Cardiovascular System Mnemonics: Unlock Heart and Vascular Knowledge

A

Aortic regurgitation causes: CREAM

Congenital
Rheumatic damage
Endocarditis
Aortic dissection/ Aortic root dilatation
Marfan’s
- Author: Jamal Khan Birmingham University Medical Student

Aortic stenosis characteristics Hi Yield: SAD

Syncope
Angina
Dyspnoea
- Reference: http://medicalmnemonics.com/

Apex beat abnormalities found on palpation, causes of impalpable: HILT

Heaving
Impalpable
Laterally displaced
Thrusting/ Tapping
If it is impalpable, causes are COPD:
COPD
Obesity
Pleural, Pericardial effusion
Dextrocardia
- Author: Sushant Varma Medical student, University of Sheffield, UK

Apex beat differential for impalpable apex beat: DOPES

Dextrocardia
Obesity
Pericarditis/ Pericardial tamponade/ Pneumothorax
Emphysema
Sinus inversus/ Student incompetence/ Scoliosis/ Skeletal abnormalities (eg pectus excavatum)
Fiona Hayes and Moses Lee Tong Chsia and Dalton Boyo UWCM, Cardiff, UK and Not Specified and Medical Student
- Reference: http://medicalmnemonics.com/

Atrial fibrillation causes: A S#!T

Alcohol
Stenosis (mitral valve)
Hypertension Infarction/ Ischaemia
Thyrotoxicosis
- Reference: http://medicalmnemonics.com/

Atrial fibrillation causes: PIRATES

Pulmonary: PE, COPD
Iatrogenic
Rheumatic heart: mirtral regurgitation
Atherosclerotic: MI, CAD
Thyroid: hyperthyroid
Endocarditis
Sick sinus syndrome
- Reference: http://medicalmnemonics.com/

Atrial fibrillation: management: ABCD

Anti -coagulate
Beta -block to control rate
Cardiovert
Digoxin
- Reference: http://medicalmnemonics.com/

B

Beck’s triad (cardiac tamponade): 3 D’s

Distant heart sounds
Distended jugular veins
Decreased arterial pressure
- Reference: http://medicalmnemonics.com/

Betablockers: cardioselective betablockers: “Betablockers Acting Exclusively At Myocardium”

Betaxolol
Acebutelol
Esmolol
Atenolol
Metoprolol
- Author: Diljot Singh Bedi GMCH Chandigarh, India

C

CHF: causes of exacerbation: FAILURE

Forgot medication
Arrhythmia/ Anaemia
Ischemia/ Infarction/ Infection
Lifestyle: taken too much salt
Upregulation of CO: pregnancy, hyperthyroidism
Renal failure
Embolism: pulmonary
- Author: Lau Yue Young Geoffrey

Coronary artery bypass graft indications: DUST

Depressed ventricular function
Unstable angina
Stenosis of the left main stem
Triple vessel disease
- Author: Sushant Varma Medical student, University of Sheffield, UK

Coronary artery bypass graft indications: DUST

Depressed ventricular function
Unstable angina
Stenosis of the left main stem
Triple vessel disease
- Author: Sushant Varma University of Sheffield, UK

D

Depressed ST-segment causes: DEPRESSED ST

Drooping valve (MVP)
Enlargement of LV with strain
Potassium loss (hypokalemia)
Reciprocal ST- depression (in I/W AMI)
Embolism in lungs (pulmonary embolism)
Subendocardial ischemia
Subendocardial infarct
Encephalon haemorrhage (intracranial haemorrhage)
Dilated cardiomyopathy
Shock
Toxicity of digitalis, quinidine
- Author: Dr. Sonali V

E

ECG: left vs. right bundle block: “WiLLiaM MaRRoW”

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.
Note: consider bundle branch blocks when QRS complex is wide.
- Reference: http://medicalmnemonics.com/

Exercise ramp ECG contraindications: RAMP

Recent MI
Aortic stenosis
MI in the last 7 days
Pulmonary hypertension
- Author: Sushant Varma University of Sheffield, UK

H

Heart compensatory mechanisms that ‘save’ organ blood flow during shock: “Heart SAVER”

Symphatoadrenal system
Atrial natriuretic factor
Vasopressin
Endogenous digitalis-like factor
Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system
In all 5, system is activated/factor is released
- Reference: http://medicalmnemonics.com/

J

JVP wave form: ASK ME

Atrial contraction
Systole (ventricular contraction)
Klosure (closure) of tricusps, so atrial filling
Maximal atrial filling
Emptying of atrium
- Author: Hafizur Rahman Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manc Medical School

M

MI basic management BOOMAR:

Bed rest
Oxygen
Opiate
Monitor
Anticoagulate
Reduce clot size
- Reference: http://medicalmnemonics.com/

MI signs and symptoms: PULSE

Persistent chest pains
Upset stomach
Lightheadedness
Shortness of breath
Excessive sweating
- Author: Sara Nemetz

MI therapeutic treatment: “O BATMAN!”

