Cardiology

This article is about the medical specialty dealing with the heart. For the album by Good Charlotte, see Cardiology (album). For the medical journal, see Cardiology (journal).
Cardiology

Blood flow diagram of the human heart. Blue components indicate de-oxygenated blood pathways and red components indicate oxygenated blood pathways.
System Cardiovascular
Subdivisions Interventional, Nuclear
Significant diseases Heart disease, Cardiovascular disease, Atherosclerosis, Cardiomyopathy, Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
Significant tests Blood tests, Electrophysiology study, Cardiac imaging, ECG, Echocardiograms, Stress test
Specialist Cardiologist

Cardiology (from Greek καρδίᾱ kardiā, "heart" and -λογία -logia, "study") is a branch of medicine dealing with disorders of the heart be it human or animal. The field includes medical diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease and electrophysiology. Physicians who specialize in this field of medicine are called cardiologists, a specialty of internal medicine. Pediatric cardiologists are pediatricians who specialize in cardiology. Physicians who specialize in cardiac surgery are called cardiothoracic surgeons or cardiac surgeons, a specialty of general surgery.

Specialization

All cardiologists study the disorders of the heart, but the study of adult and child heart disorders are through different training pathways. Therefore, an adult cardiologists (often unqualified and called just "cardiologist") is inadequately trained to take care of children, and pediatric cardiologists are inadequately trained to take care of adults.

Adult cardiology

Cardiology is a specialty of internal medicine. To be a cardiologist in the United States, a three-year residency in internal medicine is followed by a three-year fellowship in cardiology. It is possible to specialize further in a sub-specialty. Recognized sub-specialties in the United States by the ACGME are:

Recognized subspecialties in the United States by the American Osteopathic Association Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists (AOABOS) include:[1]

Pediatric cardiology

Pediatric cardiology is a specialty of pediatrics. To be a pediatric cardiologist in the United States, a three-year residency in pediatrics is followed by a three-year fellowship in pediatric cardiology.

The heart

Main articles: heart and human heart

As the center focus of cardiology, the heart has numerous anatomical features (e.g., atria, ventricles, heart valves) and numerous physiological features (e.g., systole, heart sounds, afterload) that have been encyclopedically documented for many centuries.

Disorders of the heart lead to heart disease and cardiovascular disease and can lead to a significant number of deaths: cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death and caused 29.34% of all deaths in 2002.

The primary responsibility of the heart is to pump blood throughout the body. It pumps blood from the body — called the systemic circulation — through the lungs — called the pulmonary circulation — and then back out to the body. This means that the heart is connected to and affects the entirety of the body. Simplified, the heart is a circuit of the Circulation. While plenty is known about the healthy heart, the bulk of study in cardiology is in disorders of the heart and restoration, and where possible, of function.

The heart is a muscle that squeezes blood and functions like a pump. Each part of the heart is susceptible to failure or dysfunction and the heart can be divided into the mechanical and the electrical parts.

The electrical part of the heart is centered on the periodic contraction (squeezing) of the muscle cells that is caused by the cardiac pacemaker located in the sinoatrial node. The study of the electrical aspects is a sub-field of electrophysiology called cardiac electrophysiology and is epitomized with the electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG). The action potentials generated in the pacemaker propagate throughout the heart in a specific pattern. The system that carries this potential is called the electrical conduction system. Dysfunction of the electrical system manifests in many ways and may include Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome, ventricular fibrillation, and heart block.

The mechanical part of the heart is centered on the fluidic movement of blood and the functionality of the heart as a pump. The mechanical part is ultimately the purpose of the heart and many of the disorders of the heart disrupt the ability to move blood. Failure to move sufficient blood can result in failure in other organs and may result in death if severe. Heart failure is one condition in which the mechanical properties of the heart have failed or are failing, which means insufficient blood is being circulated.

Disorders

Cardiology is concerned with the normal functionality of the heart and the deviation from a healthy heart. Many disorders involve the heart itself but some are outside of the heart.

Disorders of the coronary circulation

Coronary arteries labeled in red text and other landmarks in blue text.

Contrary to a basic understanding of the cardiovascular system, the heart cannot itself receive enough oxygen and nutrients from the blood it pumps and it must be supplied with blood as if it were any other organ in the body. Unlike the systemic organs the heart receives perfusion in the phase of diastole rather than systole. This circulation of blood is called the coronary circulation. The coronary circulation consists of coronary arteries and coronary veins.

