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:p. 29 Syncope Angina Dyspnoea
Aortic to right Subclavian path ABC'Sp. 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 Thugs Push Me Around. Tricuspid valve Pulmonary semilunar valve Mitral (bicuspid) valve Aortic semilunar valve
Apex beat: abnormalities found on palpation, causes of impalpable HILT:p. 29 Heaving Impalpable Laterally displaced Thrusting/ Tapping If it's impalpable, causes are COPD: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.
Atrial Fibrillation causes Pirates:p. 3 Pulmonary: PE, COPD Iatrogenic Rheumatic heart: mitral regurgitation Atherosclerotic: MI, CAD Thyroid: hyperthyroid Endocarditis Sick sinus syndrome
Atrial fibrillation management ABCD:p. 30 Anti-coagulate Beta-block to control rate Cardiovert Digoxin
Beck's triad (cardiac tamponade) 3 D's:p. 30 Diminished heart sounds Distended jugular veins Decreased arterial pressure
Betablockers: cardioselective betablockers Betablockers Acting Exclusively At Myocardium:p. 30 Betaxolol Acebutelol Esmolol Atenolol Metoprolol
CHF Treatment LMNOP Lasix Morphine Nitrites Oxygen VassoPressors
CHF: causes of exacerbation FAILUREp. 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 Arrhythmia 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
Coronary artery bypass graft: indications DUST:p. 31 Depressed ventricular function Unstable angina Stenosis of the left main stem Triple vessel disease
ECG: left vs. right bundle block WiLLiaM MaRRoW: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: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
Nail hemorrhage Emboli
Heart valve sequence Try Puling My Aorta: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.
Infarctions INFARCTIONSp. 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 MEp. 32 Atrial contraction Systole (ventricular contraction) Klosure (closure) of tricuspid valve, so atrial filling Maximal atrial filling Emptying of atrium
MI: basic management BOOMAR:p. 32 Bed rest Oxygen Opiate Monitor Anticoagulate Reduce clot size
MI: signs and symptoms PULSE:p. 32 Persistent chest pains Upset stomach Lightheadedness Shortness of breath Excessive sweating
MI: therapeutic treatment O BATMAN!p. 32 Oxygen Beta blocker ASA Thrombolytics (e.g. heparin) Morphine Ace prn Nitroglycerin
MI: treatment of acute MI COAG:p. 32 Cyclomorph Oxygen Aspirin Glycerol trinitrate
Murmur attributes "IL PQRST" (person has ill PQRST heart waves):p. 32 Intensity Location Pitch Quality Radiation Shape Timing
Murmurs: innocent murmur features 8 S's: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.p. 32
Murmurs: questions to ask SCRIPT: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.p. 32
Pericarditis: causes CARDIAC RIND: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:p. 34 PR depression in precordial leads. ST elevation.
Peripheral vascular insufficiency: inspection criteria SICVD:p. 34 Symmetry of leg musculature Integrity of skin Color of toenails Varicose veins Distribution of hair
Pulseless electrical activity: causes PATCH MED: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: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:p. 35 Adenosine Beta-blocker Calcium channel antagonist Digoxin Excitation (vagal stimulation)
Ventricular tachycardia: treatment LAMB:p. 35 Lidocaine Amiodarone Mexiltene/ Magnesium Beta-blocker
White Blood Cell Count Never let monkeys eat bananas: Neutrophils lymphocytes monocytes eosinophils basophils
References