electrocardiographic

Ventricular fibrillation (V-fib or VF) is a cardiac condition which consists of a lack of coordination of the contraction of the muscle tissue of the large chambers of the heart that eventually leads to the heart stopping altogether. Ventricular fibrillation - Introduction. Ventricular fibrillation is considered a medical emergency. If the arrhythmia continues for more than a few seconds, blood circulation will cease, as evidenced by lack of pulse, blood pressure and respiration, and death wil ...

Including:

• Ventricular fibrillation - Introduction
• Ventricular fibrillation - Historical aspects
• Ventricular fibrillation - Mechanisms of ventricular fibrillation
• Ventricular fibrillation - Detailed description
• Ventricular fibrillation - Prevalence
• Ventricular fibrillation - Treatment
• Ventricular fibrillation - Re-entry
• Ventricular fibrillation - Abnormal automaticity
• Ventricular fibrillation - Triggered activity
• Ventricular fibrillation - Characteristics of the ventricular fibrillation waveform
• Ventricular fibrillation - Power spectrum
• Ventricular fibrillation - Frequency characteristics of ventricular fibrillation

Read more here: » Ventricular fibrillation: Encyclopedia - Ventricular fibrillation

The signs and symptoms associated with myocardits are varied, and relate either to the actual inflammation of the myocardium, or the weakness of the heart muscle that is secondary to the inflammation. Signs and symptoms of myocarditis include: Sudden death (in young adults, myocarditis causes up to 20% of all cases of sudden death) Congestive heart failure (leading to edema, breathlessness and hepatic congestion) Palpitations (due to Arrhythmias) Chest pain Fever (especiall ...

See also:

Myocarditis, Myocarditis - Signs and symptoms, Myocarditis - Diagnosis, Myocarditis - Causes, Myocarditis - Epidemiology, Myocarditis - Therapy, Myocarditis - Famous deaths, Myocarditis - Reference

Read more here: » Myocarditis: Encyclopedia II - Myocarditis - Signs and symptoms

Because of the varying symptoms and signs of aortic dissection depending on the initial intimal tear and the extent of the dissection, the proper diagnosis is sometimes difficult to make. In an individual with chest pain radiating to the back, the differentials to consider include: Aortic dissection Myocardial infarction Acute aortic insufficiency Non-dissecting aortic aneurysm Pericarditis Musculos ...

See also:

Aortic dissection, Aortic dissection - Overview, Aortic dissection - Classification systems, Aortic dissection - DeBakey classification system, Aortic dissection - Pathophysiology, Aortic dissection - Etiology, Aortic dissection - Signs and symptoms, Aortic dissection - Blood pressure changes, Aortic dissection - Aortic insufficiency, Aortic dissection - Myocardial infarction, Aortic dissection - Pleural effusion, Aortic dissection - Diagnosis, Aortic dissection - Chest X-ray, Aortic dissection - EKG, Aortic dissection - Biochemical markers, Aortic dissection - Transesophageal echocardiography, Aortic dissection - Aortogram, Aortic dissection - Spiral CT with contrast, Aortic dissection - MRI, Aortic dissection - Natural history, Aortic dissection - First Aid, Aortic dissection - Treatment, Aortic dissection - Medical management, Aortic dissection - Surgical management, Aortic dissection - Long term follow-up

Read more here: » Aortic dissection: Encyclopedia II - Aortic dissection - Diagnosis

Lyman Brewer suggests that the first recorded account of ventricular fibrillation dates as far back as 1500 BC and can be found in the Ebers papyrus of ancient Egypt. The extract recorded 3500 years ago may even date from as far back as 3500 BC. It states: "When the heart is diseased, its work is imperfectly performed: the vessels proceeding from the heart become inactive, so that you cannot feel them … if the heart trembles, has little power and sinks, the disease is advanced and death is near". Whether this is a description of ventricula ...

