Massive Cardiomegaly: Causes and Underlying Cardiac Conditions

Massive Cardiomegaly: Causes and Underlying Cardiac Conditions

Question. Enumerate the causes of massive cardiomegaly.

Answer. The causes of massive cardiomegaly are:

1. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and dilated
   *cardiomyopathy
2. Congenital insuffiency of tricuspid valve
3. Pediatric anesthesia
4. Nonuniform pulmonary artery perfusion
5. Idiopathic arterial calcifiation in childhood.
6. Cyanosis
7. Alveolar hemorrhage syndrome with renal involvement
8. Rheumatic fever
9. Pericardial effsion
10. Ebstein anomaly.

Question. Describe briefly verapamil.

Answer. Verapamil is a Class IV anti arrhythmic agent and an anti hypertensive drug.

Mechanism of action verapamil.

1. It leads to coronary dilatation and decreases myocardial oxygen consumption.
2. It interferes with the inward displacement of calcium and delays conduction within the AV node.

Dosage verapamil.

40 or 80 mg TDS orally
Or
5 mg to 10 mg IV paroxysmal atrial tachycardia.

Side effects verapamil.

1. Constipation
2. Hypotension
3. Vertigo
4. Nervousness

Indications verapamil.

1. In supraventricular tachycardias such as atrial tachycardia
   and atrial firillation
2. In premature heart beats
3. In ischemic heart disease such as angina
4. In hypertension