List of cardiology mnemonics
This is a list of cardiology mnemonics, categorized and alphabetized. For mnemonics in other medical specialities, see this list of medical mnemonics.
Aortic regurgitation: causes
CREAM:
Congenital
Rheumatic damage
Endocarditis
Aortic dissection/ Aortic root dilatation
Marfan’s
Aortic to right Subclavian path
ABC'S[1]p. 1
Aortic arch gives rise to:
Brachiocephalic trunk
Left Common Carotid
Left Subclavian
Heart valves (right to left)
Toilet Paper My Ass, or They Pay Me Alcohol, or "T"hugs "P"ush "Me" "A"round. [2]
Tricuspid valve
Pulmonary semilunar valve
Mitral (bicuspid) valve
Aortic semilunar valve
Apex beat: abnormalities found on palpation, causes of impalpable
HILT:[1]p. 29
Heaving
Impalpable
Laterally displaced
Thrusting/ Tapping
If it's impalpable, causes are COPD:[1]p. 29
COPD
Obesity
Pleural, Pericardial effusion
Dextrocardia
Atrial Arrhythmias
Anticoagulants: To prevent embolization.
Beta blockers: To block the effects of certain hormones on the heart to slow the heart rate.
Calcium Channel Blockers: Help slow the heart rate by blocking the number of electrical impulses that pass through the AV node into the lower heart chambers (ventricles).
Digoxin: Helps slow the heart rate by blocking the number of electrical impulses that pass through the AV node into the lower heart chambers (ventricles).
Electrocardioversion: A procedure in which electric currents are used to reset the heart's rhythm back to regular pattern.[3]
Atrial Fibrillation causes
Pirates:[1]p. 3
Pulmonary: PE, COPD
Iatrogenic
Rheumatic heart: mitral regurgitation
Atherosclerotic: MI, CAD
Thyroid: hyperthyroid
Endocarditis
Sick sinus syndrome
Atrial fibrillation management
ABCD:[1]p. 30
Anti-coagulate
Beta-block to control rate
Cardiovert
Digoxin
Beck's triad (cardiac tamponade)
3 D's:[1]p. 30
Diminished heart sounds
Distended jugular veins
Decreased arterial pressure
Betablockers: cardioselective betablockers
Betablockers Acting Exclusively At Myocardium:[1]p. 30
Betaxolol
Acebutelol
Esmolol
Atenolol
Metoprolol
CHF: causes of exacerbation
FAILURE[1]p. 30
Forgot medication
Arrhythmia/ Anaemia
Ischemia/ Infarction/ Infection
Lifestyle: taken too much salt
Upregulation of CO: pregnancy, hyperthyroidism
Renal failure
Embolism: pulmonary
Complications of Myocardial Infarction
Darth Vader
Death
Arrythmia
Rupture(free ventricular wall/ ventricular septum/ papillary muscles)
Tamponade
Heart failure (acute or chronic)
Valve disease
Aneurysm of Ventricles
Dressler's Syndrome
thromboEmbolism (mural thrombus)
Recurrence/ mitral Regurgitation[5]
Coronary artery bypass graft: indications
DUST:[1]p. 31
Depressed ventricular function
Unstable angina
Stenosis of the left main stem
Triple vessel disease
ECG: left vs. right bundle block
WiLLiaM MaRRoW:[1]p. 31
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.
Exercise ramp ECG: contraindications
RAMP:[1]p. 31
Recent MI
Aortic stenosis
MI in the last 7 days
Pulmonary hypertension
Endocarditis
FROM JANE:
Fever
Roth's spots
Osler's nodes
Murmur of heart
Janeway lesions
Anemia
Emboli
Heart blocks
If the R is far from P, then you have a First Degree.
Longer, longer, longer, drop! Then you have a Wenkebach.
if some P's don't get through, then you have Mobitz II.