See also:

Ventricular fibrillation, Ventricular fibrillation - Introduction, Ventricular fibrillation - Historical aspects, Ventricular fibrillation - Mechanisms of ventricular fibrillation, Ventricular fibrillation - Detailed description, Ventricular fibrillation - Prevalence, Ventricular fibrillation - Treatment, Ventricular fibrillation - Re-entry, Ventricular fibrillation - Abnormal automaticity, Ventricular fibrillation - Triggered activity, Ventricular fibrillation - Characteristics of the ventricular fibrillation waveform, Ventricular fibrillation - Power spectrum, Ventricular fibrillation - Frequency characteristics of ventricular fibrillation

Read more here: » Ventricular fibrillation: Encyclopedia II - Ventricular fibrillation - Historical aspects

KITT had many features, most of which had an activation button associated with them that were on panels mounted on either side of the steering wheel or on a console mounted on the ceiling of the interior. Many of these button functions seem to change around, appearing and disappearing, or rearranging from episode to episode. Some were used once and never seen again. Some of KITT's features include the following: Computer AI - KITT was essentially an advanced supercomputer on wheels. The "brain" of KITT was the Knig ...

See also:

KITT, KITT - History, KITT - List of KITT's features, KITT - Other equipment, KITT - Trivia

Read more here: » KITT: Encyclopedia II - KITT - List of KITT's features

Aortic dissection is associated with hypertension (high blood pressure) and many connective tissue disorders. Vasculitis (inflammation of an artery) is rarely associated with aortic dissection. It can also be the result of chest trauma. 72 to 80% of individuals who present with an aortic dissection have a previous history of hypertension. The highest incidence of aortic dissection is in individuals who are 50 to 70 years old. The incidence is twice as high in males as in females (male-to-female ratio is 2:1). Half of dissections in females before age 40 occur during pregnancy (typically in ...

See also:

Aortic dissection, Aortic dissection - Overview, Aortic dissection - Classification systems, Aortic dissection - DeBakey classification system, Aortic dissection - Pathophysiology, Aortic dissection - Etiology, Aortic dissection - Signs and symptoms, Aortic dissection - Blood pressure changes, Aortic dissection - Aortic insufficiency, Aortic dissection - Myocardial infarction, Aortic dissection - Pleural effusion, Aortic dissection - Diagnosis, Aortic dissection - Chest X-ray, Aortic dissection - EKG, Aortic dissection - Biochemical markers, Aortic dissection - Transesophageal echocardiography, Aortic dissection - Aortogram, Aortic dissection - Spiral CT with contrast, Aortic dissection - MRI, Aortic dissection - Natural history, Aortic dissection - First Aid, Aortic dissection - Treatment, Aortic dissection - Medical management, Aortic dissection - Surgical management, Aortic dissection - Long term follow-up

Read more here: » Aortic dissection: Encyclopedia II - Aortic dissection - Etiology

KITT was designed by the late Wilton Knight, a brilliant but eccentric computer engineer and founder of the "Foundation for Law and Government" (FLAG). The rest of the vehicle was designed and built in secrecy by Wilton's firm, Knight Industries, to aid in Foundation's pursuits at fighting crime. KITT's main cybernetic processor was first installed in a mainframe computer used by the United States government in Washington D.C., however, Wilton saw better use for him in the Foundation's crime fighting crusade and eventually the system ...

See also:

KITT, KITT - History, KITT - List of KITT's features, KITT - Other equipment, KITT - Trivia

Read more here: » KITT: Encyclopedia II - KITT - History

About 96% of individuals with aortic dissection present with severe pain that had a sudden onset. It may be described as tearing in nature, or stabbing or sharp in character. 17% of individuals will feel the pain migrate as the dissection extends down the aorta. The location of pain is associated with the location of the dissection. Anterior chest pain is associated with dissections involving the ascending aorta, while intrascapular (back) pain is associated with descending aortic dissections. If the pain is pleuritic in nature, it may suggest acute ...

See also:

Aortic dissection, Aortic dissection - Overview, Aortic dissection - Classification systems, Aortic dissection - DeBakey classification system, Aortic dissection - Pathophysiology, Aortic dissection - Etiology, Aortic dissection - Signs and symptoms, Aortic dissection - Blood pressure changes, Aortic dissection - Aortic insufficiency, Aortic dissection - Myocardial infarction, Aortic dissection - Pleural effusion, Aortic dissection - Diagnosis, Aortic dissection - Chest X-ray, Aortic dissection - EKG, Aortic dissection - Biochemical markers, Aortic dissection - Transesophageal echocardiography, Aortic dissection - Aortogram, Aortic dissection - Spiral CT with contrast, Aortic dissection - MRI, Aortic dissection - Natural history, Aortic dissection - First Aid, Aortic dissection - Treatment, Aortic dissection - Medical management, Aortic dissection - Surgical management, Aortic dissection - Long term follow-up

Read more here: » Aortic dissection: Encyclopedia II - Aortic dissection - Signs and symptoms

The initiating event in an aortic dissection is a tear in the intimal lining of the aorta. Due to the high pressures in the aorta, blood enters the media at the point of the tear. The force of the blood entering the media causes the tear to extend. It may extend proximally (closer to the heart) or distally (away from the heart) or both. The blood will travel through the media, creating a false lumen (the true lumen is the normal conduit of blood in the aorta). Separating the false lumen from the true lumen is a layer of intimal tis ...

