faqs.org » Abstracts Index » Abstracts » Health

Perspective on mitral-valve prolapse

Article Abstract:

Improved diagnostic criteria for mitral-valve prolapse have significantly modified earlier estimates of the disease's prevalence. Defects in the mitral valve of the heart that can allow blood to backflow during the heart beat were thought to affect as many as 30% of the population, and increase the risk of stroke. Researchers evaluating echocardiograms and using more refined criteria for diagnosis have found that only about 2.4% of the population have the valve disease. Echocardiography laboratories should adopt the more exact criteria and define only clear valve prolapse as a pathologic condition, describing subtler valve bulging as normal variant of mitral valve function.

United States, Diagnosis, Echocardiography, Mitral valve prolapse

---

Preventing coronary restenosis and complications

Article Abstract:

Two 1997 studies have evaluated two techniques for reducing the rate of complications after coronary angioplasty or atherectomy. Angioplasty and atherectomy are techniques that open clogged coronary arteries. However, the arteries often become blocked again, a condition called restenosis. One study found that radiotherapy delivered via a catheter can reduce the rate of restenosis. The other provided evidence that a monoclonal antibody that blocks blood platelets can reduce the risk of blood clot formation after angioplasty, which can block blood flow to the heart.

Prevention, Complications and side effects, Coronary heart disease, Ischemia, Transluminal angioplasty, Balloon angioplasty, Arteries, Arterial stenosis

---

Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy

Article Abstract:

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a genetic disorder, is caused by a missense mutation in one out of ten genes that encode the proteins of the cardiac sarcomere. Immediate approach to a cardiologist who has a thorough knowledge of the disease and also periodic check up is recommended for patients suffering from this disease.

Services information, England, Services, Risk factors, Cardiologists, Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic, Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, Sarcoma

Some parts © 2012 Advameg, Inc.