Disorders of the coronary circulation can have devastating effects to the heart since damage to the heart can reduce coronary circulation which causes further damage. A few examples are presented, as follows:

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) 
Acute coronary syndrome is a broad term encompassing many acute myocardial infarction symptoms.
Angina pectoris
Angina pectoris literally means "chest pain" that refers to pain caused by ischemia of the heart.
Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is the condition in which an artery wall thickens as the result of a build-up of fatty materials (e.g., cholesterol). Atherosclerosis of a coronary artery leads to coronary heart disease.
Coronary heart disease
Coronary heart disease is a general term for any reduction in coronary circulation. One such condition is atherosclerosis.
Myocardial infarction (a.k.a. heart attack) 
A myocardial infarction is the death of a part of the heart which is typically caused by a blockage of the coronary circulation or coronary heart disease.
Restenosis
Recurrence of stenosis which would refer to a narrowing of a coronary artery in the context of the coronary circulation.

Cardiac arrest

A rhythm strip showing a couple beats of normal sinus rhythm followed by an atrial beat and asystole ("flatline").

Cardiac arrest refers to the cessation of normal systemic circulation due to failure in proper contraction of the heart. There are several conditions that can cause cardiac arrest.

Asystole ("flatline") 
Asystole refers to the absence of electrical activity of the heart and is sometimes referred to as a "flatline" because the electrocardiogram shows a solid line due to the absence of electrical activity.
Pulseless electrical activity (PEA) 
Pulseless electrical activity is when the electrocardiogram shows a rhythm that should produce a pulse but it does not. PEA is commonly caused by the 6 H's and 6 T's (see PEA article).
Pulseless ventricular tachycardia
Pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT) Is one classification of VT such that no pulse is felt because of an ineffective cardiac output which causes cardiac arrest.
Sudden cardiac death
Sudden cardiac death is a concept of natural death rather than a specific medical condition. There are several causes of sudden cardiac death and it is distinct from cardiac arrest.
Ventricular fibrillation
Ventricular fibrillation is fibrillation of the ventricles of the heart. Rhythmic contraction is necessary for efficient movement of blood, and fibrillation disrupts this rhythm sufficiently to cause cardiac arrest.

Treatment of cardiac arrest includes cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation depending on the exact cause of cardiac arrest.

Disorders of the myocardium (muscle of the heart)

The diagram shows a healthy heart (left) and one suffering from right ventricular hypertrophy (right).
A man with congestive heart failure and marked jugular venous distension. External jugular vein marked by an arrow.
Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy is a deterioration of the myocardium.
Ischemic cardiomyopathy 
Cardiomyopathy causing ischemia of the heart due to coronary artery disease.
Nonischemic cardiomyopathy 
Cardiomyopathy not caused by ischemia of the heart.
Amyloid cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy caused by amyloidosis.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) 
Cardiomyopathy caused by hypertrophy of the heart.
Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) (Idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis (IHSS)) 
Dilated cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy caused by dilation of the heart.
Alcoholic cardiomyopathy
A type of dilated cardiomyopathy caused by chronic abuse of alcohol.
Tachycardia induced cardiomyopathy
A type of dilated cardiomyopathy caused by chronic tachycardia.
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (Transient apical ballooning, stress-induced cardiomyopathy) 
A type of dilated cardiomyopathy caused by a sudden temporary weakening of the myocardium.
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy) 
Cardiomyopathy caused by a genetic mutation of the desmosomes that connect myocytes.
Restrictive cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy caused by excessive rigidity of the heart.
Heart failure
Failure of the heart to produce sufficient blood flow to meet metabolic demands of the body.
Cor pulmonale
Untreated cor pulmonale can cause right heart failure from chronic pulmonary hypertrophy.
Ventricular hypertrophy
Hypertrophy of the ventricle.
Left ventricular hypertrophy
Hypertrophy of the left ventricle.
Right ventricular hypertrophy
Hypertrophy of the right ventricle.
Primary tumors of the heart
Tumors that arise initially in the heart and not from elsewhere in the body.
Myxoma
Most common tumor of the heart.
Myocardial rupture
A gross structural failure of the heart. Commonly a result of myocardial infarction.

