Encyclopedia of Health and Medicine

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EECP is most appropriate for people who are
not receiving adequate relief from medications
and would benefit from CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS
GRAFT (CABG) but cannot, or choose not, to
undergo the surgery. EECP is not appropriate for
people who have uncontrolled HYPERTENSION or
ARRHYTHMIA or who have bleeding disorders. There
are no identified risks associated with EECP. Some
people do find the pressure of the counterpulsations
somewhat uncomfortable.
See also ANGIOPLASTY; MEDICATIONS TO TREAT CAR-
DIOVASCULAR DISEASE.
fibroelastoma A noncancerous, connective tissue
tumor that arises from the ENDOCARDIUM, usually
on or near a HEART valve. Also called cardiac
papillary fibroelastoma, this rare tumor can
become serious or life threatening when it interferes
with the function of a heart valve. Fibroelastomas
most commonly form on or near the aortic
valve or the tricuspid valve. They may become
large enough to prevent the valve’s proper function
or to block the flow of BLOOD through the
valve. A fibroelastoma may also create turbulence
in the heart, allowing blood to pool and clot. Generally
fibroelestomas cause no symptoms and cardiologists
may detect them incidentally during
echocardiogram for other purposes. Because fibroelastomas
pose such a significant risk for clotting
and STROKE, cardiologists typically recommend surgery
to remove them. Cardiologists do not know
what causes fibroelastomas, though there is some
debate whether they are congenital or acquired.
See also ANTICOAGULATION THERAPY; OPEN HEART
SURGERY; SURGERY BENEFIT AND RISK ASSESSMENT;
VALVULAR HEART DISEASE.
gallop A pair of extra HEART SOUNDS the cardiologist
can hear with the bell of the STETHOSCOPE during
diastole, so-named because they occur in rapid
succession and sound like the hooves of a galloping
horse. The characteristic sound is that of a
deep-toned thud. A gallop often exists with tachycardia
(rapid, regular HEART RATE) and generally
signals ventricular dysfunction such as might follow
HEART ATTACK.
See also ARRHYTHMIA.