Carditis

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Carditis is the inflammation of the heart or its surrounding tissues. It is a broad term that encompasses several specific conditions, each affecting different parts of the heart. The primary types of carditis include endocarditis, myocarditis, and pericarditis.

Types of Carditis

Endocarditis

Endocarditis is the inflammation of the inner lining of the heart chambers and valves, known as the endocardium. It is often caused by an infection, typically bacterial, that enters the bloodstream and settles in the heart lining, a heart valve, or a blood vessel. Symptoms may include fever, chills, fatigue, and heart murmurs.

Myocarditis

Myocarditis refers to the inflammation of the heart muscle, or myocardium. This condition can result from infections, autoimmune diseases, or exposure to certain toxins. Symptoms of myocarditis can include chest pain, shortness of breath, and irregular heartbeats. Severe cases can lead to heart failure.

Pericarditis

Pericarditis is the inflammation of the pericardium, the thin sac-like membrane surrounding the heart. It can be caused by infections, autoimmune conditions, or other medical conditions. Symptoms often include sharp chest pain, which may spread to the shoulders, neck, or back, and can worsen with deep breaths or lying down.

Causes

Carditis can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

• Infections (bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic)
• Autoimmune diseases (such as rheumatic fever or lupus)
• Toxins (such as alcohol or certain drugs)
• Radiation therapy
• Heart attack or heart surgery

Symptoms

The symptoms of carditis can vary depending on the type and severity of the inflammation. Common symptoms include:

• Chest pain or discomfort
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Shortness of breath
• Swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet
• Irregular heartbeats or palpitations

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of carditis typically involves a combination of medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests. These may include:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG)
• Echocardiogram
• Blood tests
• Chest X-ray
• Cardiac MRI

Treatment

Treatment for carditis depends on the underlying cause and the severity of the condition. Options may include:

• Antibiotics or antiviral medications for infections
• Anti-inflammatory drugs for inflammation
• Immunosuppressive therapy for autoimmune causes
• Surgery in severe cases, such as valve repair or replacement

Prognosis

The prognosis for carditis varies widely depending on the type, cause, and severity of the condition. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are crucial for improving outcomes. Some cases may resolve completely with treatment, while others may lead to chronic heart conditions or complications.

Prevention

Preventive measures for carditis include:

• Prompt treatment of infections
• Regular medical check-ups
• Managing chronic health conditions
• Avoiding exposure to toxins

See also

• Cardiovascular disease
• Heart failure
• Rheumatic heart disease
• Infective endocarditis

External links

Cardiovascular disease A-Z

Most common cardiac diseases

• Cardiac arrhythmia‎
• Cardiogenetic disorders‎
• Cardiomegaly‎
• Cardiomyopathy‎
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation‎
• Chronic rheumatic heart diseases‎
• Congenital heart defects‎
• Heart neoplasia‎
• Ischemic heart diseases‎
• Pericardial disorders
• Syndromes affecting the heart‎
• Valvular heart disease‎

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

A

• Accelerated idioventricular rhythm
• Acute decompensated heart failure
• Arteriosclerotic heart disease
• Athletic heart syndrome
• Atrial flutter
• Atrioventricular fistula
• Cardiovascular disease in Australia
• Autoimmune heart disease

B

• Brown atrophy of the heart

C

• Ebb Cade
• Cardiac allograft vasculopathy
• Cardiac amyloidosis
• Cardiac asthma
• Cardiac tamponade
• Cardiogenic shock
• Cardiogeriatrics
• Cardiorenal syndrome
• Cardiotoxicity
• Carditis
• Coronary artery aneurysm
• Coronary artery anomaly
• Coronary artery disease
• Spontaneous coronary artery dissection
• Coronary artery ectasia
• Coronary occlusion
• Coronary steal
• Coronary thrombosis
• Coronary vasospasm
• Cœur en sabot
• Coxsackievirus-induced cardiomyopathy

D

• Duke Treadmill Score
• Duroziez's disease

E

• Eisenmenger's syndrome
• Embryocardia
• Endocardial fibroelastosis
• Eosinophilic myocarditis

H

• Heart attack
• Heart failure
• Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
• Heart to Heart (1949 film)
• High-output heart failure
• Hyperdynamic precordium

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

I

• Idiopathic giant-cell myocarditis
• Interventricular dyssynchrony
• Intraventricular dyssynchrony
• Isolated atrial amyloidosis

K

• Keshan disease

L

• Loeffler endocarditis

M

• Mydicar
• Myocardial bridge
• Myocardial disarray
• Myocardial rupture
• Myocardial scarring
• Myocardial stunning
• Myocarditis

N

• Nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis

O

• OLR1
• Ostial disease

P

• Papillary fibroelastoma
• Pathophysiology of heart failure
• Postpericardiotomy syndrome
• Pulmonary vein stenosis

R

• Right axis deviation
• Roemheld syndrome

S

• Saturated fat and cardiovascular disease
• SCAR-Fc
• Shone's syndrome
• Strain pattern
• Subacute bacterial endocarditis
• Sudden cardiac death of athletes

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

T

• Traumatic cardiac arrest

V

• Ventricular aneurysm
• Vibroacoustic disease
• Viral cardiomyopathy

W

• Waon therapy