Progress in cardiovascular diseases
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Pulmonary hypertension, a condition that can lead to right ventricular failure and hemodynamic collapse, can be very challenging to manage in critically ill patients who require the intensive care unit. Because of the underlying structure of the right ventricle, significant increases in right ventricular afterload initiate a vicious cycle of degenerating right ventricular function, giving rise to right ventricular failure and cardiogenic shock. ⋯ Important management principles include close monitoring of hemodynamics with both noninvasive and invasive modalities, optimization of right ventricular preload, maintenance of systemic blood pressure, enhancement of right ventricular contractility, reduction of right ventricular afterload, and reversal of identifiable inciting factors. The goal of this review is to discuss these key concepts in managing this difficult patient population.
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The lungs are the only organ that receives the entire cardiac output with every stroke. The pulmonary circulation is normally a high-flow, low-resistance, low-pressure system that carries blood into the pulmonary microcirculation. ⋯ The functional status of the pulmonary circulation and the levels of PVR and PAP ultimately determine the outcome of patients with PAH. Study of the pressure-flow relationships in the pulmonary vascular bed will provide an improved appreciation of the pathophysiology of pulmonary hypertension.
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Prog Cardiovasc Dis · May 2012
ReviewDiversity of mitral valve abnormalities in obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a complex and common genetic disease. The left ventricular outflow tract obstruction is an important determinant of symptoms and outcomes. Its pathophysiology is determined by the complex interaction of the mitral valve, papillary muscles, chordae tendinea, and interventricular septum. ⋯ Several abnormalities of the mitral apparatus have been described in patients with HCM including abnormal papillary muscles, leaflets' lengths, and mitral regurgitation. Ignoring these variables can lead to unnecessary or incomplete surgical treatments and worse outcomes. This review discusses the role of the mitral apparatus in HCM with a focus on a multimodality imaging approach and the clinical importance of each abnormality.
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Prog Cardiovasc Dis · Mar 2012
ReviewSudden cardiac death and preparticipation screening: the debate continues-in support of electrocardiogram-inclusive preparticipation screening.
Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is the leading cause of death in young athletes during exercise, and there is international agreement among major medical and sporting bodies that young athletes should undergo preparticipation cardiovascular screening. However, there is currently no universally accepted screening protocol, and substantial debate exists about what constitutes the ideal approach to preparticipation screening. The primary objective of preparticipation screening is the detection of intrinsic structural or electrical cardiovascular disorders that predispose an athlete to SCD. ⋯ However, recent studies have demonstrated a capacity to distinguish physiologic ECG alterations in athletes from findings suggestive of underlying pathology that is both feasible and has a low false-positive rate. Efforts are underway to increase physician education in ECG interpretation. After 2 decades debating the proper screening strategy to identify athletes at risk, the weight of scientific evidence suggests that a screening program inclusive of ECG is the only strategy that merits promotion.