cardiac 3-4////2025-03-10T17:37:18.229Z

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

• Definition: CAD is the narrowing of the coronary artery that restricts blood flow to the heart muscle.

• Causes:

  • Primarily caused by atherosclerosis, the buildup of atheromatous plaque within the artery lumen.

  • Atherosclerosis results in the hardening of yellow fat in the body.

• Health Effects:

  • Reduced blood supply to the myocardium can lead to damage to heart muscle.

  • Symptoms of CAD may include angina pectoris, characterized by chest pain or squeezing sensation.

Treatment Options

• Coronary artery bypass surgery:

  • Involves removing a blood vessel from another area of the body and attaching it above and below the occluded artery to reroute blood flow.

• Balloon angioplasty:

  • A procedure that involves inflating a balloon within the artery to push plaque against the arterial walls, widening the artery.

• Medication:

  • Drugs that dilate blood vessels may be utilized to manage symptoms and improve blood flow.

• Surgical Techniques:

  • Bypass grafting, angioplasty, and endarterectomy (removal of plaque from an artery).

Atherosclerosis and Its Impact

• Atherosclerosis Process:

  • Develops over years, often becoming noticeable around age 40.

  • It leads to hardening (arteriosclerosis) and narrowing of blood vessels due to plaque buildup.

• Plaque Composition:

  • Made of calcium, low-density lipoproteins (LDL), and other materials.

  • Causes heart attacks and stroke due to significant arterial closure.

• Signs:

  • The presence of Lines of Zahn: significant calcification and plaque within occluded arteries.

Types of Arteriosclerosis

• Arteriosclerosis: A condition characterized by thickening and loss of elasticity of arterial walls.

  • Hypertensive: Associated with high blood pressure.

  • Munckeberg's medial: Calcification in the tunica media.

  • Nodular form: Buildup in the tunica intima.

  • Obliterans type: Leads to occlusion of vessels, especially affecting vision.

  • Senile form: Occurs in older adults.

Complications of Arteriosclerosis

• Conditions like Ischemia:

  • Restriction of blood flow to organs can lead to tissue necrosis and gangrene (e.g., seen in amputated limbs).

• Vascular Occlusion:

  • Refers to blockage at specific sites in a blood vessel causing ischemia.

• Thrombus and Embolus:

  • Thrombus: A clot formed on a vessel wall.

  • Embolus: A moving clot that can obstruct blood flow in distant areas.

Infarction and Associated Risks

• Infarct:

  • A localized area of tissue death due to lack of blood flow (ischemia).

• Types of Infarction:

  • Myocardial infarction: Leads to heart muscle death, potentially causing heart failure depending on the heart's ability to pump effectively.

• Causes: Either a resulting occlusion or narrowing (stenosis) of the blood vessels, whether by sudden clots or chronic conditions.

Heart Attack and Heart Function

• Consequences of Ischemia:

  • Can lead to myocardial necrosis. Lack of proper blood flow can result in heart failure.

• Heart Failure Symptoms:

  • Weakness, edema in extremities, dyspnea (difficulty breathing), and impaired function of various organs due to decreased blood supply.

• Diagnosis: Stress tests can be useful to determine cardiac ischemia.

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)

• Signs of CHF: Weakness, difficulty breathing, and accumulation of fluid (edema).

• Heart's Condition: Poor pumping capability leads to blood stagnation—losing effectiveness in transporting oxygen and nutrients to tissues.

• Types of heart failure: Various types, including congestive heart failure, each presenting unique challenges.

Angina Pectoris

• Definition: Chest pain resulting from insufficient blood flow through coronary arteries.

• Symptoms: Pain may radiate to left arm, shoulder, jaw, or back, often accompanied by anxiety, sweating, and shortness of breath.

• Management: Treatment options include sublingual nitroglycerin for pain relief and lifestyle changes.

Infections and Rheumatic Fever

• Rheumatic Fever: Caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, leading to joint swelling and potential heart valve damage.

• Symptoms: Include fever, joint pain, and abdominal pain. Can progress to endocarditis or other cardiac issues.

Septicemia and Its Implications

• Definition: Also known as blood poisoning, caused by bacteria in the blood.

• Symptoms: High fever, chills, petechiae (small purple spots), and conditions leading to systemic infection if untreated.

• Treatment: Typically requires antibiotics and immediate medical attention to prevent severe complications.

Cardiomyopathy

• Definition: Disease affecting the heart muscle, leading to changes in heart size and function.

• Symptoms: Congestive heart failure, fatigue, and pooling of blood.

• Treatment: Medications initially, with surgery potentially needed in advanced conditions.