Cardiovascular disorders cardiac failure

Cardiovascular Disorders and Copper. Sudden cardiac failure has been associated with copper deficiency (91J. There are two attractive mechanisms. First, the coronary arteries and aorta may become weakened from an inability to synthesize elastin due to a decrease in lysyl oxidase activity. Rupture of these major blood vessels has been shown to cause sudden death in animals suffering from copper deficiency. Second, a decrease in cytochrome oxidase activity during copper deficiency Impairs aerobic metabolism of the heart and increases the risk of hypertrophy. Hypertrophy, which may lead to high output congestive heart failure, is exacerbated by hypochromic anemia also caused by copper deficiency. 

There are many disorders of the cardiovascular system and blood. Common cardiovascular disorders are cardiac failure, ischaemic heart disease, arrhythmias and hypertension. Although these conditions cannot be cured by drug therapy, there are many drugs available to help control them. Cardiac glycosides are useful in cardiac failure and arrhythmias because they improve myocardial contractility and slow conduction through the heart. 

Cardiovascular Cardiac toxicity due to chronic chloroquine use includes conduction disorders, congestive heart failure, prolongation of the QT interval, myocardial hypertrophy, and restrictive cardiomyopathy. Third degree atrioventricular block and sudden cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation caused by chloroquine, unusual reactions, have been reported [6" ]. 

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