Myocarditis
Definition It is the inflammation of the myocardium(middle layer) of heart. Causes 1. Infection: –– Viral—Coxsackie A and B, influenza A and B. –– Bacterial—Streptococcus, Pneumococcus, Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease).…
Pericardiocentesis
Definition It is the aspiration of pericardial fluid. Done under ultrasonographic or echocardiographic guidance. Aspiration needle is introduced through the left costoxiphoid junction, directed upwards, backward, and towards the left…
Atrial Fibrillation
What is Atrial fibrillation? Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an arrhythmia where atria beat rapidly, chaotically and ineffectively, while the ventricles respond at irregular intervals, producing the characteristic irregularly irregular pulse.…
Pericardial Effusion
Definition Accumulation of fluid in the space between parietal and visceral pericardium. Causes of Pericardial Effusion • After acute pericarditis (bacterial, viral). • Tuberculosis (most common). • Collagen diseases (SLE,…
Acute Pericarditis
Definition It is the acute inflammation of the pericardium (The outer layer of cardiac muscle) called Acute Pericarditis. Causes of Acute Pericarditis • Viral (coxsackie B, echovirus)—common cause. • Acute…
Chronic Constrictive Pericarditis
Definition It is a disease of heart muscle characterized by progressive thickening, fibrosis and calcification of pericardium. Commonly, involves right side of the heart. Causes • Infection—TB and coxsackie B…
Postpartum Cardiomyopathy
Definition If any patient develops cardiac failure in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy or within 6 months after delivery in the absence of previous heart disease, it is called postpartum…
Restrictive Cardiomyopathy
Definition Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) is a rare condition, in which ventricular filling is impaired because the ventricles are ‘stiff.’ This leads to high atrial pressures with atrial hypertrophy, dilatation, and…
Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Definition Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is characterised by dilatation and impaired contraction of the left and sometimes the right ventricle leading to progressive left-sided later right-sided heart failure. Functional mitral or…
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Definition of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a disease of the heart muscle characterized by hypertrophy of cardiac muscle with misalignment of the cardiac fibers.Hypertrophy may be generalized or…