Cardiac

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality worldwide, accounting for over 1.37 million deaths in the US (2004) and 4.35 million deaths in Europe (2000).

CVD covers a number of disease states including coronary artery disease, acute coronary syndrome (unstable angina and myocardial infarction), stroke and heart failure.

Coronary artery disease is a result of plaque build-up in the arteries (especially in the heart) leading to blockage of blood flow that can result in a myocardial infarction or heart attack.

Heart failure occurs when the heart is no longer able to effectively pump blood through the body. This may be caused by a myocardial infarction, high blood pressure or cardiomyopathy.

Diagnostic Procedures

• Electrocardiogram (ECG)
• Chest X-ray
• Exercise stress test
• Laboratory tests,
• Risk factors: cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides, thyroid function
• Myocardial necrosis: Troponin-I, CK-MB, Myoglobin
• Heart Failure: BNP
• Imaging
• Echocardiogram

Treatment
Medical and surgical treatments are available

Drugs

• Lipid lowering drugs, e.g. statins, fibrates
• Anti-hypertensives, e.g. ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)
• Diuretics
• Nitroglycerin
  

Surgical/Invasive

• Coronary artery bypass grafts (CABG)
• Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)
• Coronary stent placement
• Ventricular Assist Device (VAD)
• Transplant