If P's and Q's don't agree, then you have a Third Degree.[6]
Infarctions
INFARCTIONS[1]p. 34
IV access
Narcotic analgesics (e.g. morphine, pethidine)
Facilities for defibrillation (DF)
Aspirin/ Anticoagulant (heparin)
Rest
Converting enzyme inhibitor
Thrombolysis
IV beta blocker
Oxygen 60%
Nitrates
Stool Softeners
JVP: wave form
ASK ME[1]p. 32
Atrial contraction
Systole (ventricular contraction)
Klosure (closure) of tricuspid valve, so atrial filling
Maximal atrial filling
Emptying of atrium
MI: signs and symptoms
PULSE:[1]p. 32
Persistent chest pains
Upset stomach
Lightheadedness
Shortness of breath
Excessive sweating
MI: therapeutic treatment
O BATMAN![1]p. 32
Oxygen
Beta blocker
ASA
Thrombolytics (e.g. heparin)
Morphine
Ace prn
Nitroglycerin
Murmur attributes
"IL PQRST" (person has ill PQRST heart waves):[1]p. 32
Intensity
Loccasion
Pitch
Quality
Radiation
Shape
Timing
Murmurs: innocent murmur features
8 S's:[1]p. 32
Soft
Systolic
Short
Sounds (S1 & S2) normal
Symptomless
Special tests normal (X-ray, EKG)
Standing/ Sitting (vary with position)
Sternal depression
Murmurs: louder with inspiration vs expiration
LEft sided murmurs louder with Expiration
RIght sided murmurs louder with Inspiration.[1]p. 32
Murmurs: questions to ask
SCRIPT:[1]p. 32
Site
Character (e.g. harsh, soft, blowing)
Radiation
Intensity
Pitch
Timing
Murmurs: systolic vs. diastolic
PASS:Pulmonic & Aortic
Stenosis=Systolic.
PAID: Pulmonic & Aortic
Insufficiency=Diastolic.[1]p. 32
Pericarditis: causes
CARDIAC RIND:[1]p. 34
Collagen vascular disease
Aortic aneurysm
Radiation
Drugs (such as hydralazine)
Infections
Acute renal failure
Cardiac infarction
Rheumatic fever
Injury
Neoplasms
Dressler's syndrome
Peripheral vascular insufficiency: inspection criteria
SICVD:[1]p. 34
Symmetry of leg musculature
Integrity of skin
Color of toenails
Varicose veins
Distribution of hair
Pulseless electrical activity: causes
PATCH MED:[1]p. 34
Pulmonary embolus
Acidosis
Tension pneumothorax
Cardiac tamponade
Hypokalemia/ Hyperkalemia/ Hypoxia/ Hypothermia/ Hypovolemia
Myocardial infarction
Electrolyte derangements
Drugs
ST elevation causes in ECG
ELEVATION:[1]p. 34
Electrolytes
LBBB
Early repolarization
Ventricular hypertrophy
Aneurysm
Treatment (e.g. pericardiocentesis)
Injury (AMI, contusion)
Osborne waves (hypothermia)
Non-occlusive vasospasm
Supraventricular tachycardia: treatment
ABCDE:[1]p. 35
Adenosine
Beta-blocker
Calcium channel antagonist
Digoxin
Excitation (vagal stimulation)
Ventricular tachycardia: treatment
LAMB:[1]p. 35
Lidocaine
Amiodarone
Mexiltene/ Magnesium
Beta-blocker
White Blood Cell Count
Never let monkeys eat bananas:
Neutrophils
lymphocytes
monocytes
eosinophils
basophils[7]
References
- "Anatomy" (PDF). medicalmnemonics.com. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
- Mega List of Mnemonics for Nurses & Nursing Students. Examville Study Guides. 2010.
- Pharmacology nursing mnemonics
- Myers, Jeffrey W.; Neighbors, Marianne; Tannehill-Jones, Ruth (2002). Principles of Pathophysiology and Emergency Medical Care. Cengage Learning. p. 144. ISBN 9780766825482.
- "Cardiovascular Mnemonics - Oxford Medical Education". Retrieved 2015-08-23.
- "The Heart Block Poem". Nurseslabs. tumblr.com.
- Connie Allen; Valerie Harper (5 January 2011). Laboratory Manual for Anatomy and Physiology. John Wiley & Sons. pp. 418–. ISBN 978-0-470-59890-0.