36^th European Heart and Heart Failure Congress

Myocardial and Pericardial Disease

Damage to the heart muscle most often develops from coronary artery disease (CAD) related myocardial infarction, usually in people in their middle or later decades. Inherited forms of heart muscle disease (Cardiomyopathies) are the most prominent cause of myocardial disease in the young. Myocardial infarction and cardiomyopathies are the major causes of heart failure and arrhythmic sudden death.

Pericardial disease or pericarditis is an inflammation of the pericardium. Pericarditis is characterised by pericardial friction rub (an audible sound of rubbing heard along with the heart beat), chest pain and changes in an electrocardiogram (ECG, test to evaluate the heart function). It is seen more commonly in men than in women. Chronic pericarditis may occur due to the recurrence of acute pericarditis or due to a chronic infection such as tuberculosis.