STRUCTURAL + INFLAMMATORY HEART DISORDERS

What is pericarditis?

• acute pericardium inflammation

• causes chest pain and fever

• can occur from infection or surgery

• is treated with anti inflammatory drugs

What is cardiomyopathy?

• disorder that affects the myocardium

• some idiopathic cases

• some genetic cases

• some are acquired due to inflammation

• can be classified as dilated or hypertrophic

What happens to the heart in dilated cardiomyopathy?

• ventricle volume increases because of stretched muscle

• the stretching reduces pumping ability

What causes dilated cardiomyopathy?

• inherited conditions

• infection

• chemotherapy

What are the manifestations and complications of dilated cardiomyopathy?

• dyspnea

• orthopnea

• reduced exercise capacity

• commonly leads to heart failure

• common reason for heart transplant

What happens to the heart in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?

• the interventricular septum thickens

  • this decreases left ventricle size

  • this obstructs blood outflow from the left ventricle

What causes hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?

• is an inherited condition

• is the most common type of cardiomyopathy

What are the manifestations of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?

• very asymptomatic

• angina

• dyspnea

• reduced exercise capacity

What is the broken heart syndrome?

• changes in left ventricle shape

  • occurs after intense emotional and physical stress

• effects are temporary

• usually recovered within 2 months

What causes valvular dysfunction?

• is congenital or acquired

• rheumatic heart disease is the most common acquired cause

• commonly affects the aortic and mitral valves

What are the types and effects of valvular dysfunction?

• stenosis which is valve narrowing

• incompetence / regurgitation which is where valves don’t close properly and allows blood backflow

• abnormal blood flow occurs which cause murmurs

What is valvular stenosis?

• narrowing of the valve opening

• this causes turbulent blood flow

• can cause enlargement of the chamber that empties through the narrowed valve

What are incompetent / regurgitant valves?

• valve that don’t close properly

• this permits blood backflow