Assessment of Cardiovascular System By Inna Korda MD

Assessment of Cardiovascular System By Inna. Korda, MD, Institute of Nursing, TSMU

Lecture Objectives: § Anatomy and physiology of cardiovascular system. § Developmental considerations § Transcultural considerations § History taking and physical examination § Main disorders of cardiovascular system: § Congenital heart defects. § Valvular defects. § Heart failure.

Structure of the Cardiovascular system

Anatomical Structure of the Heart

Common abbreviations used to refer to chambers: § § RA – right atrium § AV – atrioventricular valve RV – right ventricle § Left AV – left LA – left atrium atrioventricular valve § Right AV - right LV – left ventricle atrioventricular valve NB: No valves are present between major veins and atria. Hyperpressure leads to signs of congestion. § SL – semilunar valve

Topographical Landmarks of the Heart

Topographical Landmarks of the Heart § Precordium – the part of the ventral surface of the body overlying the heart and stomach and comprising the epigastrium and the lower median part of the thorax

Topographical Landmarks § Each area corresponds to one of the hearts 4 valves. § Aortic area - 2 nd ICS to right of sternum (closure of the aortic valve loudest here). § Pulmonic area - 2 nd ICS to left of sternum (closure of the pulmonic valve loudest here). § Tricuspid - 5 th ICS left of sternal border (closure of tricuspid valve). § Mitral - 5 th ICS left of the sternum just medial to MCL (closure of mitral valve). When cardiac output is increased as in anemia, anxiety, HTN, fever, the impulse may have greater force - inspect for lift or heave.

Normal Heart Sounds § The first heart sound - systolic S 1: § Signals the closure of AV valves and the beginning of systole. § Consists of mitral M 1 and tricuspid T 1 components. § Is loudest at the apex

§ The second heart sound - diastolic S 2: § Signals the closure of semilunar valves and the end of systole. § Consists of aortic A 2 and pulmonic P 2 components. § Is loudest at the base. § S 1 & S 2 correspond respectively to the familiar "lub dub" often used to describe the sounds.

Effect of respiration: Mo. Re to the Right heart Less to the Left § A split S 2 – when the aortic valve closes significantly earlier than the pulmonic valve, you can hear the two components separately.

Other Heart Sounds § Extra Heart Sounds: § S 3 § is the result of vibrations produced during ventricular filling. § is normally heard only in some children and young adults, but it is considered abnormal in older individuals. § S 4 § is caused by the recoil of vibrations between the atria and ventricles following atrial contraction, at the end of diastole. § is rarely heard as a normal heart sound; usually it is considered indicative of further cardiac evaluation.

Other Heart Sounds § Murmurs: § are produced by vibrations within the heart chambers or in the major arteries from the back and forth flow of blood. § are classified as: § 1. Innocent, occurring in individuals with no anatomic or physiologic abnormality. § 2. Functional, occurring in individuals with no anatomic cardiac defect but with a physiologic abnormality such as anemia. § 3. Organic, occurring in individuals with a cardiac defect with or without a physiologic abnormality.

The conduction system of the heart consists of four structures: § 1. The sinoatrial (SA) node, located within the rig atrial wall near the opening of the superior vena cava § 2. The atrioventricular (AV) node, also located within the right atrium but near the lower end of the septum § 3. The atrioventricular bundle (bundle of His), which extends from the atrioventricular node along each side of the interventricular septum § 4. Purkinje fibers, which extend from the atrioventricular bundle into the walls of the ventricles. The electric impulses from this conduction system can be recorded on an electrocardiogram.

Conduction System

Electrocardiography (ECG) § records the electrical impulses generated from the heart muscle and provides a graphic illustration of the summation of these impulses and their sequence and magnitude.

The ECG waves § P wave represents the electric activity associated with the sinoatrial node and the spread of the impulse over the atria. It is a wave of depolarization. § QRS complex (wave) is composed of three separate waves: the Q wave, the R wave, and the S wave. They are all caused by currents generated when the ventricles depolarize before their contraction. Because ventricular depolarization requires septal and right and left ventricular depolarization, the electrical wave depicting these events is more complex than the smooth P wave. § P-R interval is measured from the beginning of the P wave to the beginning of the QRS complex. It is termed P-R instead of PQ because frequently the Q wave is absent. This interval represents the time that elapses from the begin Q-T intervalning of atrial depolarization to the beginning of ventricular depolarization.

The ECG waves § The T wave represents repolarization of the ventricles. The Q-T interval begins with the QRS complex and ends with the completion of the T wave. It represents ventricular j depolarization and repolarization. This interval varies with j the heart rate. The faster the rate, the shorter the Q-T interval. Therefore in children this interval is normally shorter than in adults. § The S-T segment is normally an isoelectric (flat) line that I connects the end of the S wave to the beginning of the T wave. § The T-P interval represents atrial and ventricular polarization in anticipation of the next cardiac cycle.

Pumping Ability § 4 to 6 L of blood per min throughout the body § Preload – venous return § Afterload – the opposing pressure the ventricles must generate to open aortic valve.

