Wsierdzie – structure, functions and endocardial diseases

Proven content

The endocardium is the thin, smooth tissue that makes up the lining of the heart’s ventricles and valves. The innermost layer of the heart wall serves as a barrier between the heart muscle and the bloodstream and contains the necessary blood vessels. It also houses the heart’s conduction system, which regulates the activity of the heart muscle. Given this vital role – both in directing blood through the heart and regulating the heartbeat – endocardial problems can have drastic health consequences. Speech here, among others about endocarditis, infections and inflammation of those tissues that particularly affect the valves

Wsierdzie – what is it and what are its functions?

The heart, which pumps blood throughout the body, has four chambers lined with endocardium. As the innermost layer of the heart wall, it fulfills two important functions.

Anatomical function – the tissue covering the inside of the heart, the endocardium separates the blood flowing through the heart from the heart muscle. It also lines the valves that open and close to regulate blood flow through the chambers of the heart.

Conductive system – the activity and rhythm of the heart are regulated by electrical signals that pass through the nerves embedded in the endocardium. These nerves are connected to the heart muscle, causing the muscle to contract and relax, pumping blood through the body.

See also: The work of the heart and its disorders. What are the most common heart diseases? [WE EXPLAIN]

Wsierdzie – construction

Since we already know what functions it is responsible for, it is also important that we know the exact location of the endocardium and its structure.

The location of the endocardium

As the inner lining of the heart, the endocardium runs along the walls of the four chambers of the heart (left and right ventricles and left and right atriums). In addition, this tissue represents the outer layers of the tricuspid, pulmonary, mitral and aortic valves that serve as gates between the ventricles. The end of the heart is one of the three layers that make up the walls of the heart. As the innermost, it is connected to the heart muscle, which is the thickest of the layers. Around the heart muscle is the epicardium, the tissue containing the major nerves, vessels, and arteries that serve the heart itself.

Construction of the endocardium

The row consists of three sublayers that define its function.

1. Endothelium it is the innermost layer that controls the exchange of all materials between the bloodstream and the heart muscle. It consists of specialized endothelial cells that are of the same type as the cells that line arteries and veins.
2. Elastic tissue layer it consists of smooth muscles that put pressure on the veins that run through the layer and connective tissue.
3. Subcardial layer it is the outermost layer of the endocardium that serves as the connective tissue to the heart muscle. In addition to nerves and vessels, it contains fibrous collagen cells that provide structure and stability, and Purkinje fibers that deliver electrical signals to the heart muscle.

Wsierdzie – diseases

Given its central role in the heart, poor endocarditis can have serious consequences.

Endocarditis

Endocarditis is an inflammation of the endocardial cavities. This is the most serious and common endocardial condition. Endocarditis causes a number of symptoms including fever, chills, fatigue, chest pain, swelling in the limbs or abdomen, night sweats, and muscle and joint pain.

The condition is usually caused by a bacterial infection (called infective endocarditis), although it can be due to other causes.

Doctors diagnose the condition when suspected by taking blood tests as well as heart imaging such as echocardiogram, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and cardiac angiography.

Treatment includes intravenous (via IV) antibiotics, although surgery can also be used if these are unsuccessful. The latter involves carefully removing infected endocardial tissue, draining any swollen areas and, if necessary, repairing and / or replacing the affected tissue.

This problem usually occurs when patients have other heart problems or have artificial valves, and the prognosis for endocarditis is relatively poor, with 10 to 26% of patients dying during their hospital stay. It is estimated that 60 to 70% will survive five years. It should be added that this condition is seriously affected by the patient’s age, as well as the previous history of the disease.

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Mitral valve prolapse (MVP)

This congenital defect is characterized by abnormally thick tissue on the mitral valve (between the left ventricle and the atrium). Prolapse of the mitral valve leaflet causes the valve to “fall” back into the left atrium, leading to regurgitation of blood.

It is usually asymptomatic and may be characterized by a sudden heartbeat, fatigue, and chest discomfort. It is detected using imaging techniques such as an echocardiogram (echo of the heart). Treatment is usually not required; however, if it comes to a point where the valve leaks, intervention is needed to prevent a stroke or heart attack.

Carcinoid heart disease

Sometimes referred to as “Hedinger’s syndrome”, it is an advanced form of carcinoid syndrome, a spectrum disorder that results from the excessive secretion of hormones. As such, symptoms include facial flushing, chronic diarrhea, hypotension (low blood pressure), and others.

Eventually, it can lead to heart failure, causing difficulty breathing, fatigue, swelling in the legs, fast and irregular heartbeats, and sharp fluctuations in weight. It is diagnosed using standard cardiac imaging techniques such as electrocardiogram (EKG), computed tomography (CT) and others. It can be treated with drugs or by surgically removing problem tissues.

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