Atrial Fibrillation
Epidemiology and Etiology Epidemiology General risk factors for cardiovascular disease Risk factors for AF Cardiac risk factors Non-cardiac risk factors Myocardial infarction Coronary artery disease Heart failure Cardiomyopathy (specifically hypertrophic) Other arrhythmias Valvular heart disease Congenital heart disease Myocarditis Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW) Electrolyte disturbances (e.g., hypokalemia) Diabetes Drugs (e.g., theophylline, adenosine, digoxin) Surgery (e.g., coronary […]
Ventricular Fibrillation (V-fib)
Epidemiology and Etiology Epidemiology Ventricular fibrillation (VF) secondary to myocardial infarction (MI) is the most common cause of sudden cardiac death (leading cause of death in developed countries). Etiology Pathophysiology Ventricular tachyarrhythmias are caused by abnormal ectopic contractions in the ventricle. Detailed process Mnemonic Sustained VF after an MI results from: Myocardial ischemia → Necrosis […]
Heart Failure
Epidemiology Etiology Underlying conditions include: Risk factors include: Pathophysiology Clinical Presentation Symptoms of HF Signs of HF New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification American Heart Association classification Diagnosis Initial approach Table: Common diagnostic findings in HF Test Findings BNP/pro-BNP BNP > 400 pg/mL Pro-BNP > 450 pg/mL (< 50 years of age) > 900 […]
Pericarditis
Definition and Classification Definition Pericarditis is an inflammation of the pericardium, the double-layered sac surrounding the heart. Clinical classification is based on duration. Epidemiology and Etiology Epidemiology Etiology Idiopathic (most common) After exclusion of other causes Viral infection Coxsackievirus B Influenza HIV Echovirus Bacterial infection Tuberculosis (most common cause worldwide) Streptococcus species (rheumatic fever) Lyme […]