Patients with familial partial lipodystrophy of the Dunnigan type due to a LMNA R482W mutation show muscular and cardiac abnormalities

Diseases due to mutations in the lamin A/C gene (LMNA) are highly heterogeneous, including neuromuscular and cardiac dystrophies, lipodystrophies, and premature ageing syndromes. In this study we characterized the neuromuscular and cardiac phenotypes of patients bearing the heterozygous LMNA R482W mutation, which is the most frequent genotype associated with the familial partial lipodystrophy of the Dunnigan type (FPLD). Fourteen patients from two unrelated families, including 10 affected subjects, were studied. The two probands had been referred for lipoatrophy and/or diabetes. Lipodystrophy, exclusively observed in LMNA-mutated patients, was of variable severity and limited to postpubertal subjects. Lipodystrophy and metabolic disturbances were more severe in women, even if an enlarged neck was a constant finding. The severity of hypertriglyceridemia and hirsutism in females was related to that of insulin resistance. Clinical muscular alterations were only present in LMNA-mutated patients. Clinical and histological examination showed an invalidating, progressive limb-girdle muscular dystrophy in a 42-yr-old woman that had been present since childhood, associated with a typical postpubertal FPLD phenotype. Six of eight adults presented the association of calf hypertrophy, perihumeral muscular atrophy, and a rolling gait due to proximal lower limb weakness. Muscular histology was compatible with muscular dystrophy in one of them and/or showed a nonspecific excess of lipid droplets (in three cases). Immunostaining of lamin A/C was normal in the six muscular biopsies. Surprisingly, calpain 3 expression was undetectable in the patient with the severe limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, although the gene did not reveal any molecular alterations. At the cardiac level, cardiac septal hypertrophy and atherosclerosis were frequent in FPLD patients. In addition, a 24-yr-old FPLD patient had a symptomatic second degree atrioventricular block. In conclusion, we showed that most lipodystrophic patients affected by the FPLD-linked LMNA R482W mutation show muscular and cardiac abnormalities. The occurrence and severity of the myopathic and lipoatrophic phenotypes varied and were not related. The muscular phenotype was evocative of limb girdle muscular dystrophy. Cardiac hypertrophy and advanced atherosclerosis were frequent. FPLD patients should receive careful neuromuscular and cardiac examination whatever the underlying LMNA mutation.

Effects of bisoprolol in patients with stable congestive heart failure

AIM OF THE STUDY

To analyze the effect of bisoprolol in patients with stable congestive heart failure and who tolerated beta-blockers.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Two hundred and one patients performed before and 3 months after maximal tolerated doses of bisoprolol have been reached, a clinical evaluation, an echocardiography, a radionuclide angiography, a cardiopulmonary exercise test and hormonal determinations.

RESULTS

Mean dose of bisoprolol was 8.8 +/- 2.4 mg/d. Patients had a significant improvement in NYHA classification. Heart rate at rest decreased from 87 +/- 17 to 66 +/- 12 beats/min (P < 0.0001) without any effect on electrocardiographic parameters. Left ventricular ejection fraction improved from 31 +/- 11 to 41 +/- 13% (P < 0.0001), with a significant decrease in end-diastolic and end-systolic left ventricle diameters and volumes. Mitral profile improved. Peak VO2 increased from 16.1 +/- 5 to 16.8 +/- 5.5 ml/min/kg (P = 0.001) with a significant increase in O2 pulse (from 8.52 +/- 2.7 to 11.2 +/- 3.5 ml/min/beats, P < 0.0001). Plasma levels of A-type and of B-type natriuretic peptides and of norepinephrine significantly decreased after bisoprolol.

CONCLUSIONS

Bisoprolol significantly improved left ventricle ejection fraction with a reverse remodeling of the left ventricle, a decrease in hormonal activation and a modest improvement in exercise capacity.

Expanding the phenotype of LMNA mutations in dilated cardiomyopathy and functional consequences of these mutations

AIMS

Mutations in the lamin A/C gene (LMNA) have been reported to be involved in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) associated with conduction system disease and/or skeletal myopathy. The aim of this study was to perform a mutational analysis of LMNA in a large white population of patients affected by dilated cardiomyopathy with or without associated symptoms.

METHODS

We performed screening of the coding sequence of LMNA on DNA samples from 66 index cases, and carried out cell transfection experiments to examine the functional consequences of the mutations identified.

RESULTS

A new missense (E161K) mutation was identified in a family with early atrial fibrillation and a previously described (R377H) mutation in another family with a quadriceps myopathy associated with DCM. A new mutation (28insA) leading to a premature stop codon was identified in a family affected by DCM with conduction defects. No mutation in LMNA was found in cases with isolated dilated cardiomyopathy. Functional analyses have identified potential physiopathological mechanisms involving identified mutations, such as haploinsufficiency (28insA) or intermediate filament disorganisation (E161K, R377H).

CONCLUSION

For the first time, a specific phenotype characterised by early atrial fibrillation is associated with LMNA mutation. Conversely, mutations in LMNA appear as a rare cause of isolated dilated cardiomyopathy. The variable phenotypes observed in LMNA-DCM might be explained by the variability of functional consequences of LMNA mutations.