See also:

Aortic dissection, Aortic dissection - Overview, Aortic dissection - Classification systems, Aortic dissection - DeBakey classification system, Aortic dissection - Pathophysiology, Aortic dissection - Etiology, Aortic dissection - Signs and symptoms, Aortic dissection - Blood pressure changes, Aortic dissection - Aortic insufficiency, Aortic dissection - Myocardial infarction, Aortic dissection - Pleural effusion, Aortic dissection - Diagnosis, Aortic dissection - Chest X-ray, Aortic dissection - EKG, Aortic dissection - Biochemical markers, Aortic dissection - Transesophageal echocardiography, Aortic dissection - Aortogram, Aortic dissection - Spiral CT with contrast, Aortic dissection - MRI, Aortic dissection - Natural history, Aortic dissection - First Aid, Aortic dissection - Treatment, Aortic dissection - Medical management, Aortic dissection - Surgical management, Aortic dissection - Long term follow-up

Read more here: » Aortic dissection: Encyclopedia II - Aortic dissection - Pathophysiology

The risk of death due to aortic dissection is highest in the first few hours after the dissection begins, and decreases afterwards. Because of this, the therapeutic strategies differ for treatment of an acute dissection compared to a chronic dissection. An acute dissection is one in which the individual presents within the first two weeks. If the individual has managed to survive this window period, his prognosis is improved. About 66% of all dissections present in the acute phase. In all individuals with aortic dissections, medication should be u ...

See also:

Aortic dissection, Aortic dissection - Overview, Aortic dissection - Classification systems, Aortic dissection - DeBakey classification system, Aortic dissection - Pathophysiology, Aortic dissection - Etiology, Aortic dissection - Signs and symptoms, Aortic dissection - Blood pressure changes, Aortic dissection - Aortic insufficiency, Aortic dissection - Myocardial infarction, Aortic dissection - Pleural effusion, Aortic dissection - Diagnosis, Aortic dissection - Chest X-ray, Aortic dissection - EKG, Aortic dissection - Biochemical markers, Aortic dissection - Transesophageal echocardiography, Aortic dissection - Aortogram, Aortic dissection - Spiral CT with contrast, Aortic dissection - MRI, Aortic dissection - Natural history, Aortic dissection - First Aid, Aortic dissection - Treatment, Aortic dissection - Medical management, Aortic dissection - Surgical management, Aortic dissection - Long term follow-up

Read more here: » Aortic dissection: Encyclopedia II - Aortic dissection - Treatment

It is unlikely that a first-aider will recognize this condition. Call for help and arrange for immediate transport to advanced medical care. In wilderness first aid, immediate evacuation is imperative, by MEDEVAC to an advanced medical facility if available. Transport immediately to a facility capable of emergency cardiac surgery such as a trauma center is suggested, not a community hospital without a surgical service. Supportive care including pain and blood pressure control sho ...

See also:

Aortic dissection, Aortic dissection - Overview, Aortic dissection - Classification systems, Aortic dissection - DeBakey classification system, Aortic dissection - Pathophysiology, Aortic dissection - Etiology, Aortic dissection - Signs and symptoms, Aortic dissection - Blood pressure changes, Aortic dissection - Aortic insufficiency, Aortic dissection - Myocardial infarction, Aortic dissection - Pleural effusion, Aortic dissection - Diagnosis, Aortic dissection - Chest X-ray, Aortic dissection - EKG, Aortic dissection - Biochemical markers, Aortic dissection - Transesophageal echocardiography, Aortic dissection - Aortogram, Aortic dissection - Spiral CT with contrast, Aortic dissection - MRI, Aortic dissection - Natural history, Aortic dissection - First Aid, Aortic dissection - Treatment, Aortic dissection - Medical management, Aortic dissection - Surgical management, Aortic dissection - Long term follow-up

Read more here: » Aortic dissection: Encyclopedia II - Aortic dissection - First Aid

As with all other arteries, the aorta is made up of three layers. The layer that is in direct contact with the flow of blood is the tunica intima, commonly called the intima. This layer is made up of mainly endothelial cells. Just deep to this layer is the tunica media, known as the media. This "middle layer" is made up of smooth muscle cells and elastic tissue. The outermost layer (furthest from the flow of blood) is known as the tunica adventitia or the adventitia ...

