Radio Frequency Ablation in Cardiology

CATHETER ABLATION/RADIOFREQUENCY ABLATION Catheter ablation  is a medical procedure used to treat some types of arrhythmia  During catheter ablation, a long, thin, flexible tube is put into a blood vessel in your arm, groin (upper thigh), or neck. This tube is called an ablation catheter. It's guided into your heart through the blood vessel. A special machine, called a generator, sends energy through the ablation catheter to your heart. The energy modifies, via heating, or, less commonly, freezing, small areas of heart tissue where abnormal heartbeats may cause an arrhythmia to start. Radiofrequency (RF) energy...

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Diabetes insipidus

Introduction Diabetes insipidus (DI) is a condition which causes frequent urination. The reduction in production or release of ADH results in fluid and electrolyte imbalance caused by increased urinary output. Depending on the cause, Diabetes insipidus may be transient or life long condition. In its clinically significant forms, diabetes insipidus is a rare disease.     Definition Diabetes insipidus (DI) is a group of conditions associated with a deficiency of secretion of anti-diuretic hormone characterized by the chronic excretion of abnormally large volumes (more than 50 mL/kg) of dilute urine.   Incidence The...

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ALZEIMERS DISEASE

  DEFINITION Alzheimer s disease is a chronic progressive degenerative disease of the brain.It is characterized by the permanent destruction of the brain cells INCIDENCE The incidence rate is same for all the ethnic group although the incidence will be more in African Americans and Hispanic Americans. Women are more likely to develop Alzeimers than that of men.Individuals with Down s syndrome are at high risk for developing Alzeimer s disease.Theymay develop clinical symptoms at the age of 20 or by the age of 40.Age is also a major risk factor for dementia. ETIOLOGY The exact etiology is unknown. Age is a factor which...

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BELL’S PALSY

Bell’s palsy (facial paralysis)is caused by unilateral inflammation of the seventh cranial nerve, which results in weakness or paralysis of the facial muscles on the affected side. Bell s palsy is a type of pressure paralysis. The inflamed edematous nerve becomes compressed to the point of damage or the blood supply is occluded, producing ischemic necrosis of the nerve. It affects the facial nerve the seventh cranial nerve.It affects men and women in the same incidence rate ETIOLOGY The cause is unknown. Vascular ischemia, viral disease(herpes zoster, Herpes simplex),autoimmune disease or a combination of all these factors.   CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS The face is distorted from paralysis of the facial muscles. Increased lacrimation. Painful sensation of the face behind the ear and in the eye. Speech difficulties...

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ARTHROPOD BORNE VIRUS ENCEPHALITIS

Arthropod vectors transmits many vectors that causes encephalitis.Theprimary vector is mosquito.In case of West Nile virus,humans are the secondary host,birds are the primary host.Arbovirus infection occurs in specific geographic areas during summer.West Nile and St Louis are the most common type of arbovirus. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY 1. Viral infection occurs at the site of mosquito bite 2. The host immune response attempts to control the viral replication 3. If the immune response is not adequate viremia occurs 4. The virus gains access to the central nervous system via cerebral capillaries(It spreads from  neuron  to neuron typically...

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BRAIN TUMORS

Cancer begins in cells, the building blocks that make up tissues. Tissues make up the organs of the body.Normally, cells grow and divide to form new cells as the body needs them. When cells grow old, they die, and new cells take their place. Sometimes this orderly process goes wrong. New cells form when the body does not need them, and old cells do not die when they should. These extra cells can form a mass of tissue called a growth or tumor. INCIDENCE The annual rate of newly diagnosed brain tumors is 17000,with an estimate of 13100 deaths The brain is a frequent site of metastasis.Brain tumors rank as fourth cause for death of people between the age group of 35 to 54 years.Whites have a higher risk of malignant tumors compared with blacks.Meningiomas are the common brain tumors in Africa TYPES Brain tumors...

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BRAIN ABSCESS

DEFINITION A brain abscess is a collection of infectious material within the tissue of the brain.Bacteria is the most common causative organisms.The most common predisposing factors for abscess among immunocompetant people are ottitis media and sinusitis. ETIOLOGY Ottitis media and sinusitis. Intracranial surgery ,penetrating injury or tongue piercing. Wound or intra abdominal infection. Ottitis media, sinusitis,mastoiditis,dental infections and systemic infections.   CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS Head ache usually worse in the morning Fever,vomiting and focal neurological deficits.(weakness and decreasing vision reflects the area which is involved) Increased ICP and decreased level of consciousness   PATHOPHYSIOLOGY The mechanisms to the entry of the micro organisms are as follows: Direct extension-Infections...

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DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE

Low back pain is a significant public health disorder. Acute low back pain lasts for less than 3 months or longer. Most back pains are due to disc disease. CLINICAL MANIFESTATION Pain occurs in the involved part of the spinal cord.ie..Cervical, thoracic or lumbar. The clinical manifestations depends on the location, rate of development (acute or chronic)and the effect on the surrounding structures. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY 1. The intervertebral disc is a cartilaginous plate that forms a cushion between the vertebral bodies. This tough fibrous material is incorporated in a capsule. A ball like cushion in the centre of the disc is called nucleus pulposus. 2. In herniation of the intervertebral disc (ruptured disk) the nucleus of the disc protrudes into the annulus (fibrous ring around the disk)with subsequent nerve compression. 3....

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CEREBRO VASCULAR DISORDERS (STROKE)

Cerebro vascular disorders is an umbrella term that refers to the functional abnormality of the central nervous system that occurs when the normal blood supply to tha brain is distrupted.It is a leading disease which causes death and even life time disability in people. DEFINITION Stroke occurs when there is ischemia(distrupted blood supply)To a aprt of the brain or hemorrhage into the brain that results in the death of the brain cells.Functions such as movements,sensations or emotions that are controlled by the particular part is affected INCIDENCE African Americans have a higher incidence of stroke and higher death rates due to stroke when compared to whites.It is the third leading cause of death beyond cancer and heart disease TYPES Stroke is divided into two major categories: Ischemic Stroke-It occurs...

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