[Bilateral phrenic nerve paralysis, dysautonomia and restrictive cardiomyopathy in a case of POEMS syndrome]

We report a case of POEMS syndrome (Polyneuropathy, Organomegaly, Endocrinopathy, M protein and Skin changes) with unusual clinical features. A 62-year-old woman presented a severe polyneuropathy with dysphonia and vegetative symptoms, including bradycardia and sphincterial disorders. The clinical examination showed facial hyperpigmentation, cachexia, anasarca and splenomegaly. She also presented restrictive cardiomyopathy and endocrine disturbances. Nerve conduction studies revealed a severe demyelinating sensorimotor neuropathy. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed an elevated protein level. We detected a biclonal gammapathy (Ig G and Ig A with lambda light chain) and lytic pelvic bone lesions. Later, she developed a severe ventilatory failure due to a bilateral phrenic nerve paralysis leading to a mechanical ventilation. Steroids followed by localized radiotherapy partially improved the respiratory status and stabilized the neuropathy. Phrenic nerve paralysis, restrictive cardiomyopathy, vegetative symptoms and cranial nerve palsy are exceptional in POEMS syndrome. Moreover, this case emphasizes the importance of radiological investigations since the discover of plasmocytoma may improve the prognosis of POEMS syndrome.

Association between anticardiolipin antibodies and mortality in patients with peripheral arterial disease

PURPOSE

Anticardiolipin antibodies may be associated with recurrent thromboembolic events in patients with myocardial infarction or stroke. We sought to determine the prevalence of anticardiolipin antibodies in patients with peripheral arterial disease and their association with subsequent thromboembolic events and mortality.

METHODS

We ascertained anticardiolipin antibodies using a standardized enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (immunoglobulin G [IgG] anticardiolipin > or =15 GPL units or IgM anticardiolipin > or =15 MPL units) in 232 patients with peripheral arterial disease and 100 control subjects. Patients were observed to determine overall and cardiovascular mortality, and incident thromboembolic events.

RESULTS

IgG anticardiolipin antibodies were significantly more common in the patients with peripheral arterial disease (36 of 232 [16%]) than in the controls (7 of 100 [7%], P = 0.03). During a median follow-up of 3.5 years, 3 of the 232 patients were lost to follow-up and 56 (24%) died. Overall mortality was significantly greater in the IgG anticardiolipin-positive patients (16 of 35 [46%]) compared with those who were IgG anticardiolipin-negative (40 of 194 [21%], P = 0.0003), largely due to an increase in cardiovascular mortality among the IgG anticardiolipin-positive patients. In a multivariate proportional hazards analysis, IgG anticardiolipin antibodies were an independent risk factor for overall mortality (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.1, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2 to 4.0) and cardiovascular mortality (HR = 4.4, 95% CI: 1.6 to 12).

CONCLUSIONS

IgG anticardiolipin antibodies are common in patients with peripheral arterial disease and are associated with an increased risk of overall and cardiovascular mortality.

Effect of mitral valve surgery on exercise capacity, ventricular ejection fraction and neurohormonal activation in patients with severe mitral regurgitation

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to prospectively investigate the effects of surgical correction of mitral regurgitation (MR) on exercise performance, cardiac function and neurohormonal activation.

BACKGROUND

Little is known about the effect of surgical correction of MR on functional status or on neurohormonal activation.

METHODS

Cardiopulmonary exercise test, radionuclide angiography and blood samples for assessment of neurohormonal status were obtained in 40 patients with nonischemic MR before and within one year (216+/-80 days) after surgery. Twenty-four patients underwent mitral valve repair (MVr), and 16 underwent valve replacement (VR) with anterior chordal transection.

RESULTS

Despite an improvement in New York Heart Association functional class, exercise performance did not change (peak oxygen consumption: 19.3+/-6.1 to 18.5+/-5.6 ml/kg/min, percentage of maximal predicted oxygen consumption: 79.5+/-18.2% to 76.8+/-16.9%). After surgery, left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) decreased (64.2+/-10.3% to 59.9+/-11.4%, p = 0.003) while right ventricular (RV) EF increased (41.4+/-9.6% to 44.7+/-9.5%, p = 0.03). Left ventricular EF did not change after MVr (64.3+/-11.5% to 61.5+/-12.2%), but RVEF improved (40.4+/-9.2% to 46.0+/-10.0%, p = 0.02). In contrast, VR was associated with an impairment of LV function in the apicolateral area and a decrease in LVEF (64.1+/-8.5% to 57.4+/-10.0%, p = 0.01), whereas RVEF did not change (42.9+/-10.3% to 42.8+/-8.6%). Moreover, there was only a slight decrease in neurohormonal activation after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite an improvement in symptomatic status, exercise performance was not improved seven months after either MVr or VR for MR, and neurohormonal activation persisted. Compared with MVr, VR resulted in a significant impairment of cardiac function in this study.

