Cardiac Disorders
Cardiac Disorders - Related Videos
07:39
Cardiac Exam I: Inspection and Palpation
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2023
Source: Suneel Dhand, MD, Attending Physician, Internal Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center The cardiac assessment is one of the core examinations performed by almost every physician whenever encountering a patient. Disorders of the cardiac system are among the most common reasons for hospital admission, with conditions ranging from myocardial infarction to congestive heart failure. Learning a complete and thorough cardiac examination is therefore crucial for any practicing physician.
02:18
Intrinsically Disordered Proteins
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2020
Intrinsically disordered proteins are a group of proteins that do not fold into specific three-dimensional structures. Their structural flexibility allows them to complement ordered proteins to perform functions that are inaccessible to rigid structures. They are more common in eukaryotes than prokaryotes and may either be exclusively intrinsically disordered or hybrid proteins, consisting of a mix of ordered and disordered regions. The absence of a rigid structure in these proteins can be...
08:25
Visualization of Streptococcus pneumoniae within Cardiac Microlesions and Subsequent Cardiac Remodeling
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Cited by 11 •
2015
Streptococcus pneumoniae forms discrete non-purulent microscopic lesions in the heart. Outlined is the protocol for a murine model of cardiac microlesion formation. Instruction is provided on microlesion visualization using microscopy, discrimination between early and late microlesions, and methods to detect cardiac remodeling in hearts of convalescent animals.
10:51
Cardiac Exam III: Abnormal Heart Sounds
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2023
Source: Suneel Dhand, MD, Attending Physician, Internal Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Having a fundamental understanding of normal heart sounds is the first step toward distinguishing the normal from the abnormal. Murmurs are sounds that represent turbulent and abnormal blood flow across a heart valve. They are caused either by stenosis (valve area too narrow) or regurgitation (backflow of blood across the valve) and are commonly heard as a "swishing" sound during auscultation.
15:45
Cardiac Stress Test Induced by Dobutamine and Monitored by Cardiac Catheterization in Mice
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Cited by 11 •
2013
We describe the protocol to perform a cardiac stress test induced by dobutamine and monitored by cardiac catheterization in normal mice. Also we show its application to unmask subclinical cardiac disease in high fat diet-induced obese mice.
FAQs
Abnormal rhythms can interfere with the heart’s coordinated electrical activity, changing how effectively it generates impulses and supports pumping. When circulation is disrupted, tissues may receive less oxygen than they require. Identifying the rhythm-related mechanism helps clinicians connect electrical abnormalities with symptoms and select treatment directed at the underlying cardiac problem.
A weakened heart muscle may have difficulty generating sufficient pumping force, while a stiffened muscle may have difficulty functioning normally because its mechanical properties are altered. These represent different pathways to impaired cardiac performance. Distinguishing them is important because evaluation and treatment must be tailored to the specific mechanism rather than applied uniformly.
Valve damage primarily disrupts the movement of blood through the heart, whereas reduced flow through the coronary arteries limits circulation associated with the heart’s own blood supply. Although both can impair cardiac function, they involve different anatomical and physiological problems. This distinction guides diagnostic interpretation and helps determine which treatment approach is appropriate.
The heart’s ability to maintain circulation directly influences oxygen delivery to tissues. Electrical abnormalities, muscle dysfunction, valve damage, or reduced coronary flow can each disturb that process through different mechanisms. Focusing on oxygen delivery helps clinicians assess the functional consequences of a disorder and relate cardiac changes to wider effects on the body.
Evaluation combines clinical assessment with targeted testing rather than relying on a single measurement. Electrocardiography examines the heart’s electrical activity, imaging assesses relevant cardiac structure or function, and laboratory testing supplies additional information. Together, these approaches help identify the likely cause and provide a basis for treatment tailored to the underlying disorder.
These methods are used together when clinicians need complementary information about a suspected cardiac problem. Electrocardiography contributes electrical data, imaging contributes structural or functional information, and laboratory testing adds biochemical evidence. Combining results can improve diagnostic accuracy, support risk assessment, and help distinguish among arrhythmias, heart failure, valve disease, and coronary artery disease.
Research examines how cardiac disorders develop, how their effects can be recognized, and which factors influence future outcomes. This work supports prevention strategies and improves risk assessment by connecting clinical findings with likely disease consequences. It also provides a foundation for developing and evaluating therapies for arrhythmias, heart failure, and coronary artery disease.
Treatment selection depends on which part of cardiac function is impaired and why. A problem involving electrical impulses may require a different strategy from one involving heart muscle, valves, or coronary blood flow. Linking therapy to the underlying cause improves clinical reasoning and supports more appropriate management across the range of disorders encountered in medicine.