Many are interested in the fact that this is an increase in the left atrium. This condition means that such a phenomenon is pathological in nature, and pathology is often diagnosed in people of different ages. The increase in the size of the atrium on the left is regarded as a harbinger of quite serious diseases that are associated with the work of the heart vessels and its muscles. It is very necessary to quickly identify this deviation in the patient, as well as effectively eliminate it.
Body description
The left ventricle is a special chamber of the heart, which begins the largest circle of blood circulation.
Due to the fact that this ventricle contracts, it pushes the main amount of blood out of itself, which is supplied to various organs and, in fact, to the brain, also nourishing the whole heart. That is, this camera plays an extremely important role in the full functioning of the heart, experiencing considerable loads. Therefore, it is the left atrium that begins to suffer from the consequences first when any problems occur.
The essence of the disease
An increase in the cavity of the left atrium is also called hypertrophy - a disease determined by a thickening of the left side of the ventricle, which causes a loss of surface elasticity. With an uneven enlargement of the septum, a person may also additionally experience impaired functioning of the mitral and aortic heart valve.
An increase in the left atrium is indicated by a thickening of the myocardium, which reaches at least 1.5 cm. This ailment is called the underlying cause of the appearance of myocardial infarction and the preliminary death of young people who are very actively involved in various power loads.
An increase in the volume of the left atrium, which will not be cured in time, can progress. Adapting to more difficult working conditions, cardiomyocytes begin the process of growth, the walls of the ventricle located on the left side of the heart become denser and may lose their elasticity.
The interiors of the chamber do not change, and the septum, which is located between adjacent ventricles, can gradually expand, which sometimes causes a malfunction in the functioning of the aortic and mitral heart valves.
Due to the increase in the left atrium in the child and adult, the vessels of the myocardium, which needs an increased amount of oxygen, can contract.
It is noteworthy that the signs of this pathology do not always differ in severity, which, of course, exacerbates the general condition of a sick person. With timely therapy, even an advanced course of the disease can be successfully cured. After you know what it is - an increase in the left atrium, the signs of which are not always visible, it is worth saying what causes them.
Reasons for the increase
The risk of thickening of the atrium on the left is significantly increased if relatives have previously detected heart disease.
Among the main causes of a small increase in the left atrium, the following are very common:
- diabetes;
- overweight;
- ischemia and atherosclerosis;
- hypertension;
- heavy loads;
- peripheral vascular disease;
- stressful situations;
- muscle dystrophy;
- stenosis of the aortic valves;
- Farby's disease
- bad habits;
- mental instability;
- human inactivity;
- lack of sleep.
The above factors provoke an increase in pulsation of the blood mass and an increase in the heart muscle, as well as excessive compaction of the septum of the left ventricle.
Other reasons
The severity of this condition depends on the loads that make the myocardium work much harder. The factors that provoke an increase in the left ventricle include the following:
- atherosclerosis of the aortic valve;
- arterial hypertension (very common);
- glomerulonephritis.
The listed reasons can provoke the development of an acquired increase in the left heart ventricle. Doctors also distinguish a number of hereditary anomalies, which becomes the cause of the growth of the muscle layer of the left atrium:
- reduced aortic size;
- mutation of genes that control protein synthesis;
- defect of the septum between the ventricles;
- infection of the artery of the lungs;
- aortic valve stenosis;
- mitral heart failure.
Danger of disease
It is worth noting about what threatens to increase the atrium (left or right). As a result of this, the patient has a malnutrition of the heart, abnormal hyperactivity zones are formed. According to doctors, a person can develop arrhythmia, and as a result of an increased volume of heart muscles and impaired vascular blood flow, the risk of tissue necrosis and coronary heart disease increases. But if there is a lack of oxygen, the situation will worsen.
Hypertrophy of the left atrium without proper treatment can have dangerous consequences, as a result of a sharply increased load on the myocardium, up to a fatal outcome. This is especially true for inactive and smokers who also consume strong drinks. Myocardial infarction, ischemia, and even cardiac arrest may develop.
Symptoms of Enlargement
Over a rather long period of time, left heart ventricular hypertrophy may not appear due to compensation for the growth of cardiomyocytes during normal blood circulation. After you know what it is - an increase in the left atrium, it is worth saying about its obvious signs.
