Cardiomyopathy of overload: a major determinant of prognosis in congestive heart failure

Article Abstract:

Cardiomyopathies (heart muscle disorders) play a leading role in congestive heart failure, a disease in which the heart cannot pump blood efficiently. Factors such as salt and water retention and vasoconstriction (constriction of the blood vessels) have been linked to poor prognosis. The adaptive process of myocardial hypertrophy (enlargement of the heart) has now been associated with abnormalities that occur within the cells of the heart. A review and examination of these heart cell abnormalities is presented with a description of the phenomenon known as cardiac overload, which has been identified as the primary cause of death in patients with congestive heart failure. Clinical syndromes in heart failure are discussed, and abnormalities of gene expression associated with heart failure are also examined in some detail. When the chronic stage of congestive heart failure begins, abnormalities of the myocardium accelerate the rate of cell death. The cellular and molecular malfunctions which occur in congestive heart failure are a primary factor in the resulting poor prognosis. Continued progress in biochemistry, molecular biology and pathophysiology is essential for a fuller understanding of this progressive deterioration of the heart muscle. Better methods of treatment are also needed to minimize mortality. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Prognosis, Congestive heart failure

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Clinical course and prognosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in an outpatient population

Article Abstract:

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a heart condition characterized by a variety of physical and functional abnormalities. Research relying upon patient populations from referral institutions may produce biased study results. To eliminate patient selection bias, the age, sex, degree of heart enlargement, heart filling abnormalities, vessel obstructions, and abnormal heart beats of 25 unreferred outpatients were evaluated and compared to results from previous studies on patients from referral institutions. The results of this comparison prove that the conclusions of referral-based hospital studies are deceptive. Symptoms were absent in 72 percent of outpatient study group and only one patient reported moderate to severe symptoms. In the institutional studies, 44 percent of the patients had moderate to severe symptoms. These results indicate that the disease is probably less severe in its effects than originally cited in previously published reports.

Analysis, Electrocardiography, Heart enlargement, Heart hypertrophy, Doppler echocardiography

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Screening for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in young athletes

Article Abstract:

Preparticipation screening of athletes may lower their risk of dying from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This heart disease can cause sudden death in young people. Italian researchers analyzed the sudden death rate in athletes and non-athletes between 1979 and 1996 and also followed 33,735 athletes who had been screened. Italy passed a law in 1971 requiring annual exams for athletes. Of 269 sudden deaths between 1979 and 1996, only 49 occurred in athletes. Two percent of the athletes died from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy versus 7% of the non-athletes. Only 0.07% of the 33,735 athletes had to be disqualified due to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and none died.

Evaluation, Diagnosis, Medical examination, Medical screening, Health screening, Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic, Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, Athletes

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