Cardiology: Cardiomyopathy + Aortic Dissection Flashcards
What is cardiomyopathy?
Structural and functional abnormality of the myocardium without CAD, HTN, valvular or congenital heart diseases
What are the four main types of cardiomyopathy?
1) Dilated
2) Hypertrophic (HOCM)
3) Restrictive
4) Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy
What is the most common type of cardiomyopathy?
Dilated cardiomyopathy
When do most patients present with dilated cardiomyopathy?
Between age 20-60
What are the causes of dilated cardiomyopathy?
1) Ischaemic changes over time can manifest as dilated cardiomyopathy esp. post MI
2) Hypertension
3) Genetic and congenital - familial dilated cardiomyopathy, sporadic gene mutations in idiopathic
4) Toxin-related i.e. drugs
5) Infiltrative - haemochromatosis, amyloidosis, sarcoidosis
6) Peripartum (rare)
7) Thyrotoxicosis
8) Infectious
9) Stress-induced cardiomyopathy (Takotsubo cardiomyopathy)
10) Idiopathic - when other potential causes have been ruled out
Which drugs can cause dilated cardiomyopathy?
1) Excessive alcohol consumption - leads to myocardial dysfunction and subsequent DCM
2) Cocaine - ischaemia and DCM
3) Anthracycline chemotherapy (doxorubicin)
4) Cyclophosphamide
5) Antiretroviral drugs (zidovudine)
6) Chloroquine
7) Clozapine
What are infectious causes of dilated cardiomyopathy?
1) Secondary to myocarditis
2) Direct result of infection from HIV, Lyme disease and Chagas disease
What is stress induced cardiomyopathy (Takotsubo cardiomyopathy)?
Transient left ventricular ballooning precipitated by intense psychologic stress - almost all patients recover completely
What are the clinical features of dilated cardiomyopathy (see on echo)?
Dilation and poor contraction of the left ventricle or both ventricles (EF < 40%)
What is the EF in dilated cardiomyopathy?
< 40% (of left or both ventricles, poor contraction + dilation)
What are the symptoms of dilated cardiomyopathy?
Most common = heart failure symptoms:
1) Exertional dyspnoea
2) Orthopnoea
3) Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea
4) Peripheral oedema
Consequences of cardiomyopathy:
5) Arrhythmia - AF or VT
6) Conduction disturbances
7) Sudden cardiac death
Which arrhythmias can occur as a result of dilated cardiomyopathy?
AF or VT
Symptoms and signs of which condition occur in dilated cardiomyopathy?
Heart failure
What are the examination findings in dilated cardiomyopathy?
1) Displaced apex beat
2) S3 gallop rhythm (rapid ventricular filling)
3) Mitral regurgitation murmur (due to displacement of the valve leaflets)
4) Signs of heart failure - oedema, hepatomegaly, ascites, raised JVP
Which two signs are heard on auscultation in dilated cardiomyopathy?
1) S3 gallop rhythm
2) Mitral regurgitation murmur
What might you see on ECG in dilated cardiomyopathy?
Poor R wave progression
What is the diagnostic investigation for dilated cardiomyopathy?
Echo
What is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)?
A genetic condition characterised by left ventricular hypertrophy of varying degrees
What causes hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?
Mutation in one of several myocyte sarcomere genes e.g. myosin and troponin, causing myocyte hypertrophy and disarray
Which gene is mutated in HCM?
One of several myocyte sarcomere genes e.g. myosin and troponin
What is the inheritance of HCM?
Autosomal dominant
What causes the genetic defect in HCM?
1) Autosomal dominant inheritance
2) 50% of cases due to sporadic mutations where the parents do not carry a disease-causing gene
When does HCM develop?
1) Most of the hypertrophy develops during childhood and adolescence
2) Genetic variation means some late onset disease does not occur
What are the consequences of HCM?
The abnormal morphology of the left ventricle can cause severe consequences:
1) Left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) - this is known as HOCM
2) Diastolic dysfunction
3) Ischaemia
4) Mitral regurgitation
What are the symptoms of HCM?
1) Many patients have little to no symptoms and the initial presenting conditions can sometimes be presyncope, syncope or sudden death
2) Exertional dyspnoea
3) Fatigue
4) Chest pain (anginal or atypical)
What are the signs of HCM?
Typical findings:
1) Jerky pulse
2) Double apex beat
3) Harsh ejection systolic murmur
4) Apical thrill
(physical examination can also be normal or non-specific)
What are the ECG findings in HCM?
1) Abnormal Q waves
2) Deeply inverted T waves
3) Left ventricular hypertrophy
How do you diagnose HCM?
Echo - shows an area of left ventricular wall thickness in the absence of any other cause