The first signs of thickening of the heart tissue that should alert the patient are not recommended to be ignored:
- fatigue due to increased physical activity;
- shortness of breath, respiratory failure;
- periodically arising painful sensations (burning, pressing or compressing) in the heart, especially after exertion;
- frequent dizziness and fainting;
- pressure surges;
- atrial fibrillation;
- feeling of sinking heart;
- angina pectoris;
- increased swelling of the legs;
- bad dream.
Signs of an increase in the left atrium depend on the level of septum compaction, thickening of the heart and myocardium. This disease may indicate interruptions and inadequate functioning of the heart system. So, a patient may not suspect a developing illness for many years. Fading of the heart due to fainting, which occurs due to insufficient oxygen in the myocardium, may be noted. Such an increase is usually just a concomitant symptom of a particular disease.
Among these diseases, myocardial infarction, pulmonary edema, kidney disease, heart disease, etc. are distinguished. If any abnormalities are found, it is very important to consult a doctor immediately. With untimely treatment, there is a risk of developing complications that result in death or disability.
How to solve a problem
When detecting an increase in the left atrium, it is necessary to accurately determine the cause of this violation. The main thing in treatment is to normalize myocardial function and prevent possible complications as much as possible. This can be achieved by surgical or medical methods. Comprehensive treatment consists of:
- normalization of the rest mode, improvement of lifestyle;
- weight control;
- good nutrition;
- monitoring hormonal balance;
- moderate loads;
- minimize stressful situations.
Increase treatment
The goal of the treatment of enlarging the left ventricle in the heart is the normalization of the functioning of its muscles. To begin with, the doctor must identify the cause of the origin, as well as the existing features of the disease.
Be sure to perform a variety of diagnostic procedures: the patient must donate blood for a complete analysis, you need to regularly monitor blood pressure, perform an ultrasound scan, an echocardiogram and an electrocardiogram. Given the data obtained, it is possible to accurately diagnose and determine the most optimal treatment regimen.
The basis of therapy are drugs with negative effects, as well as those with an ionotropic effect - calcium blockers or antagonists (for example, Cardizem, Verapamil, Carvedilol, Procardia, Diltiazem). These drugs should be prescribed for life in optimal doses.
If cardiac arrhythmias have serious consequences, antiarrhythmic drugs (Amiodarone, Rhythmylene, Cordaron, Disopyramide), as well as nitroglycein preparations, which allow the expansion of coronary heart vessels, can be prescribed.
When systolic dysfunction and dilatation of cavities are detected, therapy for increasing the size of the left ventricle of the heart is performed according to generally accepted rules. For this, diuretics, ACE inhibitors, blockers, antagonists of ongiotensin receptors, as well as spironolactones are used. An increased dose of ACE and saluretics usually contribute to increased obstruction.
Therapy of this condition using surgical methods is prescribed in case of ineffective drug treatment, especially in the presence of asymmetric hypertrophy of the septum between the heart ventricles, with clinical manifestations, severe obstruction and subaortic pressure.
Operation
What it is - an increase in the left atrium, and how to treat it with a medication, is understandable. It is worth considering surgical methods. Usually, for treatment of this ailment, trans-aortic septal myectomy according to Morrow is used. Also quite effective is the operation performed according to K. Borisov and L. Bokeria, as a result of which the surgeon performs the elimination of the enlarged zone of the left septum. A good alternative is septal transcatheter ablation.
These surgical methods can reduce obstruction by reducing the septum between the ventricles of the heart. Surgeons often use a two-chamber pacemaker with atrioventricular delay.
Cardiomyopathy
This operation makes it possible to remove a more neglected hypertrophic area of the heart muscles. Often complete or partial heart transplants are performed.
So, if the enlargement of the ventricles of the left atrium is caused by damage to the septum or heart valve, organ transplantation is done first, which is easier than whole-heart surgery.
After performing cardiomyopathy, the patient should be monitored by a surgeon and cardiologist for life, as well as taking medications that will prevent coronary thrombosis.
Total
What is it - an increase in the left atrium? This is a dangerous pathology for health, which requires urgent diagnosis and treatment. Only with good treatment and regular examination by a cardiologist is the prognosis very favorable. In this case, living conditions do not change at all, patients remain able-bodied, and a woman can even give birth to a healthy child.