Atrial Septal Defect

Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) is also referred to as a hole in the heart. It is a type of congenital heart disease in which an abnormal opening in the dividing wall between the upper filling chambers of the heart is observed. Septum is a wall separating the right and left atrium. In children suffering from…

Normal Cholesterol Level and its Importance

Cholesterol is a fatty, waxy substance that is naturally present in the cell membrane of the heart, muscles, intestine, liver, skin, brain and nerves. Liver makes up about 80% of the requirement and therefore our diet needs to supplement only the rest 20%.  Excess cholesterol in the body causes increase in its flow in the…

Life Expectancy in Paediatric Heart Transplant

Today heart transplantation is not as uncommon as it was in the past. Besides, with development in science the success rates are even higher, as so is the post-op survival and life expectancy. Today one can estimate a survival over twenty years post a paediatric heart transplantation surgery. Besides, more than 70% of the cases…

Ectopic Heart Beat – Types and Symptoms

An Ectopic Beat is an irregular heart beat that occurs due to variations in the electric conduction or impulse of the heart. It is usually harmless and occurs due to various triggering factors. Sometimes it also is an indication of an underlying cardiac ailment.  Ectopic beats can have an origin in the atrium or can…

Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome (WPW Syndrome)

WPW Syndrome stands for Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome. It is also called as Ventricular pre-excitation with arrhythmia. WPW syndrome is the most common type of ventricular pre-excitation syndromes. In normal conditions, the electrical signals in the heart move through the heart using a single path. It is as a result of the movement of electrical signals from…

Dos and Don’ts with a Cardiac Pacemaker

A Cardiac Pacemaker is a device placed externally or internally to treat patients with irregular heartbeat. Naturally, the heart beats are controlled through electrical impulses from sinus node. A pacemaker is administered to the patients with ‘cardiac arrhythmia’ when this natural system fails and results in heart problems with too slow, too quick, or an…

Transradial Coronary Angioplasty

Coronary angioplasty is a procedure to open narrowed or blocked coronary arteries.Usually the procedure is done via the transfemoral route.Though this route provides an easy vascular access,due to certain complications at the vascular site an alternative route has been experimented and has been successful.The complications of femoral access includes grion hematoma,may require blood transfusion, and…

Clopidogrel: Pros and Cons, Side Effects and Cost

Clopidogrel is an antiplatelet agent, effective in inhibiting thrombus formation in arteries. It is very efficient drug for unhindered arterial circulation, where anticoagulants have minimal impact. The drug is specifically used to inhibit blood clots in the case of coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, and cerebrovascular disease. Clopidogrel is marketed only by the following…