Oxygen
Beta blocker
ASA
Thrombolytics (eg heparin)
Morphine
Ace prn
Nitroglycerin
- Author: Kristy Thomas, PA-C Mesquite Medical Associates, Mesquite, N

MI: therapeutic treatment: MONAH

Morphine
Oxygen
Nitrogen
Aspirin
Heparin
- Reference: http://medicalmnemonics.com/

MI: treatment of acute MI: COAG

Cyclomorph
Oxygen
Aspirin
Glycerol trinitrate
- Author: Alan Desmond Cork University Hospital

Mitral stenosis (MS) vs. regurgitation (MR): epidemiology

MS is a female title (Ms.) and it is female predominant.
MR is a male title (Mr.) and it is male predominant.
- Reference: http://medicalmnemonics.com/

Murmur attributes: “IL PQRST” (person has ill PQRST heart waves)

Intensity
Location
Pitch
Quality
Radiation
Shape
Timing
- Author: Ghassan Abu Said 4th year Medical Student

Murmurs: innocent murmur features 8 S’s:

Soft
Systolic
Short
Sounds (S1 & S2) normal
Symptomless Special tests normal (X-ray, EKG)
Standing/ Sitting (vary with position)
Sternal depression
- Author: Ziad Jaradat Jordan University School of Medicine

Murmurs louder with inspiration vs expiration: SCRIPT

Site
Character (eg harsh, soft, blowing)
Radiation
Intensity
Pitch
Timing
- Author: Jamal Khan Birmingham University Medical Student

Murmurs: right vs. left loudness: “RILE”

Right sided heart murmurs are louder on Inspiration.
Left sided heart murmurs are loudest on Expiration.
- Reference: http://medicalmnemonics.com/

Murmurs: systolic vs. diastolic

PASS: Pulmonic & Aortic Stenosis= Systolic.
PAID: Pulmonic & Aortic Insufficiency= Diastolic
- Author: Ciulla, RN, PA -C New Life Medical Clinic

Myocardial infarctions: treatment: INFARCTIONS

IV access
Narcotic analgesics (eg morphine, pethidine)
Facilities for defibrillation (DF)
Aspirin/ Anticoagulant (heparin)
Rest
Converting enzyme inhibitor
Thrombolysis
IV beta blocker
Oxygen 60%
Nitrates
Stool Softeners
- Reference: http://medicalmnemonics.com/

P

Pericarditis causes: CARDIAC RIND

Collagen vascular disease
Aortic aneurysm
Radiation
Drugs (such as hydralazine)
Infections
Acute renal failure
Cardiac infarction
Rheumatic fever
Injury
Neoplasms
Dressler’s syndrome
- Reference: http://medicalmnemonics.com/

Pericarditis EKG: “PericarditiS”

PR depression in precordial leads.
ST elevation.
- Reference: http://medicalmnemonics.com/

Peripheral vascular insufficiency inspection criteria: SICVD

Symmetry of leg musculature
Integrity of skin
Color of toenails
Varicose veins
Distribution of hair
- Author: Jeffrey Turner Memorial University, Canada

Pulseless electrical activity causes PATCH MED:

Pulmonary embolus
Acidosis
Tension pneumothorax
Cardiac tamponade
Hypokalemia/ Hyperkalemia/ Hypoxia/ Hypothermia/ Hypovolemia
Myocardial infarction
Electrolyte derangements
Drugs
- Author: Will Anderson University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

R

Rheumatic fever Revised Jones’ criteria: JONES crITERIA:

Major criteria:
Joint (arthritis)
Obvious (Cardiac)
Nodule (Rheumatic)
Erythema marginatum
Sydenham chorea
Minor criteria:
Inflammatory cells (leukocytosis)
Temperature (fever)
ESR/CRP elevated
Raised PR interval
Itself (previous Hx of Rheumatic fever)
Arthralgia
- Author: Anthony Chan Chinese University of Hong Kong

S

ST elevation causes in ECG: ELEVATION

Electrolytes
LBBB
Early repolarization
Ventricular hypertrophy
Aneurysm
Treatment (eg pericardiocentesis)
Injury (AMI, contusion)
Osborne waves (hypothermia)
Non-occlusive vasospasm
- Author: Ken Evans Saskatchewan Health, Acute and Emergency Services