Aim: To analyse the increasing burden of coronary artery disease (CAD) in tropical and subtropical belts of the Equator since it remains blurred and carries a grim prognosis. Introduction: Endomyocardial fibrosis [EMF...Aim: To analyse the increasing burden of coronary artery disease (CAD) in tropical and subtropical belts of the Equator since it remains blurred and carries a grim prognosis. Introduction: Endomyocardial fibrosis [EMF] is a tropical febrile disorder, confined to peculiar and limited geographical areas. Plaque buildup in endocardium and coronary arteries, causing ischemic injury and arrhythmic episodes, is a vanishing mystery in its pathogenesis and emphasizing alternative routes for understanding and treatment of this enigmatic disease. Case Report: 15 cases in various age groups were reported with potential complications of coronary artery disease and arrhythmias, associated with endocardial lesions, the characteristic feature of endomyocardial fibrosis. Conclusion: The narrowing of coronary arteries as a result of thickening of the walls, spasm, inflammation, plaques and its rupture produce ischemic episodes which can occur slowly or suddenly in a devastating pattern with arrhythmogenic potentials. The important steps to prevent and decrease the risk of CAD is to reduce the chance of getting this disorder by epidemiological measures with an advice of blood thinning medications such as small daily dose aspirin, antibiotics in susceptible individuals and revascularization in established myocardial infarction.展开更多
Tropical endomyocardial fibrosis (EMF) is a public health problem affecting the children, young adults and elderly individuals in an epidemic fashion in the coastal districts of south India. Due to lack of resources f...Tropical endomyocardial fibrosis (EMF) is a public health problem affecting the children, young adults and elderly individuals in an epidemic fashion in the coastal districts of south India. Due to lack of resources for research in these endemic areas, its etiology remains elusive and hypotheses ranging from infections and allergic causes to malnutrition and toxins have not been tested rigorously. The disease is characterized by endocardial fibrosis and the right ventricle is the cardiac chamber most frequently affected. Patients may present clinically with heart failure and an associated AV (atrioventricular) valve regurgitation is common. Several features of the advanced disease called as “burnt-out” stage of endomyocardial fibrosis (EMF) are not fully understood. Background of these case studies described the clinical presentation, echocardiographic features and management of this late stage of the disease.展开更多
Evolution of two-dimensional and color Doppler echocardiography identified the typical features of Endomyocardial Fibrosis (EMF) such as dense ventricular apical fibrosis, dysfunction of atrioventricular valve and sub...Evolution of two-dimensional and color Doppler echocardiography identified the typical features of Endomyocardial Fibrosis (EMF) such as dense ventricular apical fibrosis, dysfunction of atrioventricular valve and sub-valvular apparatus and cavity dimensions. This is the tool used most for the diagnosis of EMF in areas where the disease is endemic in Africa. Today echocardiography is used as a screening tool to identify cases of EMF at the community level and it could be confirmed at the bed side. Background of these cases highlighted the echocardiographic features of EMF in different age groups and the oldest one reported at the age of 85 years in a female in advanced stage at this coastal district of Thoothukudi in India.展开更多
文摘Aim: To analyse the increasing burden of coronary artery disease (CAD) in tropical and subtropical belts of the Equator since it remains blurred and carries a grim prognosis. Introduction: Endomyocardial fibrosis [EMF] is a tropical febrile disorder, confined to peculiar and limited geographical areas. Plaque buildup in endocardium and coronary arteries, causing ischemic injury and arrhythmic episodes, is a vanishing mystery in its pathogenesis and emphasizing alternative routes for understanding and treatment of this enigmatic disease. Case Report: 15 cases in various age groups were reported with potential complications of coronary artery disease and arrhythmias, associated with endocardial lesions, the characteristic feature of endomyocardial fibrosis. Conclusion: The narrowing of coronary arteries as a result of thickening of the walls, spasm, inflammation, plaques and its rupture produce ischemic episodes which can occur slowly or suddenly in a devastating pattern with arrhythmogenic potentials. The important steps to prevent and decrease the risk of CAD is to reduce the chance of getting this disorder by epidemiological measures with an advice of blood thinning medications such as small daily dose aspirin, antibiotics in susceptible individuals and revascularization in established myocardial infarction.
文摘Tropical endomyocardial fibrosis (EMF) is a public health problem affecting the children, young adults and elderly individuals in an epidemic fashion in the coastal districts of south India. Due to lack of resources for research in these endemic areas, its etiology remains elusive and hypotheses ranging from infections and allergic causes to malnutrition and toxins have not been tested rigorously. The disease is characterized by endocardial fibrosis and the right ventricle is the cardiac chamber most frequently affected. Patients may present clinically with heart failure and an associated AV (atrioventricular) valve regurgitation is common. Several features of the advanced disease called as “burnt-out” stage of endomyocardial fibrosis (EMF) are not fully understood. Background of these case studies described the clinical presentation, echocardiographic features and management of this late stage of the disease.
文摘Evolution of two-dimensional and color Doppler echocardiography identified the typical features of Endomyocardial Fibrosis (EMF) such as dense ventricular apical fibrosis, dysfunction of atrioventricular valve and sub-valvular apparatus and cavity dimensions. This is the tool used most for the diagnosis of EMF in areas where the disease is endemic in Africa. Today echocardiography is used as a screening tool to identify cases of EMF at the community level and it could be confirmed at the bed side. Background of these cases highlighted the echocardiographic features of EMF in different age groups and the oldest one reported at the age of 85 years in a female in advanced stage at this coastal district of Thoothukudi in India.
