TITLE:
Tropical Coronary Artery Disease and Arrhythmogenic Potentials—The Changing Pattern towards Endomyocardial Fibrosis—An Analysis
AUTHORS:
Ramachandran Muthiah
KEYWORDS:
Endomyocardial Fibrosis, Endocardial Plaques, Egg-Cell Calcification (Endocardial), Arrhythmias, Ischemic Injury, Newer Therapeutic Strategies, RAS Vaccine
JOURNAL NAME:
Case Reports in Clinical Medicine,
Vol.7 No.6,
June
22,
2018
ABSTRACT: Aim: To analyse the increasing burden of coronary artery disease (CAD) in tropical and subtropical belts of the Equator since it remains blurred and carries a grim prognosis. Introduction: Endomyocardial fibrosis [EMF] is a tropical febrile disorder, confined to peculiar and limited geographical areas. Plaque buildup in endocardium and coronary arteries, causing ischemic injury and arrhythmic episodes, is a vanishing mystery in its pathogenesis and emphasizing alternative routes for understanding and treatment of this enigmatic disease. Case Report: 15 cases in various age groups were reported with potential complications of coronary artery disease and arrhythmias, associated with endocardial lesions, the characteristic feature of endomyocardial fibrosis. Conclusion: The narrowing of coronary arteries as a result of thickening of the walls, spasm, inflammation, plaques and its rupture produce ischemic episodes which can occur slowly or suddenly in a devastating pattern with arrhythmogenic potentials. The important steps to prevent and decrease the risk of CAD is to reduce the chance of getting this disorder by epidemiological measures with an advice of blood thinning medications such as small daily dose aspirin, antibiotics in susceptible individuals and revascularization in established myocardial infarction.