Disorders of the pericardium (outer lining of the heart)

Posterior wall of the pericardial sac.

The pericardium is a double-walled sac — fibrous pericardium and serous pericardium — that contains the heart.

Constrictive pericarditis
Pericarditis that constricts the expansion of the heart and inhibits heart function.
Pericardial effusion
An abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pericardium that can lead to tamponade.
Pericardial tamponade
Accumulation of fluid in the pericardium that inhibits heart function.
Pericarditis
Inflammation of the pericardium.

Disorders of the heart valves

3D reconstruction of the heart as viewed from the apex towards the valves, image flipped 180° relative to illustration above. Pulmonary valve not visible, leaflets of the tricuspid and aortic valves only partly visible. To the left two images in 2D from the same dataset, showing tricuspid and mitral valves (above) and aortal and mitral valve (below).

The heart contains four valves that direct the flow of blood in a single direction. Failure to prevent reverse-flow is called regurgitation, or insufficiency. Narrowing of the valves obstructs flow and is called stenosis.

Aortic valve
Disorders and treatments of the aortic valve that separates the left ventricle and aorta.
Aortic regurgitation / aortic insufficiency 
Deficiency of the aortic valve that permits regurgitation from the aorta into the left ventricle.
Aortic stenosis
Narrowing of the aortic valve opening that reduces blood flow through the valve.
Aortic valve replacement
Replacement of the aortic valve due to aortic regurgitation, aortic stenosis, or other reasons.
Aortic valve repair
Repair, instead of replacement, of the aortic valve.
Aortic valvuloplasty
Repair of the valve by using a balloon catheter to force it open.
Mitral valve
Disorders and treatments of the mitral valve that separates the left atrium and left ventricle.
Mitral valve prolapse
Prolapse of the mitral valve into the left atrium during ventricular systole.
Mitral regurgitation / mitral insufficiency 
Deficiency of the mitral valve that permits regurgitation from the left ventricle into the left atrium.
Mitral stenosis
Narrowing of the mitral valve opening that reduces blood flow through the valve.
Mitral valve replacement
Replacement of the mitral valve due to mitral regurgitation, mitral stenosis, or other reasons.
Mitral valve repair
Repair, instead of replacement, of the mitral valve.
Mitral valvuloplasty
Repair of the valve by using a balloon catheter to force it open.
Pulmonary valve
Disorders of the pulmonary valve that separates the right ventricle and pulmonary artery.
Pulmonary regurgitation / pulmonary insufficiency 
Deficiency of the pulmonary valve that permits regurgitation from the pulmonary artery into the right ventricle.
Pulmonic stenosis
Narrowing of the pulmonary valve opening that reduces blood flow through the valve.
Tricuspid valve
Disorders of the tricuspid valve that separates the right atrium and right ventricle.
Tricuspid regurgitation / tricuspid insufficiency 
Deficiency of the tricuspid valve that permits regurgitation from the right ventricle into the right atrium.

Congenital heart defect

Atrial septal defect with left-to-right shunt.

Congenital heart defects are defects in the structure of the heart which are present at birth.

Atrial septal defect
Defect in the interatrial septum that permits blood flow between atria, including a patent foramen ovale (PFO).
Bicuspid aortic valve
Formation of two valve leaflets in the aortic valve instead of three leaflets.
Hypoplastic left heart syndrome
Defect in the development of the left heart such that it is hypoplastic (under developed).
Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) 
Failure of the ductus arteriosus to close on birth.
Patent foramen ovale (PFO) 
An atrial septal defect in that the foramen ovale fails to close at birth.
Persistent truncus arteriosus
Defect in that the truncus arteriosus fails to divide.
Tetralogy of Fallot
Set of four anatomical abnormalities: pulmonary stenosis, overriding aorta, ventricular septal defect, and right ventricular hypertrophy.
Transposition of the great vessels (TGV) 
Abnormal spatial arrangement of the great vessels (superior vena cava, inferior vena cava, pulmonary arteries, pulmonary veins, and aorta).
Ventricular septal defect
Defect in the ventricular septum that permits blood flow between ventricles.

