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Human Anatomy Case Study

Good Essays

Biol 1120
Cardiovascular Case Study
Name ______________________________________________

A 32-year old nurse who has rheumatic fever as a child noticed a persistent tachycardia and light-headedness. Upon examination, chest x rays showed an enlarged left atrium and left ventricle. ECG analysis showed atrial fibrillation. There was also mild pulmonary congestion. Cardiac evaluation resulted in the following information:

Cardiac output (CO) 3.2L/min. SV = 40mls Blood pressure (BP) 100/58 mm Hg Left Atrial pressure (LAP) 16 mm Hg Right ventricular pressure (RVP) 44/8 mm Hg

Heart sounds revealed valvular regurgitation

1. Answer all questions with material that explains your answer. Yes/no answers receive NO credit.
2. Submit …show more content…

The cause of the light-headedness is the decreased cardiac output. Her cardio output is 3.2L/min. SV = 40mls .The cause of the mild pulmonary congestion is increased pulmonary capillary pressure. Atrial fibrillation and decreased C/O and BP would cause dizziness. If the leak is large, it results in an increase in the pressure in the atrium. Her left atrial pressure is 16 mm Hg .Hypertrophy of the wall of the atrium can occur and the atrium might dilate. A backpressure of blood may then cause congestion of blood in the pulmonary veins, which bring blood to the left atrium from the lungs.

7. Site your references (1pts)

Web MD: Mitral Valve Prolapse:

http://www.webmd.com/heart/mitral-valve-prolapse-symptoms-causes-and-treatment

American Heart Association: tachycardia

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