The diagnosis of carcinoid heart disease is based on high clinical suspicion. Patients with the disease typically develop symptoms during the fifth to seventh decade of life, usually around the age of 55 to 60 years. The lag in diagnosis is between 24 and 28 months and between two and five years. In some cases, a patient may not experience symptoms until years after the onset of the condition. However, the symptoms of carcinoid syndrome include chest pain, flushing, diarrhoea, and bronchospasm.
A multidisciplinary team of experts at a leading cardiothoracic surgery center can help diagnose the condition. A team of cardiovascular anesthesiologists, cardiac surgeons, and other specialists can examine the patient’s pericardial blood chemistry and determine a treatment plan. In some cases, pulmonary vascular surgery is the only option. But if the fibrosis is too advanced, surgery may be required.
A large study by the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., has suggested that a single, low-fatal occurrence of the disease can lead to fatal outcomes. The earliest possible diagnosis of the disease can be achieved through external records and CT scans. To further evaluate the risk of cardiac death, 5-HIAA may be a useful marker. Echocardiograms were performed if the patient had symptoms of valvular heart disease, and were necessary as a preoperative assessment before partial hepatectomy.
In the midgut, the severity of the carcinoid heart disease is also important. It increases the risk of developing pulmonary stenosis and pulmonary regurgitation. In a separate study, the severity of the tricuspid valve regurgitation was found to be an important predictor of outcome. The research was conducted by Moller JE and colleagues in 2002, and was published in the N Engl J Med 348(11) journal.
The most common symptoms of carcinoid heart disease are coughing, abdominal pain, and chest pain. Other carcinoid heart disease symptoms include difficulty breathing and chronic diarrhea. If left untreated, the disease can lead to a thickened heart lining, resulting in leaky valves and heart failure. The signs and symptoms of the condition vary from one patient to another, and it’s vital to consult a physician to receive the correct diagnosis.
The symptoms of carcinoid heart disease are unpredictable and require a high level of clinical supervision. The disease is diagnosed when it is symptomatic, but the average patient may not experience symptoms for two years. The symptoms of the disease are difficult to identify and can even be life-threatening. In such cases, the patient may have to undergo a number of procedures, including surgery. It is important to understand that the onset of the disease is not the same as the time it takes to diagnose it.
Although this condition can be life-threatening, treatment depends on the type of cancer. In some cases, the patient will be at risk of heart failure and will require surgery to replace damaged heart valves. In such cases, chemotherapy is administered. The treatment of carcinoid heart disease depends on the type of cancer. In some patients, the condition is not terminal. While a successful surgery can improve the quality of life, it may prolong the disease.
The median survival of patients with advanced carcinoid heart disease is 2.6 years after the diagnosis of cardiac involvement. The mortality rate is primarily related to the severity of the disease, but it can also be delayed if the patient has hepatic dysfunction. A person with this condition may develop right-sided heart failure or a dysfunctional tricuspid or pulmonary valve. In rare cases, the tumor can cause death.
In patients with carcinoid heart disease, there are several treatment options. This disease is most likely to develop on the right side of the heart. The risk of cardiac cancer is greater in patients with other types of cancer. Some patients may not exhibit any symptoms and have no symptoms. The treatment of carcinoid heart disease depends on the severity of the problem. Medical treatments can be life-saving. If the disease is advanced, surgery is a viable option.