Diseases of blood vessels (vascular diseases)

The progression of atherosclerosis (size exaggerated).
Atherosclerosis
Thickening of an arterial wall due to increased cholesterol and macrophages.
Aneurysm
Balloon-like bulging of the artery.
Aorta
Diseases of the aorta:
Coarctation of the aorta
Narrowing of the aorta at the ductus arteriosus/ligamentum arteriosum.
Aortic dissection
Dissection along the length of the aorta between the layers of the aortic wall and filled with blood.
Aortic aneurysm
Aneurysm of the aorta.
Carotid artery
Diseases of the carotid arteries:
Carotid artery stenosis / carotid artery disease; Narrowing of the carotid artery, typically due to atherosclerosis.
Carotid artery dissection
Dissection along the length of the carotid artery between the layers of the carotid wall and filled with blood.
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
Formation of a thrombus in a deep vein, commonly in the legs.
Traveller's thrombosis / economy class syndrome
A DVT due to being sedentary during air travel.
Varicose veins
Veins that have become enlarged and tortuous with failed valves, commonly in the legs.
Vasculitis
Inflammation of blood vessels.

Procedures to counter coronary artery disease

An example of a drug-eluting stent. This is the TAXUS Express2 Paclitaxel-Eluting Coronary Stent System, which releases paclitaxel.
Coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG)
Grafting an artery or vein from elsewhere (typically the leg) to bypass a stenotic coronary artery.
Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP)
Pneumatically assisting the heart to move blood using inflatable cuffs on the legs.
Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)
Procedures to treat stenotic coronary arteries by accessing through a blood vessel.
Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA)
Enlarging the lumen of a coronary artery by forcibly expanding it with a balloon.
Atherectomy
Enlarging the lumen of a coronary artery by removal of atherosclerotic plaque.
Stenting
Enlarging the lumen of a coronary artery by forcibly expanding it with a metal wire tube.

Devices used in cardiology

A stethoscope.
Stethoscope
Acoustic device for hearing internal sounds including heart sounds.
Devices used to maintain normal electrical rhythm
Pacemaker
An implanted electrical device that replaces the heart's natural pacemaker.
Defibrillator
Electrical devices to alter the heart's rhythm with electrical energy.
Automated external defibrillator (AED)
An external defibrillator that is commonly found outside of health care settings. Often designed for anyone to use.
Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD)
An implanted device to prevent life-threatening conditions (e.g., ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation).
Devices used to maintain blood pressure
Artificial heart
An internal pump that wholly replaces the pumping action of the heart.
Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) / heart-lung machine
External pump to take over the function of both the heart and lungs.
Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP)
A balloon placed in the thoracic aorta to supplement cardiac output from the heart.
Ventricular assist device
Internal pump to supplement or replace the pumping action of a ventricle.

Diagnostic tests and procedures

Cardiologists use diagrams like this: a heart with an ECG indicator

Various cardiology diagnostic tests and procedures.

Blood tests
Echocardiography ("echo")
Ultrasonography of the heart to inspect chambers, valves, and blood flow.
Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE)
Echocardiogram of the heart through the thorax external to the body.
Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE)
Echocardiogram of the heart through a catheter placed in the esophagus.
Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR)
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the heart that utilizes the ECG for gating and to look at specific mechanical functions of the heart.
Cardiac stress test
Testing of the cardiovascular system through controlled exercise or drugs.
Auscultation
Listening to sounds (e.g., heart sounds) with a stethoscope.
Electrocardiography (ECG or EKG)
Measurement of the electrical activity of the heart, typically with 4 or 10 electrodes on the skin.
Holter monitor
Portable ECG device for continuous monitoring.
Electrophysiology study
Studying the electrical activity of the heart through the use of catheters placed in the heart via veins or arteries.
Sphygmomanometer
Blood pressure cuff used to measure arterial blood pressure.
Cardiac marker
Testing for biomarkers in the blood that may indicate various conditions.
Coronary catheterization
Catheterization of the coronary arteries.
Fractional flow reserve (FFRmyo)
Testing the blood flow through a stenosis of a coronary artery to determine the perfusion of the heart.
Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)
Ultrasonography of a coronary artery.
Optical coherence tomography (OCT)
Testing through the use of optical scattering for coronary artery disease.

Cardiologists

Cardiologist
Occupation
Names Doctor, Medical Specialist
Occupation type
 Specialty
Activity sectors
 Medicine
Description
Education required

Journals

Associations

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Specialties & Subspecialties". American Osteopathic Association. Retrieved 23 September 2012.

External links