See also:

Aortic dissection, Aortic dissection - Overview, Aortic dissection - Classification systems, Aortic dissection - DeBakey classification system, Aortic dissection - Pathophysiology, Aortic dissection - Etiology, Aortic dissection - Signs and symptoms, Aortic dissection - Blood pressure changes, Aortic dissection - Aortic insufficiency, Aortic dissection - Myocardial infarction, Aortic dissection - Pleural effusion, Aortic dissection - Diagnosis, Aortic dissection - Chest X-ray, Aortic dissection - EKG, Aortic dissection - Biochemical markers, Aortic dissection - Transesophageal echocardiography, Aortic dissection - Aortogram, Aortic dissection - Spiral CT with contrast, Aortic dissection - MRI, Aortic dissection - Natural history, Aortic dissection - First Aid, Aortic dissection - Treatment, Aortic dissection - Medical management, Aortic dissection - Surgical management, Aortic dissection - Long term follow-up

Read more here: » Aortic dissection: Encyclopedia II - Aortic dissection - Overview

A large number of different causes have been identified as leading to myocarditis: Infectious: Viral (e.g. Coxsackie virus, rubella virus, polio virus, cytomegalovirus, possibly hepatitis C) Bacterial (e.g. brucella, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, gonococcus, Haemophilus influenzae, Tropheryma whipplei, and Vibrio cholerae). Spirochetal (Borrelia burgdorferi and leptospirosis) Protozoal (Toxoplasma gondii and Trypanosoma cruzi) Fungal (e. ...

See also:

Myocarditis, Myocarditis - Signs and symptoms, Myocarditis - Diagnosis, Myocarditis - Causes, Myocarditis - Epidemiology, Myocarditis - Therapy, Myocarditis - Famous deaths, Myocarditis - Reference

Read more here: » Myocarditis: Encyclopedia II - Myocarditis - Causes

Myocardial inflammation can be suspected on the basis of electrocardiographic results (ECG), elevated CRP and/or ESR and increased IgM (serology) against viruses known to affect the myocardium. Markers of myocardial damage (troponin or creatine kinase cardiac isoenzymes) are elevated. The ECG findings most commonly seen in myocarditis are diffuse T wave inversions, without shifts in the ST segment. The gold standard is still biopsy of the myocardium, generally done in the setting of angiography. A small tissue sample of ...

See also:

Myocarditis, Myocarditis - Signs and symptoms, Myocarditis - Diagnosis, Myocarditis - Causes, Myocarditis - Epidemiology, Myocarditis - Therapy, Myocarditis - Famous deaths, Myocarditis - Reference

Read more here: » Myocarditis: Encyclopedia II - Myocarditis - Diagnosis

The exact incidence of myocarditis is unknown. However, in series of routine autopsies, 1-9% of all patients had evidence of myocardial inflammation. In young adults, up to 20% of all cases of sudden death are due to myocarditis. In South America, Chagas' disease (caused by Trypanosoma cruzi) is the main cause of myocarditis. ...

See also:

Myocarditis, Myocarditis - Signs and symptoms, Myocarditis - Diagnosis, Myocarditis - Causes, Myocarditis - Epidemiology, Myocarditis - Therapy, Myocarditis - Famous deaths, Myocarditis - Reference

Read more here: » Myocarditis: Encyclopedia II - Myocarditis - Epidemiology

Ventricular fibrillation is considered a medical emergency. If the arrhythmia continues for more than a few seconds, blood circulation will cease, as evidenced by lack of pulse, blood pressure and respiration, and death will occur. Ventricular fibrillation is a cause of cardiac arrest and sudden cardiac death. The ventricular muscle twitches randomly, rather than contracting in unison, and so the ventricles fail to pump blood into the arteries and into systemic circulation. Ventricular fibrillation is a sudden lethal arrhythmia ...

