Re: Hello, just need some advice :)

Posted By Frederik on May 21, 1999 at 13:10:58
Hello, I have to make a very large homework, which I have to learn
and then talk about next year in front of a jury. The subject I'be chosen
is Cardiology. I'm only 17 years old, and I know it's a very difficult
thing to learn, but still, I want to do it. Why?? I'm suffering PVC's and
irregular heartrhythm due to stress. I while ago, I even ended up in the
hospital with some sort of cardiophobia, because I didn't believe that
there was nothing wrong with my heart. But now, I'm learning it, and I begin to understand what I have. It has made me come out of my depression.
My dad has the same symptoms for about 20 years now, and now he feels rela-
xed when I tell him why the heart skips a beat or why it causes a PVC.
It really changed my life, and I'm happy for that.
Ok, back to school now, I've collected many things from the forum here,
even several heart sounds, but there are soome things I don't understand,
and can't find :
a) I have a sound, that says the patint has Patent Ductus Arteriosus.
   What on earth is that???
b) Another sound I have is really strange to listen to, and it means
   Pericardial Rub. What does that mean??????
If you would be kind enough to tell me what that is please, I would be
delighted! Thx, and I maybe I will work with you in the future :)))
bye bye

[CCF CARDIO MD APS]

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD-APS on May 23, 1999 at 13:06:30
Dear Frederick,
Patent means open; the ductus arteriosis is a blood vessel connection between the pulmonary artery and the aorta that closes at birth.
The pericardium is the sac surrounding the heart and thus a pericardial rub is the sound heard when there is irritation of the pericardium and or underlying heart muscle; this sound is a scatchy sound.
For future reference Frederick, this forum is an informational forum for patients and their loved ones and not one for research as you are doing. The appropriate source for you would be a medical text and or library.
I hope this information is useful. Information provided in the heart forum is for
general purposes only.  Only your physician can provided specific diagnoses and therapies.
Feel free to write back with further questions. Good luck!










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