Sargassum seaweed carries potential for respiratory problems
Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary artery disease (CAD; also atherosclerotic heart disease) is the end result of the accumulation of atheromatous plaques within the walls of the coronary arteries that supply the myocardium (the muscle of the heart) with oxygen and nutrients. It is sometimes also called coronary heart disease (CHD). Although CAD is the most common cause of CHD, it is not the only one.
CAD is the leading cause of death worldwide. While the symptoms and signs of coronary artery disease are noted in the advanced state of disease, most individuals with coronary artery disease show no evidence of disease for decades as the disease progresses before the first onset of symptoms, often a "sudden" heart attack, finally arises. After decades of progression, some of these atheromatous plaques may rupture and (along with the activation of the blood clotting system) start limiting blood flow to the heart muscle. The disease is the most common cause of sudden death, and is also the most common reason for death of men and women over 20 years of age. According to present trends in the United States, half of healthy 40-year-old males will develop CAD in the future, and one in three healthy 40-year-old women. According to the Guinness Book of Records, Northern Ireland is the country with the most occurrences of CAD. By contrast, the Maasai of Africa have almost no heart disease.
As the degree of coronary artery disease progresses, there may be near-complete obstruction of the lumen of the coronary artery, severely restricting the flow of oxygen-carrying blood to the myocardium. Individuals with this degree of coronary artery disease typically have suffered from one or more myocardial infarctions (heart attacks), and may have signs and symptoms of chronic coronary ischemia, including symptoms of angina at rest and flash pulmonary edema.
A distinction should be made between myocardial ischemia and myocardial infarction. Ischemia means that the amount of blood supplied to the tissue is inadequate to supply the needs of the tissue. When the myocardium becomes ischemic, it does not function optimally. When large areas of the myocardium becomes ischemic, there can be impairment in the relaxation and contraction of the myocardium. If the blood flow to the tissue is improved, myocardial ischemia can be reversed. Infarction means that the tissue has undergone irreversible death due to lack of sufficient oxygen-rich blood.
An individual may develop a rupture of an atheromatous plaque at any stage of the spectrum of coronary artery disease. The acute rupture of a plaque may lead to an acute myocardial infarction (heart attack).
Pulmonary Fibrosis/Interstitial Lung Disease
MissionThe Program for Pulmonary Fibrosis and Interstitial Lung Disease's mission is to provide state of the art evaluation and treatment for patients with interstitial lung diseases (ILD). The University of Alabama at Birmingham ILD program is designated as a Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF) Foundation Care Center network site.
ObjectivesPulmonary fibrosis or interstitial lung diseases are chronic, progressive, lung disease characterized by disabling shortness of breath, declining exercise capacity and extensive formation of scar tissue (fibrosis) in the lung. There are several different types/causes of pulmonary fibrosis and are difficult to diagnose and treat. This program exists to better understand such illnesses, train physicians to more completely treat such illnesses, and to drive the creation of superior treatment options.
Our entire team at the ILD clinic is dedicated to improving the lives of our patients with ILD through patient care, education and research. Our multidisciplinary team combines the skills of pulmonologists, thoracic radiologists and thoracic pathologists, all of whom have specific expertise in ILD and meet weekly to discuss new patients evaluated in ILD clinic. The team also works closely with subspecialists, including the rheumatologists and lung transplant team.
TeamDr. Tejaswini Kulkarni, MD, MPH, Interstitial Lung Disease Program DirectorDr. Tracy Luckhardt, MDDr. Maria del Pilar Acosta Lara, MDDr. Kevin Dsouza, MDDr. Chao He, MD, PhDDr. Carla Copeland, MDLanier O'Hare, CRNPTonja Meadows, Nurse Manager
Pulmonary Fibrosis/Interstitial Lung Disease Program Contact Information
UAB Interstitial Lung Disease ProgramTHT 422, 1900 University BoulevardBirmingham, AL 35294-0006Phone: (205) 934-7557Fax: (205) 934-6229
Contacting the Program for Pulmonary Fibrosis and Interstitial Lung DiseaseTo refer a patient to this program, please contact our office administrator at (205) 934-7557 from 8 AM-5 PM, CT, Monday-Friday. In order to expedite the scheduling and the evaluation process, please forward the following documents to our office as soon as possible:
1. Last clinic note or referral letter2. Pulmonary function tests (PFTs)3. Chest X-rays and CT scans - upload films to a CD and attach reports4. Lung biopsy slides and reports, if available.
