Learning Objectives

Chapter 24, Disorders of Cardiac Function

After studying this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. Characterize the function of the pericardium.
  2. Compare the clinical manifestations of acute pericarditis and chronic pericarditis.
  3. Describe the physiologic impact of pleural effusion on cardiac function and relate it to the life-threatening nature of cardiac tamponade.
  4. Relate the pathophysiology of constrictive pericarditis to its clinical manifestations.
  5. Describe blood flow in the coronary circulation and relate it to the determinants of myocardial oxygen supply and demand.
  6. Define the term acute coronary syndrome and distinguish among chronic stable angina, unstable angina, non–ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, and ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in terms of pathology, symptomatology, ECG changes, and serum cardiac markers.
  7. Compare the treatment goals for stable angina and the acute coronary syndromes.
  8. Define the term cardiomyopathy as it relates to both the mechanical and electrical function of the myocardium.
  9. Describe the role of genetics in the etiology of the primary cardiomyopathies.
  10. Differentiate among the pathophysiologic changes that occur with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathies, and myocarditis.
  11. List four causes of secondary cardiomyopathy.
  12. Describe the treatment strategies of both primary and secondary cardiomyopathy.
  13. Distinguish between the roles of infectious organisms and the immune system in infective endocarditis and rheumatic fever.
  14. Describe the relation between the infective vegetations associated with infective endocarditis and the extracardiac manifestations of the disease.
  15. Describe the long-term effects of rheumatic fever and primary and secondary prevention strategies for rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease.
  16. State the function of the heart valves and relate alterations in hemodynamic function of the heart that occur with valvular disease.
  17. Compare the effects of stenotic and regurgitant mitral and aortic valvular heart disease on cardiovascular function.
  18. Compare the methods of and diagnostic information obtained from cardiac auscultation and echocardiography as they relate to valvular heart disease.
  19. Trace the flow of blood in the fetal circulation, state the function of the foramen ovale and ductus arteriosus, and describe the changes in circulatory function that occur at birth.
  20. Compare the effects of left-to-right and right-to-left shunts on the pulmonary circulation and production of cyanosis.
  21. Describe the anatomic defects and altered patterns of blood flow in children with atrial septal defects, ventricular septal defects, endocardial cushion defects, pulmonary stenosis, tetralogy of Fallot, patent ductus arteriosus, transposition of the great vessels, coarctation of the aorta, and single-ventricle anatomy.
  22. Describe the prevalence of the condition and issues of concern for adults with congenital heart disease.
  23. Describe the manifestations related to the acute, subacute, and convalescent phases of Kawasaki disease.