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.Pharmacology nursing mnemonics
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