Developmental Considerations § Infants: § Transition from fetal circulation to postnatal circulation. By 9 months anatomical closure of foramen ovale occurs. § S 1 and S 2 sounds similarly on auscultation. Pulse rate 120/min. § Horizontal position of the heart (till 7 -yearsold).

Developmental Considerations § Infants: § Apex impulse is located at the 4 th intercostal space 1 to 2 cm outward from left midclavicular line.

Developmental Considerations § The pregnant female: § By the end of pregnancy blood volume increases by 30 to 40 %. § Stroke volume and cardiac output are increased. § BP decreases due to vasodilation. § Pulse rate increases of 10 to 15 beats/min.

Developmental Considerations

Developmental Considerations § An aging adult: § The incidence of CV diseases increases with age: coronary artery disease, HBP, heart failure.

Transcultural considerations § Smoking: widely spread in some societies. § HBP: Afro-Americans, Mexican-Americans and Native Americans have higher risk of hypertension. § Serum cholesterol: during childhood (4 -19 yrs) Afro. American children have higher total cholesterol than Euro- and Mexican-Am. Children. This difference reverse during adulthood. § Obesity: more than 50% of Am. population are overweight. § Diabetes: the prevalence of diabetes increases in all groups in USA.

Physical Examination § Objectives: § Subjective data. § Health history data. § Preparation. § Inspection: general appearance, precordium. § Palpation: peripheral pulses, apical impulse. § Percussion. § Auscultation: heart sounds, murmurs. § Summary checklist.

Subjective data

Chest pain: Angina – an important cardiac symptom. “Clenched fist” sign is characteristic of angina. § Onset, location, character, aggravating and/or relieving factors § Character: crashing, stabbing, burning, vise-like. § Associated symptoms: sweating, ashen gray or pale skin, shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting, racing of heart, heart skips beat.

Subjective data § Dyspnea: Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (PND) occurs with heart failure. Classically, the person awakens after 2 hrs. of sleep, arises, and flings open the window with the perception of needing fresh air. § Cause, onset, duration, affection by position, § Does shortness of breath interfere with activities of daily living? § Orthopnea: § Is the need to assume a more upright position to breathe. § Note the exact number of pillows used.

Subjective data Hemoptysis is often a pulmonary problem, but also occurs with mitral stenosis § Cough: duration, frequency, type, coughing up sputum (color, odor, blood tinged, aggravating and/or relieving factors. § Fatigue: onset, relation to time of day? § Cyanosis or pallor: occurs with myocardial infarction or low cardiac output.

Subjective data § Edema: § Swelling of legs or dependent body part due to increased interstitial fluid. § Onset, recent change, relation to time of day, relieving factors, associated symptoms. § Nocturia: § Occurs with heart failure in the person who is ambulatory during the day.

History taking. § Past cardiac history: § ! Last ECG, stress ECG, serum chilesterol measurements, other heart tests? § Family cardiac history: § Family history of hypertension, diabetes, heart problems, coronary artery disease (CAD), sudden death at younger age? § Personal habits (cardiac risk factors): nutrition, smoking, alcohol, exercise, drugs.

Additional history § For infants: mother’s health during pregnancy, feeding habits, growth, activity. § For children: growth, activity, any joint pains or unexplained fever, frequent headaches or nosebleedings, streptococcal infection (tonsillitis). § For pregnant female: any high PB during this or previous pregnancies, associated signs (weight gain, proteinuria), dizziness. § For aging adult: any symptoms of heart diseases (HTN, CAD) or COPD, any recent changes, medications (digitalis), side effects; environment.

Preparation § Bring to lab: § Watch with second hand, § Stethoscope, § Marking pen and small centimeter ruler, § Alcohol swab (to clean endpiece). § Wear: § loose T-shirt or some other garment that allows for practice of physical assessment

Inspection § Skin colour (cyanosis, pallor) and condition § Any obvious bulging on anterior thorax at the left § Edema § Orhtopnea

Palpation § Palpate the apical impulse (the point of maximal impulse, or PMI): § Location: one intercostal space (usually 5 th ICS) at left MCL, § Size: normally 1 cm 2 cm, § Amplitude: normally a shot, gentle tap, § Duration: short, normally occupies only first half of systole. § Ask the client “to exhale then hold it” or turn him to the left side.

Palpation

Palpation § Palpate across the precordium for: § Other pulsations, § Thrill – palpable vibration due to strong heart murmur (like a purring cat), § Pericardial friction rubs are scratchy, highpitched grating sounds, similar to pleural friction rubs, except that they are not affected by changes in respiration. § Accentuated S 1 and S 2. § A diffuse impulse (lift, heave).

