Cardiomypathy, Infectious, inflammatory Cardiac Disorders

What is cardiomyopathy?

A disease of the heart muscle associated with cardiac dysfunction, classified by structural and functional abnormalities.

List the five classifications of cardiomyopathy.

Dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, restrictive/constrictive cardiomyopathy, arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia, and unclassified cardiomyopathy.

What is the most common form of cardiomyopathy?

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).

What is Ischemic cardiomyopathy?

An enlarging heart caused by coronary artery disease, usually accompanied by heart failure.

What are primary cardiomyopathies focused on?

Primarily on the heart muscle itself, including genetic, nongenetic, and acquired conditions.

What electrolyte is majorly involved in cardiomyopathy?

Sodium.

Describe the pathophysiology of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).

Characterized by significant ventricular dilation without simultaneous hypertrophy leading to poor systolic function and decreased ejection fraction.

What are the symptoms commonly experienced by a patient with heart failure due to cardiomyopathy?

PND, cough, orthopnea, peripheral edema, nausea, chest pain, palpitations, dizziness, and syncope.

What is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)?

An autosomal dominant condition that leads to increased heart muscle size and mass, often resulting in life-threatening arrhythmias.

What common screening methods are used for HCM?

12-lead ECG, physical examination, and echocardiograms.

What is the leading cause of sudden death in young athletes?

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).

What is the major complication associated with HCM?

Obstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT), which can lead to syncope and heart failure.

What is restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM)?

A form of cardiomyopathy characterized by rigid ventricular walls that impair diastolic filling.

What are common causes of restrictive cardiomyopathy?

Infiltrative diseases, storage diseases, noninfiltrative diseases, and endomyocardial diseases.

What is arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia (ARVC/D)?

An inherited muscle disease that leads to progression of the myocardium being replaced by fibrous scar and adipose tissue.

What are the common diagnostic tools for ARVC/D?

ECG, echocardiogram, cardiac MRI, and family history.

What is the primary indicator for performing a heart transplant?

Severe heart failure symptoms that are uncontrolled by medical therapy.

What role do ventricular assist devices (VADs) play in heart failure management?

Provide mechanical support for the heart in patients with end-stage heart failure or who are awaiting heart transplantation.

What is infective endocarditis?

A microbial infection of the heart's endocardium with a high mortality rate, typically occurring in those with prosthetic heart valves or defects.

What symptoms are associated with infective endocarditis?

Fever, heart murmur, and petechiae clusters on the body.

How is myocarditis characterized?

An inflammatory process affecting the myocardium, potentially leading to heart dilation and thrombi.

What is the most characteristic symptom of pericarditis?

Chest pain, particularly that worsens with deep inspiration or when lying down.

What is the primary method for diagnosing pericarditis?

History, signs and symptoms, echocardiogram.

What are the potential complications of pericarditis?

Fluid accumulation leading to cardiac tamponade.

What treatment options are often prescribed for pericarditis?

NSAIDs for pain relief, corticosteroids, colchicine, and possible pericardiocentesis.