…family history of premature coronary disease, hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia did not fully explain the excess coronary risk. Rheumatoid arthritis RA is associated with increased carotid…

…Female specific or female predominant factors associated with later cardiovascular risk include: Premature menopause Premature ovarian insufficiency Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy Preeclampsia Preterm delivery Gestational…

…barbecue roll or the Gufoni manoeuvre for treatment. Contraindications Absolute: Unstable cervical spine injury, recent cervical spine surgery, atlantoaxial instability, severe rheumatoid arthritis of the…

…up of treatment effect and of disease progression. Assessment of pulmonary involvement in systemic disease, for example rheumatoid arthritis or scleroderma, and during treatment with…

…gradually Rheumatoid arthritis with vasculitis Individual assessment Repeat the ABI every three to six months during ongoing compression therapy, and always in the event of…

…Rupture of the free ventricular wall. Neoplasms (particularly breast and lung cancer). Inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, and rheumatic fever…

…Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) Iatrogenic stenosis after mitral valve surgery Myxoma obstructing outflow from the left atrium Atrial thrombus obstructing atrial outflow Endocarditis Hemodynamic consequences of…

…maximal oxygen or non invasive ventilation. Inadequate ventilation with a rising pCO₂ and respiratory acidosis, or a markedly increased work of breathing with impending exhaustion…

…individuals of all ages. However, a wide range of local and systemic conditions may cause pericarditis. The most common causes are as follows: Rheumatoid arthritis…

…Valve replacement can be performed with biological or mechanical prostheses. The former is preferred due to the lower risk of thrombosis and evidence demonstrating long…

…include the infusion of agents to stress the AV node and His Purkinje system, such as isoproterenol and/or procainamide. EPS with isoproterenol is also…

…with connective tissue disorders (Marfan syndrome, Ehlers Danlos syndrome), osteogenesis imperfecta typically causes prolapse of P2 (Figure 1). Myocardial ischemia affecting the papillary muscles or…

…fetal bleeding respectively). Marked liver failure with coagulopathy. Severe uncontrolled hypertension. Recent intracranial haemorrhage without a fresh assessment of benefit and risk. An inability to…

…Risk factors for calcification overlap with risk factors for coronary heart disease (atherosclerosis). The average age at diagnosis of aortic stenosis is 75 years in…

…bicuspid or unicuspid pulmonary valve Noonan syndrome : 60% of all individuals with Noonan syndrome have pulmonic stenosis. The stenosis is subvalvular, causing a narrowing of…

…It should be noted that imaging of the right ventricle requires an experienced echocardiographer. Three dimensional (3D) echocardiography should be considered in laboratories with expertise…

…Table 1. Causes of aortic regurgitation Bicuspid aortic valve Rheumatic heart disease Calcified aortic valves Idiopathic aortic dilatation (aneurysm) Hypertension Aortic dissection, proximal Marfan syndrome…

…also result in bradycardia with syncope. Carotid sinus hypersensitivity (CSH) is an exaggerated response to carotid sinus baroreceptor stimulation. Causes of persisting bradycardia Sinus node…