Myocarditis is inflammation of the myocardium. Inflammation may cause severe, acute heart failure, which may require organ support or an emergency heart transplant in fulminant cases. The majority of cases are caused by viruses. It often occurs with pericarditis (myopericarditis).…
Overview Encountering an added sound while auscultating the chest can be exciting and confusing. You need to determine: Once you have ascertained the above then try to describe the murmur as done below: Extra cardiac sounds don’t follow the predictable…
Syncope is a transient loss of consciousness due to global cerebral hypoperfusion that occurs with rapid onset, short duration, and spontaneous complete recovery. This definition excludes other causes of loss of consciousness, such as epilepsy. Reflex syncope is the most…
Syncope is defined as a transient, self-limited loss of consciousness with an inability to maintain postural tone that is followed by spontaneous recovery. Occurs as a consequence of global cerebral hypoperfusion.
Overview Chest pain is the most frequent complaint in the emergency department, and the most common cause is reflux. Nevertheless, approach these patients with an index of suspicion (especially if older) As with any complaint of pain, you need to…
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is characterised by hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes, resulting in thickened ventricular walls and reduced volume of the lumen. It may lead to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, since the heart can contract properly, but its ability to relax…
Dilated cardiomyopathy is characterized by decreased contractility, thickened ventricular walls, and increased luminal volume. It may lead to heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.
Restrictive cardiomyopathy is characterised by decreased right atrial compliance, which manifests as a significantly elevated jugular venous pressure and prominent right heart failure.
Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy is characterised by left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, myocardial hypertrophy, and diastolic dysfunction. It is commonly caused by genetic mutations in sarcomere proteins. There is a hypertrophied interventricular septum, which blocks blood from flowing through the aortic…
Cardiomyopathies are disease processes that affect the myocardium – the contractile portion of the heart. They are characterized by impaired filling and contractility of the heart, which leads to increased pulmonary hydrostatic pressure and congestive heart failure symptoms. There may…