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Unique Aspects of Vascular and Cardiac Ultrasound in Racial/Ethnic Groups

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Cardiovascular Disease in Racial and Ethnic Minorities

Part of the book series: Contemporary Cardiology ((CONCARD))

Abstract

Cardiac ultrasound is a portable, relatively inexpensive primary tool which assists the clinician with evaluation of several conditions found disproportionately in minority populations. Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is more prevalent in African-Americans and this is a precursor to increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in this population. Left ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction are also power predictors of morbidity and mortality, often presenting with clinical features and etiologies that are different than non African-American populations. Abnormalities of diastolic function also develop from infiltrative processes found in specific minority populations, including amyloidosis and sarcoidosis.

Other cardiomyopathies including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in athletes and left ventricular noncompaction are important areas of clinical research in the application of cardiac ultrasound. Obesity, a well-described potent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, is increased in certain racial/ethnic populations and has certain echocardiographic features that can be identified. Kawasaki disease is seen predominantly in children, with a high incidence in Asians, and along with certain constitutional symptoms, demonstrates unique echocardiographic findings.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group, San Diego, CA, USA

    Robert L. Gillespie MD

  2. Cardiology Division, The Columbia University Harlem Hospital Center, New York, NY, USA

    Icilma V. Fergus MD

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  1. Robert L. Gillespie MD
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  2. Icilma V. Fergus MD
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Cardiology Division, Emory University, 5355 Hunter Road, Atlanta, GA, 30349, USA

    Keith C. Ferdinand MD

  2. Department of Internal Medicine, New Hanover Regional Medical Center, 212 Walnut Street, Wilmington, NC, 28401 #101, USA

    Annemarie Armani MD

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© 2009 Humana Press, a part of Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

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Gillespie, R.L., Fergus, I.V. (2009). Unique Aspects of Vascular and Cardiac Ultrasound in Racial/Ethnic Groups. In: Ferdinand, K.C., Armani, A. (eds) Cardiovascular Disease in Racial and Ethnic Minorities. Contemporary Cardiology. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-410-0_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-410-0_13

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

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  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59745-410-0

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