Cardiac valvular Re: 2004 EDNF Conference

[Guest guest]

A new type of EDS?

> From: llchriste@...

> Subject: 2004 EDNF Conference

> ...

> Dr. Schwarze will be enlightening us about a new type of EDS - the cardiac

> valvular form.

I couldn¹t find out exactly what " Cardiac valvular " means; this is the

closest I could get. I am ***assuming*** this is a 'stroke' type of EDS as

opposed to an enlarge aorta type? Just a wild guess.

" Cardiac valvular " terms...

Cardiac catheterization involves the passage of a catheter (a thin flexible

tube) into the right or left side of the heart. Generally this procedure is

performed to obtain diagnostic information about the heart or its blood

vessels or to provide therapeutic interventions in certain types of heart

conditions. Cardiac catheterization can be used to determine pressure and

blood flow in the heart's chambers, collect blood samples from the heart,

and examine the arteries of the heart with an X-ray technique called

fluoroscopy... Cardiac catheterization is usually performed to evaluate

cardiac valvular disease, heart function and blood supply, or congenital

heart abnormalities. It may also be used to determine the need for cardiac

surgery. Therapeutic catheterization may be used to repair certain types of

heart defects, open a stenotic heart valve, and dilate obstructed arteries

or grafts in the heart... Cardiac defects or disease may be present, such as

coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, ventricular aneurysms, or

enlargement. Additional conditions under which the test may be performed

include the following:

* Primary pulmonary hypertension

* Pulmonary valve stenosis

* Pulmonary embolism

* Tetralogy of Fallot

* Transposition of the great vessels

* Tricuspid regurgitation

* Ventricular septal defect

Cardiac catherization carries a slightly increased risk when compared with

other heart tests. However, the test is very safe when performed by an

experienced team. Generally the risk of serious complications ranges from 1

in 1,000 to 1 in 500. Risks of the procedure include the following:

* Cardiac arrhythmias

* Cardiac tamponade

* Trauma to the artery caused by hematoma

* Low blood pressure

* Reaction to contrast medium

* Hemorrhage

* Stroke

* Heart attack

Considerations associated with any type of catheterization include the

following:

* In general, there is a risk of bleeding, infection, and pain at the IV

site.

* There is always a very small risk that the soft plastic catheters could

actually damage the blood vessels.

* Blood clots could form on the catheters and later block blood vessels

elsewhere in the body.

* The contrast material could damage the kidneys (particularly in

patients with diabetes).

http://www.enh.org/encyclopedia/ency/article/003419.asp