Cardiomyopathy and Echocardiography - Lecture Flashcards

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering definitions of key cardiology terms from the lecture notes.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)

A cardiomyopathy characterized by dilation of all heart chambers with impaired global systolic function.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM/HOCM)

A cardiomyopathy with thickened myocardium causing dynamic LV outflow tract obstruction, often with a small LV cavity.

Systolic anterior motion (SAM) of the mitral valve

Anterior movement of the mitral valve leaflets into the LVOT during systole, contributing to obstruction.

Asymmetric septal hypertrophy (ASH)

Uneven thickening of the interventricular septum, typical in HOCM.

Small LV cavity

Reduced left ventricular cavity size often seen with HOCM due to septal hypertrophy.

Increased septal thickness

Marked thickening of the interventricular septum, characteristic of HCM.

B-notch (M-mode aortic valve sign)

A notch on the aortic valve M-mode trace seen in HOCM, indicating obstruction.

Mid-systolic notching (aortic valve)

Notch in the aortic valve trace during mid-systole; not a hallmark sign of HOCM.

Mid-systolic notching (pulmonary valve)

Not typically associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy as seen on M-mode.

Ground-glass/speckled IVS appearance

Speckled or ground-glass look of the interventricular septum on 2D echo, often seen in restrictive/infiltrative cardiomyopathies.

Interventricular septum (IVS) speckling

A speckled myocardial appearance on imaging associated with infiltrative diseases.

Myocardium

The muscular middle layer of the heart responsible for contraction; affected in cardiomyopathies.

LVOT gradient

Dynamic pressure gradient across the left ventricular outflow tract caused by obstruction.

Systolic high-velocity, late-peaking CW Doppler signal

Doppler pattern indicative of LVOT obstruction, common in HOCM.

A dip (M-mode finding)

A dip in the M-mode trace associated with increased left ventricular end-diastolic pressure.

HOCM in pregnancy

Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy that may present or worsen during pregnancy due to hemodynamic changes.

Sarcoidosis

Multisystem granulomatous disease; cardiac involvement can cause heart failure and dysrhythmias.

Amyloidosis

Extracellular deposition of amyloid protein causing stiff, restrictive cardiomyopathy and sometimes pericardial effusion.

Hemochromatosis

Iron overload disorder that can cause cardiomyopathy through iron deposition in the heart.

Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)

Device used to prevent sudden cardiac death by terminating malignant arrhythmias.

Restrictive/infiltrative cardiomyopathy

Diastolic dysfunction with stiff ventricles; may resemble constrictive pericarditis.

Alcohol as a cause of dilated cardiomyopathy

Alcohol abuse can lead to dilated cardiomyopathy.

Viral infection as a cause of dilated cardiomyopathy

Viral myocarditis can result in dilated cardiomyopathy.

Chemotherapy as a cause of dilated cardiomyopathy

Certain chemotherapeutic agents can cause dilated cardiomyopathy.

All of the above (alcohol, viral, chemotherapy) as DCM etiology

All listed factors can contribute to dilated cardiomyopathy.

Beta blockers

First-line pharmacologic therapy to reduce LVOT obstruction and symptoms in HOCM.

Calcium channel blockers

Medications used to reduce LVOT obstruction and symptoms in HOCM (e.g., verapamil, diltiazem).

Digitalis

Not recommended as a primary therapy for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM).

Amiodarone

Antiarrhythmic that may be used in HOCM for rhythm control in select cases.

Incomplete closure of mitral valve (MV)

MR due to annular dilation or MV dysfunction, seen in dilated cardiomyopathy.

Chagas disease

Parasitic infection (Trypanosoma cruzi) causing cardiomyopathy.

Pompe’s disease

Glycogen storage disease type II; causes early-life cardiomyopathy with glycogen accumulation.

Idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic cardiomyopathy (IHSCM)

Another name for idiopathic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HOCM).

Noncompaction cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy with persistent intramyocardial trabeculations and sinusoids in the left ventricle.

Endomyocardial fibrosis

Fibrosis of the endomyocardium; primary cause is hypereosinophilia in many cases.

Fractional shortening (FS)

Systolic function index; FS < 25% indicates reduced systolic function, typical of DCM.

E-point septal separation (EPSS)

Measurement used to assess systolic function; EPSS >7 mm suggests reduced systolic function.

TEI index (Myocardial performance index)

An index combining systolic and diastolic function to evaluate overall cardiac performance.

Parietal and visceral layers of the pericardium

Two layers that make up the pericardium; inflammation here defines pericarditis.