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Featured Tests and Procedures
Aortic Valve Replacement
In an aortic valve replacement, the aortic valve is replaced with a manmade valve or a valve from an animal. This eMedTV article takes a detailed look at what this procedure entails and discusses possible complications.
Echocardiogram
As this eMedTV article explains, one of the tests used to identify irregular heart rhythms is an echocardiogram. For atrial fibrillation cases, an echocardiogram provides a live picture of the heart that can help doctors diagnose and treat the problem.
EKG
As explained in the eMedTV article, an EKG for atrial fibrillation may be done to confirm the diagnosis of the heart condition. In the event that an EKG for atrial fibrillation is inconclusive, event monitor tests may be conducted.
EPS
This eMedTV Web page explains how a test known as an electrophysiology study, or EPS, is used for atrial fibrillation diagnosis. An EPS for atrial fibrillation diagnosis helps determine the exact pattern of electrical activity in the heart.
Mitral Valve Replacement
Mitral valve replacement surgery involves replacing a defective or diseased mitral valve with a new valve. This eMedTV article discusses medical conditions that may be treated with this surgery, such as mitral valve stenosis.
Thyroid Test
As explained in this eMedTV resource, thyroid tests for atrial fibrillation diagnosis measure hormones known as TSH and T4. If the thyroid tests show that TSH or T4 levels are too high, they may be the cause of atrial fibrillation.
Featured Conditions and Diseases
Aortic Regurgitation
In aortic valve regurgitation, the aortic valve does not close properly, causing blood to flow backward. This eMedTV article points out that most cases are mild. In severe cases, surgery may be required. Treatment options are also discussed.
Aortic Stenosis
Aortic stenosis is a condition that is characterized by a narrowing of the aortic valve in the heart. This eMedTV offers an overview of this condition, including information on its causes, symptoms, and treatment options.
Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation is when the heart beats irregularly -- it is not a heart attack. This segment from the eMedTV library explains this medical condition in detail, with information on how it is diagnosed and treated, possible risk factors, and more.
Bicuspid Aortic Valve
Normally the heart's aortic valve has three cusps, but a bicuspid aortic valve has only two cusps. As this eMedTV page explains, this type of aortic valve is not usually a problem. This article takes a look at how it is diagnosed and treated.
Coronary Heart Disease
As explained in this eMedTV article, the causes of coronary heart disease (CHD) involve a narrowing of the coronary arteries. There are also certain risk factors (such as smoking or being overweight) that increase a person's chances of developing CHD.
Hardening of the Arteries
Hardening of the arteries (arteriosclerosis) refers to the hardening and thickening of blood vessels. This eMedTV article examines the conditions that cause hardened arteries, such as atherosclerosis (a buildup of plaque on the artery walls).
Heart Diseases
Coronary artery disease is often referred to as "heart disease," but many different heart diseases exist. This eMedTV article discusses these conditions based on the area of the heart or blood vessel system they affect.
Mitral Stenosis
Mitral stenosis is the narrowing of the heart's mitral valve. The information contained in this eMedTV resource explains how the mitral valve works, as well as the health risks that may develop with this condition.
Mitral Valve Prolapse
Mitral valve prolapse occurs when leaflets abruptly bulge back into the atrium as the heart beats. This eMedTV Web page describes the anatomy behind the condition, explains how it is diagnosed, and discusses a person's prognosis.
Mitral Valve Regurgitation
When mitral valve regurgitation occurs, the heart's mitral valve does not close properly. This eMedTV article explains how this condition allows blood to leak backwards into the left atrium, possible symptoms, treatment options, and more.
Myocardial Infarction
A myocardial infarction is more commonly known as a heart attack. This portion of the eMedTV archives describes what happens during a myocardial infarction and provides information about recognizing symptoms of this life-threatening event.
Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is a type of irregular heartbeat that occurs only occasionally. As this eMedTV segment explains, an episode of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation may last a few minutes, hours, or days.
Pulmonary Stenosis
Pulmonary stenosis is a congenital heart disease in which the pulmonary valve of the heart is restricted. This eMedTV segment explains how the conditions is diagnosed and treated. People with mild cases typically require no treatment.
Tricuspid Regurgitation
Tricuspid regurgitation is a heart condition in which the tricuspid valve does not close properly. This eMedTV page describes symptoms and explains that it is most often caused by rheumatic fever. Usually, this condition requires little or no treatment.
Tricuspid Stenosis
Tricuspid stenosis is a rare condition in which the heart's tricuspid valve is narrowed. This portion of the eMedTV archive discusses the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of tricuspid stenosis.
Featured Medications
Acebutolol
Acebutolol is a prescription drug approved to treat high blood pressure and certain irregular heart rhythms. This eMedTV segment describes how the product works, offers dosing information, and talks about the side effects that may occur.
Blocadren
Blocadren is a prescribed drug used to treat several conditions related to the heart and blood vessels. This eMedTV page covers possible uses, such as treating high blood pressure and preventing heart attacks, as well as general precautions.
Carvedilol CR
Carvedilol CR is a prescription drug used to treat a few conditions related to the heart and blood vessels. This eMedTV resource discusses specific uses of the drug, explains how the medication works, and lists some of its potential side effects.
Esmolol
Esmolol is a drug used during surgeries or emergencies to treat arrhythmias, tachycardia, or hypertension. This eMedTV segment covers this medicine in more detail, including how it works, potential side effects, and more.
Multaq
Multaq is a prescription drug used to treat irregular heart rhythms (atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter). This eMedTV article describes the specific effects of this medicine, explores how it may work, and offers dosing information for the product.
Sotalol
Sotalol is often prescribed for the treatment of irregular heart rhythms. This page on the eMedTV Web site discusses these uses in more detail, describes how the medicine works, and offers important information on when and how to take it.
Warfarin
Warfarin is a prescription medicine licensed to prevent and treat blood clots due to various causes. This eMedTV article describes how this medication works, lists potential side effects, and explains what you should be aware of before taking it.
Featured Symptoms
Heart Murmur
As this eMedTV article explains, a heart murmur is an unexpected sound that is heard while listening to a person's heartbeat. While most are harmless -- and are even present from birth -- some are an indication that there is a problem with the heart.
Featured Anatomy
Heart
The human heart is a hollow, muscular, fist-sized organ that pumps blood through a network of blood vessels. This eMedTV segment takes an in-depth look at the different parts of the heart and explains how they function within the circulatory system.
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