Palpation

Percussion § Is used to estimate approximately heart borders and configuration. § Recently is displaced by the chest x-ray or Echo. CG. § Helps to detect heart enlargement Heart (cardiac) enlargement is due to increased ventricular volume or thickening of heart wall. Occurs with HTN, CAD, heart failure, cardiomyopathy

Auscultation

Auscultation § A Z-pattern is recommended. § Before beginning alert the person for long duration of procedure. § Begin with diaphragm endpiece and use the following routing: § Note the rate § the rhythm § Identify S 1 and S 2 § Listen for extra heart sounds § Listen for murmurs

Auscultation (cont. ) Rhythm: § Regular § Irregular: § Synus arrythmia – common variation. Rate ↑ on inspiration and ↓ on expiration. § Regularly irregular § Irregularly irregular – no pattern to the sounds, beats come rapidly and at random intervals. § Pulse deficit – occurs with atrial fibrillation, heart failure, detects weak heart contractions.

Auscultation (cont. ) § Identify S 1 and S 2 § Location and amplitude, § Correlation with peripheral pulses, PMI § Correlation with ECG waves § “Lub” or “dup” § Give description of origin. § Listen to sounds separately: accentuation, split (fixed, paradoxical).

Auscultation (cont. ) § Extra heart sounds: § Midsystolic click § S 3: normal, pathological (ventricular gallop) § S 4: atrial gallop § Listen for murmurs: § Characteristics: timing, loudness, pitch, pattern, quality, location, radiation, posture

Grading murmurs § Grade I-VI: § Refers to the severity of a heart murmur (blowing, whooshing, or rasping sound), which is the result of vibrations caused by turbulent blood flow patterns. § Murmurs are classified ("graded") depending on their ability to be heard by the examiner. The grading is on a scale with grade I being barely detectable. § An example of a murmur description is a "grade II/VI murmur. " (This means the murmur is grade 2 on a scale of 1 to 6).

Murmurs are classified according to their timing within the cardiac cycle. § Systolic Between S 1 and S 2. § Diastolic Between S 2 and S 1). § Systolic ejection Begin after the first heart sound, attain a peak during midsystole, and terminate before the second heart sound. § Pansystolic or holosystolic During all of systole. § Pandiastolic or holodiastolic During all of diastole. § Prodiastolic Early diastolic. § Presystolic Late diastolic. § Continuous Continue through all of systole and all or part of diastole.

Timing of murmurs

Summary checklist

Conclusion § Function can be assessed to a large degree by findings in the history: shortness of breath (SOB), edema of ankles/legs, pain, pulse rate and rhythm; vital signs, signs and symptoms of oxygen deficit. § Location: Heart lies behind and to the left of the sternum. The upper portion or atria (BASE) lies to the back; the ventricles (APEX) points forward, the apex of the left ventricle actually touches the anterior chest wall near the left midclavicular line at or near the 5 th left ICS. Known as point of maximal impulse (PMI) and is where apical beat is assessed. Impulse is a good index of heart size. § Landmarks for assessment: The precordium is the area on the anterior chest overlying the heart. Hearts sounds are heard throughout the precordium, but there are 4 major areas for examining heart sounds.

Techniques of Assessment: § Inspection- look for lift at apex. § Auscultation- Client should be assessed in supine position with head up to 45 deg. ; examiner stands at right side. Use diaphragm for basic sounds; bell for murmurs and extra sounds. § Identify the heart rate, rhythm; bell for murmurs aortic, pulmonic, mitral.

Heart Sounds § There are 2 basic normal heart sounds and several abnormal ones. Normal: § S 1 (produced by closure of the atrioventricular valves, mitral and tricuspid)- at mitral area and tricuspid area S 1 is louder than S 2. The sound is a dull, low pitched “lub. ” § S 2 (produced by closure of aortic and pulmonic valve) is higher pitched, shorter and is the “dub” sound. Heard best at the base (aortic and pulmonic areas) where S 2 is louder than S 1 § Systole begins with the 1 st sound. As ventricles start to contract, pressure within exceeds the atria, shutting the mitral and tricuspid valves. Blood is forced into the great vessels. § When the ventricles have emptied themselves, the pressure in the aorta and pulmonary arteries force the semilunar valves shut (aortic/pulmonic), which is the 2 nd sound and diastole (ventricular relaxation) begins.

Other heart sounds § S 3 – rapid filling of the ventricle with blood; heard following S 2. Can be normal in young adults and children; pathologic in elderly. § S 4 – atrial contraction and thought to result from stiffened left ventricle; directly precedes S 1. Heard in elderly. § Extra sounds: snaps and clicks are associated with valves: aortic and mitral stenosis, prosthetic valves. § Murmurs: S 1 or S 2 is a swishing or blowing sounds caused by § § § Forward flow through a stenotic (narrowed) valve Increased flow through a normal valve Backward flow through a valve that fails to close (insufficiency).

§ Murmurs should be identified as systolic (S 1) or diastolic (S 2). Murmurs are common in children and occur often in the elderly. § Try to identify grade of murmur: Grade I (barely audible) to Grade VI (loud and may be heard with the stethoscope not quite on the chest or barely touching the chest). § Documentation: Normally, you should be able to note that S 1, S 2 heard without extra sounds.

§ Stenosis is a narrowing or constriction of the diameter of a bodily passage or orifice § Aneurysm is an abnormal enlargement or bulging of an artery caused by damage to or weakness in the blood vessel wall.