Kardotoxiska

Kardotoxiska is a term used in some toxicology and pharmacology writings to describe toxic effects directed at the heart, or substances with pronounced cardiotoxic properties. The word blends the Greek roots kardia (heart) and toxikon (poison). In this usage, kardotoxiska denotes cardiotoxicity with a focus on direct cardiac injury, including damage to cardiomyocytes, altered cardiac function, and electrical disturbances.

The concept encompasses a range of manifestations, such as cardiomyopathy, heart failure, arrhythmias, myocarditis, and conduction abnormalities. It emphasizes toxic effects that compromise cardiac tissue and function, rather than systemic or non-cardiac toxicity.

Mechanistically, kardotoxiska is thought to involve oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, disruption of calcium handling, interference with cardiac ion channels, and microvascular injury. Inflammation and immune responses may also contribute to the progression of cardiac damage.

Assessment of kardotoxiska typically relies on clinical and imaging markers of cardiac injury, including troponin and natriuretic peptides, as well as echocardiography and cardiac MRI. Preclinical models and in vitro assays using cardiomyocytes are used to study mechanisms and test potential protective strategies.

In practice, the term is not a formal diagnostic category and may appear as a descriptive label in niche or speculative contexts. Known agents with cardiotoxic potential, such as anthracycline chemotherapies, illustrate the concept, but kardotoxiska is often discussed alongside broader cardiotoxicity terms. Related topics include cardiotoxicity, chemotherapy-induced cardiomyopathy, and drug safety.