Cardiomyopathies Flashcards
describe the structure of the myocardium
- Thickest layer of the heart
- Composed of cardiac muscle
- Specialised structure with specific characteristics that allow the cells to carry out their functions
describe the structure of the cardiomyocyte and what its role is
role
- regulation of muscle contraction
structure
- Sarcomere consists of around 20 proteins
- There are many other accessory proteins that make connections between the myocytes and the extracellular matrix
what is meant by the term cardiomyopathy
- This is a general term for diseases of heart muscle, where walls of the heart chambers have become stretched, thickened or stiff. This affects the hearts ability to pump blood around the body
- Any disease of the myocardium that cannot be explained by coronary artery narrowing or abnormal loading ventricles
- Focused on disorders that arise within the tissue itself, cardiomyocytes or extracellular matrix
what is a primary cardiomyopathy
- Disease is chiefly confined to the heart
- Primary cardiomyopathies – have genetic, mixed (genetic and nongenetic) or nongentic(acquired) causes and are confined solely to the heart
what is a secondary cardiomyopathy
- Affect the heart as part of a systemic disease (e.g. amyloidosis, hemochromatosis or sarcoidosis)
what is the classification of cardiomyopathies
Historically, cardiomyopathy was separated into 3 categories - hypertrophic, dilated, and restrictive categories.
NOW
- Familial/genetic – occurrence in more than one family member.
- Non familial/non genetic – primary case/absence of disease in other family members.
what where the 3 categories of cardiomyopathies (3 main subtypes as well)
- hypertrophic
- dilated
- restrictive categories
what are the subtypes of cardiomyopathy
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
- Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)
- Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM)
- Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC)
- Unclassified cardiomyopathy
what are the most common cardiomyopathies
- HCM and DCM are the most common
what is dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)
- Dilated cardiomyopathy phenyotype is mainly characterized by enlargement (dilation) of the chambers and decreased contractile (systolic) function usually in the left side
- Ventricular systolic dysfunction in the absence of abnormal loading conditions (hypertension, valve disease) or coronary artery disease
- Right ventricular dilation and dysfunction may or may not be present
what are the causes of dilated cardiomyopathy
- idiopathic
- familial
Inflammatory
- infectious (especially viral)
- non infectious
- connective tissue disorders
- permpartum cardiomyopathy
- Sarcodosis
Toxic
- chronic alcohol consumption
- chemotherapeutic agents
metabolic
- hypothyroidism
- chronic hypocalcameia
neuromuscular
- muscular or myotonic dystrophy
describe familia forms of dilated cardiomyopathy
In about 35% of patient’s genetic mutations can be identified that usually involve proteins that are part of
- Sarcolemma
- Cytoskeleton
- Sarcomere
- Mitochondrion
- Nuclear membrane
what is the histopathology of dilated cardiomyopathy
- Changes in the structure, composition or cardiomyocytes leading to a remodelling of the myocardium
- Distinctive phenotype shows a patch work left ventricle where cardiomyocytes are interspersed with necrotic and fibrotic patches and intermittent calcifications
- there is more fibrotic parts of the heart
what are the pathophysiology of dilated cardiomyopathy
- Myocyte injury causes a decrease in contractility which causes a decrease in stroke volume which causes a decrease in cardiac output
what are the compensation mechanisms that are activated for the decrease in CO in dilated cardiomyopathy
- this can cause activation of the sympathetic activity
- which causes an increase in contractility which will increase stroke volume and thus cardiac output and thus maintain blood pressure
- and it also causes an increase int he heart rate which maintains blood pressure - renin- angiotensin system is activated this
- causes vasoconstriction which increases the TPR which matains blood pressure
- it increases venous returns to the heart which causes an increase in preload this leads to an increase in stroke volume and therefore an increase in cardiac output and blood pressure being maintained
- it also causes aldosterone to increase which leads to salt and water retention - increase in antidiuretic hormone
- this causes an increase in blood volume which leads to venous return to the heart being increased and thus prealod increase this leads to an increase in stroke volume and therefore an increase in cardiac output and blood pressure being maintained