List of cardiology mnemonics explained

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 stenosis characteristics

SAD:[1] p. 29

Syncope

Angina

Dyspnoea

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 Treatment

LMNOP

Lasix

Morphine

Nitrites

Oxygen

VassoPressors[4]

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 valve sequence

Try Puling My Aorta:[1] p. 3

Tricuspid

Pulmonary

Mitral (bicuspid)

Aorta

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: basic management

BOOMAR:[1] p. 32

Bed rest

Oxygen

Opiate

Monitor

Anticoagulate

Reduce clot size

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

MI: treatment of acute MI

COAG:[1] p. 32

Cyclomorph

Oxygen

Aspirin

Glycerol trinitrate

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

Pericarditis: EKG

PericarditiS:[1] p. 34

PR depression in precordial leads.

ST elevation.

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]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Anatomy . medicalmnemonics.com . 14 February 2015.
  2. Book: . 2010 . Mega List of Mnemonics for Nurses & Nursing Students . Examville Study Guides .
  3. http://nurseslabs.com/pharmacology-nursing-mnemonics-tips/ Pharmacology nursing mnemonics
  4. Book: Principles of Pathophysiology and Emergency Medical Care . Myers. Jeffrey W. . Neighbors. Marianne. Tannehill-Jones. Ruth. 144. Cengage Learning. 2002. 9780766825482.
  5. Web site: Cardiovascular Mnemonics - Oxford Medical Education. 2015-08-23.
  6. Web site: The Heart Block Poem. Nurseslabs. tumblr.com.
  7. Book: Connie Allen. Valerie Harper. Laboratory Manual for Anatomy and Physiology. 5 January 2011. John Wiley & Sons. 978-0-470-59890-0. 418–.