Principles of Echocardiography Print Section Listen Since 1976, echocardiography (echo) has been used to evaluate cardiac structure and function. Echo uses sound in the high-frequency range (2–10 MHz). Frequency ranges…
Print Section Listen “There is no disease more conducive to clinical humility than aneurysms of the aorta.” —Sir William Osler Key Concepts Epidemiology The leading cause of aneurysms of the…
Key Concepts Print Section Listen Epidemiology Congestive heart failure (CHF) is the most prevalent medical problem in Western society as the leading cause of death in the United States. Ischemic…
Key Concepts Print Section Listen Epidemiology Thoracoabdominal aneurysms (TAAs) develop in patients with atherosclerotic disease, chronic aortic dissection, and connective tissue disorders (e.g., Marfan syndrome, Ehler–Danlos syndrome). Pathophysiology Pathologic processes…
Key Concepts Print Section Listen Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) can be defined as left ventricular hypertrophy in the absence of an underlying cause (e.g., hypertension, aortic stenosis). Left ventricular outflow tract…
Key Concepts Print Section Listen Innovations in alternative methods for cannulation and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), new visualization systems, retractors and stabilizers, and robotic platforms have facilitated the development of minimally…
Key Concepts Print Section Listen Traditional open surgical repair of thoracic aortic disease is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Endovascular stent-graft therapies have emerged as a minimally invasive approach…
Key Concepts Print Section Listen Pacemaker therapy effectively treats bradycardia-related symptoms for patients with sinus node dysfunction, advanced atrioventricular (AV) block, and in some instances carotid sinus hypersensitivity. Conduction disturbance…
Key Concepts Print Section Listen The most common complications of cardiac catheterization include groin complications (0.43 percent) such as hematomas, retroperitoneal bleeding, pseudoaneurysm, and arteriovenous fistulas. Other complications include contrast…
Key Concepts Print Section Listen Epidemiology Primary cardiac tumors are rare with an overall incidence of 0.02 percent. Malignant tumors metastatic to the heart are much more common with an…
