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What is HEC in medical terms?

Published in Medical Condition 1 min read

HEC, in medical terms, refers to a rare syndromic cardiac disease characterized by communicating hydrocephalus, endocardial fibroelastosis, and congenital cataracts.

This syndrome involves a specific combination of congenital defects:

  • Communicating Hydrocephalus: This is a condition where there's an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the brain's ventricles due to impaired CSF absorption. The "communicating" aspect means that the flow between the ventricles themselves isn't blocked.

  • Endocardial Fibroelastosis (EFE): EFE is a condition where the inner lining of the heart (endocardium) becomes thickened and stiff due to an overgrowth of fibrous and elastic tissue. This can impair the heart's ability to pump blood effectively.

  • Congenital Cataracts: These are cataracts that are present at birth. Cataracts are clouding of the eye's lens, leading to blurred vision.

Because the combination of these three conditions is rare, HEC syndrome is itself rare. Further research would be needed to ascertain further details regarding the causes, specific treatments, and prognosis of HEC.

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