart sounds
Discuss systolic and diastolic murmurs
4. Assess the cardiovascular system systematically.
5. Document findings.
6. List the changes in cardiovascular system that is characteristics of aging process.
ANATOMY OF THE HEART
Four Chambers:
Four Valves:
Right atrium Two atrio-ventricular (AV)
The patient is then asked to stand on his feet in order to bring the leg
below the heart level.
TRENDELENBURG TEST
Method Cont…
Normally, the superficial saphenous veins will fill from below
within 3-5 seconds as blood from the capillary bed reaches the
veins.
3. Pulsus bisferiens
Two systolic peaks are palpable in one pulse (seen in aortic stenosis & aortic
regurgitation).
CHARACTER OF THE PULSE
4) Pulsus paradoxus
This is an exaggeration of a normal phenomenon in which pulse either
becomes weak or impalpable during inspiration. (seen in cardiac
temponade & constrictive pericarditis)
5) Pulsus alternans
A strong beat is followed by a weak beat but the interval between beats
is constant and rhythm is regular (SVT and ventricular failure).
6) Pulsus bigeminus
Similar to pulsus alternans but interval between the beats is
variable. Digoxin toxicity is the most common cause.
MEASUREMENT OF B.P
Apply the cuff closely to the upper arm so that its lower
border is not less than 2.5 cm above the cubital fossa &
tubing is on the medial side.
Pulse pressure
It is the difference between systolic and diastolic pressure (normal range is
30-60 mmHg).
Silent Gap
In some hypertensive patients, the Korotokoff sounds
disappear for sometime between systolic and diastolic
pressure.This is called silent gap.
THE NECK VESSELS
The Carotid Artery
The Jugular Venous
Pulse & Pressures
Method:
Position the patient at 45 degree angle at the hip.
Turn head slightly away.
Use a strong light tangentially.
Observe the external jugular vein over the sternocleidomastoid
muscle.
Locate the internal jugular vein pulsations.
Determine the highest point of pulsations.
SPECIFIC PROCESS FOR JVP
MEASUREMENT
With your right hand on the patient’s RUQ, just below the rib
cage, exert firm consistent pressure for 30 seconds.
Palpation
Use the flat of the palm starting from the lower part of the left side of
the chest, then along the left parasternal border & finally upper part of
the right side of the chest.
Note the following:
Apex beat
Left parasternal heave
Palpable heart sounds
Thrill (palpable murmur)
Palpable pericardial rub
PALPATION CONTINUE….
The Apex Beat: It is defined as the outermost & lowermost part of the
precordium where a definite cardiac impulse is felt.
Location of apex beat
Normally it is located in the 5th ICS, 1cm medial to the Mid-clavicular line (MCL).
In children less than 7-years of age, the apex beat is located in the 4th intercostal space,
lateral to the mid clavicular line.
Shift of apex beat occurs if left ventricle is enlarged.
Causes of impalpable apex beat can be:
Thick chest wall
Emphysema
Pericardial effusion
Dextrocardia (Heart is in the right chest and therefore, apex beat will be palpable on the
right side)
PALPATION CONT…
Character of the Apex Beat
Normally apex beat is neither forceful (tapping) nor does it lift the palpating finger (heaving).
Thrills which are timed with carotid pulsations, are called systolic &
those which alternate with carotid pulsations, are diastolic
thrills.
For the left border, percuss in the 3rd to 5th ICS laterally to
medially, starting in the axilla.
Venous Hum
A continuous murmur like sound audible in the neck due to kinking of
larger neck veins. It is common in children.
MURMURS
Abnormal sounds, of longer duration as compared to normal
heart sounds. Any of the following mechanisms may be
responsible.
Velocity of blood increases across a normal valve (e.g.
exercise, thyrotoxicosis).
Flow of normal amount of blood across a narrowed valve
(e.g. aortic or mitral stenosis)
Structural defect in the valves or an unusual opening occurs
in the chambers (ASD,VSD).
Back flow of blood across abnormal valves (aortic and
mitral regurgitation).
SYSTOLIC MURMURS (TWO TYPES)
Pansystolic
It starts with S1 & goes up to or beyond S2. (mitral and
tricuspid regurgitation, VSD).
Ejection Systolic Murmur
It starts slightly after S1 ends before S2. (Aortic and
pulmonary stenosis).
DIASTOLIC MURMURS (TWO TYPES)
Mid Diastolic Murmur
It is audible in the middle of diastole (Mitral and tricuspid stenosis,
ASD).
Early Diastolic Murmur
It is audible soon after S2 (aortic and pulmonary regurgitation).
PAROXYSMAL NOCTURNAL DYSPNEA
Paroxysmal refers to symptoms that come on and pass quickly.
Nocturnal refers to occurring at nighttime or during sleep.
Dyspnea refers to difficult or uncomfortable breathing.
PND causes difficulty breathing during sleep, causing people to wake up due to
shortness of breath.
GRADING OF MURMURS
Murmurs are graded according to their intensity. Use VI point grading
scale and record as a fraction i.e. I/VI or II/VI)