See also:

Ventricular fibrillation, Ventricular fibrillation - Introduction, Ventricular fibrillation - Historical aspects, Ventricular fibrillation - Mechanisms of ventricular fibrillation, Ventricular fibrillation - Detailed description, Ventricular fibrillation - Prevalence, Ventricular fibrillation - Treatment, Ventricular fibrillation - Re-entry, Ventricular fibrillation - Abnormal automaticity, Ventricular fibrillation - Triggered activity, Ventricular fibrillation - Characteristics of the ventricular fibrillation waveform, Ventricular fibrillation - Power spectrum, Ventricular fibrillation - Frequency characteristics of ventricular fibrillation

Read more here: » Ventricular fibrillation: Encyclopedia II - Ventricular fibrillation - Introduction

The condition can often be reversed by the electric discharge of DC current from a defibrillator. Antiarrhythmic agents like amiodarone or lidocaine can help, but unlike atrial fibrillation, VF rarely reverses spontaneously in large adult mammals. Although a defibrillator is designed to correct the problem, and its effects can be dramatic, it is not always successful. In patients at high risk of ventricular fibrillation the use of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator has been shown to be beneficial. ...

See also:

Ventricular fibrillation, Ventricular fibrillation - Introduction, Ventricular fibrillation - Historical aspects, Ventricular fibrillation - Mechanisms of ventricular fibrillation, Ventricular fibrillation - Detailed description, Ventricular fibrillation - Prevalence, Ventricular fibrillation - Treatment, Ventricular fibrillation - Re-entry, Ventricular fibrillation - Abnormal automaticity, Ventricular fibrillation - Triggered activity, Ventricular fibrillation - Characteristics of the ventricular fibrillation waveform, Ventricular fibrillation - Power spectrum, Ventricular fibrillation - Frequency characteristics of ventricular fibrillation

Read more here: » Ventricular fibrillation: Encyclopedia II - Ventricular fibrillation - Treatment

Ventricular fibrillation has been described as "chaotic asynchronous fractionated activity of the heart" [Moe et al. 1964]. A more complete definition is that ventricular fibrillation is a "turbulent, disorganised electrical activity of the heart in such a way that the recorded electrocardiographic deflections continuously change in shape, magnitude and direction" [Robles de Medina 1978]. Ventricular fibrillation most commonly occurs within diseased hearts, and in the vast majority, it is a manifestation of underlying ischaemic heart ...

See also:

Ventricular fibrillation, Ventricular fibrillation - Introduction, Ventricular fibrillation - Historical aspects, Ventricular fibrillation - Mechanisms of ventricular fibrillation, Ventricular fibrillation - Detailed description, Ventricular fibrillation - Prevalence, Ventricular fibrillation - Treatment, Ventricular fibrillation - Re-entry, Ventricular fibrillation - Abnormal automaticity, Ventricular fibrillation - Triggered activity, Ventricular fibrillation - Characteristics of the ventricular fibrillation waveform, Ventricular fibrillation - Power spectrum, Ventricular fibrillation - Frequency characteristics of ventricular fibrillation

Read more here: » Ventricular fibrillation: Encyclopedia II - Ventricular fibrillation - Detailed description

Several different classification systems have been used to describe aortic dissections. The systems commonly in use are either based on the anatomy of the dissection or the duration of onset of symptoms prior to presentation. Aortic dissection - DeBakey classification system. The DeBakey system is an anatomical description of the aortic dissection. It categorizes the dissection based on where the original intimal tear is located and the extent of the dissection (localized to either the ascending aorta or d ...

See also:

Aortic dissection, Aortic dissection - Overview, Aortic dissection - Classification systems, Aortic dissection - DeBakey classification system, Aortic dissection - Pathophysiology, Aortic dissection - Etiology, Aortic dissection - Signs and symptoms, Aortic dissection - Blood pressure changes, Aortic dissection - Aortic insufficiency, Aortic dissection - Myocardial infarction, Aortic dissection - Pleural effusion, Aortic dissection - Diagnosis, Aortic dissection - Chest X-ray, Aortic dissection - EKG, Aortic dissection - Biochemical markers, Aortic dissection - Transesophageal echocardiography, Aortic dissection - Aortogram, Aortic dissection - Spiral CT with contrast, Aortic dissection - MRI, Aortic dissection - Natural history, Aortic dissection - First Aid, Aortic dissection - Treatment, Aortic dissection - Medical management, Aortic dissection - Surgical management, Aortic dissection - Long term follow-up

Read more here: » Aortic dissection: Encyclopedia II - Aortic dissection - Classification systems