After the appointment is scheduled, your patient will receive a package containing a schedule of tests and appointments, along with the "UAB ILD Program New Patient Questionnaire," maps, and information on lodging in the Kirklin Clinic area. After the clinic visit and once all data has been reviewed, including any prior biopsies, you will receive either a letter from one of our physicians or a copy the patient's clinic visit note.
Clinical TrialsThe UAB ILD Center offers clinical trial enrollment for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and other forms of diffuse parenchymal lung disease as part of a multidisciplinary and integrated approach to treatment. Please call Ms. Melessia Wells at 205- 975-9332 for more information.
Post-Capillary Pulmonary Hypertension: What You Should Know
Post-capillary pulmonary hypertension affects the blood vessels after gas exchange has occurred in the lungs. Treatment typically involves addressing the heart condition that's playing a part in the high blood pressure.
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is when blood pressure is high in the blood vessels that transport blood between your lungs and your heart. Over time, it can lead to further health problems, like heart failure and arrhythmia.
Doctors can classify PH as pre-capillary or post-capillary. Below, we delve into more detail about post-capillary PH. We cover what it is, its symptoms, how doctors diagnose and treat it, and more.
Before we discuss post-capillary PH, it's important to understand how pulmonary circulation works:
Post-capillary PH affects pulmonary blood vessels after gas exchange has occurred. Left sided heart disease causes it, such as:
Left sided heart disease can cause the left side of the heart to pump blood less effectively. This can cause a backflow of pressure into the blood vessels of the lungs, leading to post-capillary PH.
Post-capillary PH due to left sided heart disease is the most common type of PH. Researchers estimate it affects 23–80% of people with left sided heart disease.
Pre-capillary PH affects the pulmonary blood vessels before gas exchange has occurred. The affected blood vessels have typically narrowed or thickened, which increases blood pressure.
There are several potential causes of pre-capillary PH, including:
It's also possible for PH to have both a pre- and a post-capillary component. This is called combined pre-capillary and post-capillary PH. Some cases of post-capillary PH can eventually progress to this type of PH.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has defined four functional classes, or stages, of PH. The classes describe the PH's severity.
The four classes of PH are:
The symptoms of post-capillary PH can include:
Conditions other than PH can cause many of the symptoms above. However, if you're experiencing any concerning symptoms, visit a doctor to find out what's causing them.
Two tests are mainly used to diagnose PH: echocardiography and right heart catheterization.
An echocardiogram creates an ultrasound image of the heart. It can help predict the presence of PH.
Right heart catheterization can confirm the diagnosis. It involves a healthcare professional inserting a catheter into a large vein in your groin, neck, or arm. This catheter goes up to the right side of your heart and into your pulmonary arteries.
Right heart catheterization can make several measurements that give a doctor an idea of the pressure in blood vessels in your lungs. Three measurements are used to diagnose post-capillary PH:
Other tests healthcare professionals may use to diagnose post-capillary PH include:
Treating post-capillary PH often involves addressing the underlying heart issue leading to the increased blood pressure. Medications are one option.
Some of the medications used to address left sided heart disease in post-capillary PH include:
In general, targeted treatments for PAH have not shown the same benefit in people with isolated post-capillary PH. But further studies and the development of novel treatments are ongoing.
Procedures or surgeries may also help some people with post-capillary PH. An example is repairing heart valve disease that's contributing to PH.
Other potential treatments for post-capillary PH include:
Post-capillary PH affects the blood vessels after gas exchange happens in the lungs. It develops from left sided heart disease, such as left ventricular dysfunction or heart valve disease.
Echocardiography and right heart catheterization can help doctors diagnose post-capillary PH. Treatment mainly involves addressing the heart disease contributing to the high blood pressure.
PH can lead to complications like heart failure and arrhythmia, so it's important to talk with a doctor if you have symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, or persistent cough.
A doctor can work with you to determine what's causing your symptoms and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
Comments
Post a Comment