Genotype-phenotype analysis in four families with mutations in beta-myosin heavy chain gene responsible for familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a genetically heterogeneous disease in which one of the most frequently implicated gene is the gene encoding the beta-myosin heavy chain. To date, more than 40 distinct mutations have been found within this gene. In order to progress on the determination of genotype-phenotype relationship, we have screened the beta-myosin heavy chain gene for mutations in 18 probands from unrelated families. We identified the mutation implicated in the disease in four families. Two of them, the Glu930 codon deletion and the Ile263Thr mutation, are reported here for the first time. The two other mutations are the Arg723Cys mutation, that was previously described in a proband as a de novo mutation, and the Arg719Trp mutation. A poor prognosis was associated with the Glu930codon deletion (mean maximal wall thickness (MWT) = 19.5 mm +/- 5) and the Arg719Trp mutation (mean MWT = 15.3 mm +/- 7), whereas a good prognosis was associated with the Arg723Cys mutation (mean MWT = 20.1 mm +/- 7). The combination of clinical and genetic characteristics of each family member suggests that prognosis is related neither to the degree of left ventricular wall thickness nor to a change in the net electrical charge of the protein. Additional family studies are needed to confirm these findings and to contribute to stratify the prognosis according to the mutation involved.

[Aspirin, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and cardiac insufficiency]

The possible negative therapeutic interaction between aspirin and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors arose from the conclusions of several experimental studies and retrospective analysis of large scale mortality trials with converting enzyme inhibitors. Some experimental results show inhibition of the vasodilatation of converting enzyme inhibitors, increase in pulmonary pressures, vascular resistances and blood pressure, and degradation of renal function and exercise capacity. However, other studies did not confirm these results. In large scale therapeutic trials, some retrospective analyses, but not all of them, have shown less benefit on morbi-mortality of converting enzyme inhibitors in patients on aspirin. The differences between the doses of aspirin, the type and dosage of the converting enzyme inhibitors and neuro-hormonal activation of the patients could explain the discordant results. The results of randomised trials are awaited but, in the meantime, it is logical to propose small doses of aspirin (< or = 100 mg/day) for patients with cardiac failure and atherosclerosis and to avoid the association in all the other patients.

Lack of association between polymorphisms of eight candidate genes and idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy: the CARDIGENE study

OBJECTIVES

The study investigated the potential role of eight candidate genes in the susceptibility to idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC).

BACKGROUND

Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy has a familial origin in 20% to 25% of cases, and several genetic loci have been identified in rare monogenic forms of the disease. These findings led to the hypothesis that genetic factors might also be involved in sporadic forms of the disease. In complex diseases that do not exhibit a clear pattern of familial aggregation, the candidate gene approach is a strategy widely used to identify susceptibility genes. All genes coding for proteins involved in biochemical or physiological abnormalities of cardiac function are potential candidates for IDC.

METHODS

We studied 433 patients with IDC and 401 gender- and age-matched controls. Polymorphisms investigated were the I/D polymorphism of the angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) gene, the T174M and M235T polymorphisms of the angiotensinogen (AGT) gene, the A-153G and A+39C polymorphisms of the angiotensin-II type 1 receptor (AGTR1) gene, the T-344C polymorphism of the aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) gene, the G-308A polymorphism of the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) gene, the R25P polymorphism of the transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFB1) gene, the G+11/in23T polymorphism of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS3) gene and the C-1563T polymorphism of the brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) gene.

RESULTS

None of the polymorphisms were significantly associated with the risk or the severity of the disease.

CONCLUSIONS

We did not find evidence for an involvement of any of the 10 investigated polymorphisms in the susceptibility to IDC.

Identification of a genetic risk factor for idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. Involvement of a polymorphism in the endothelin receptor type A gene. CARDIGENE group

BACKGROUND

Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy is a frequent cause of heart failure, a major concern of public health. Although idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy may be familial, most cases are sporadic and the disease is considered to be multifactorial, for which genetic factors may account for a significant part.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We hypothesized that genetic abnormalities of the endothelin pathway may be involved in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy pathophysiology and therefore examined the possible association between idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and polymorphisms in genes encoding endothelin 1, endothelin type A and type B receptors, in a case-control study (433 patients and 400 age- and sex-matched control subjects). Analysis of the Exon 8 C/T polymorphism in the endothelin receptor type A gene indicated that individuals who are homozygote for the T allele were at significantly increased risk for the disease (odds ratio: 1.9; 95% confidence interval: 1.2 to 3. 01;P<0.006). Analysis of the other polymorphisms indicated that no significant difference was observed in genotype or allele frequencies between cases and controls.

CONCLUSIONS

The variant in the Exon 8 of the endothelin receptor type A gene appears as a genetic risk factor for idiopathic forms of heart failure. These results provide a new approach to the pathophysiology of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Pericardoscopy for primary management of pericardial effusion in cancer patients

OBJECTIVE

To assess the usefulness of pericardoscopy via the subxyphoid route for the diagnosis and treatment of pericardial effusion in patients with a history of cancer.

METHODS

All patients with a recent or remote history of cancer and a pericardial effusion of unknown origin requiring drainage for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes were included in the study. They underwent complete exploration and cleansing of the pericardial cavity. Abnormal structures or deposits were biopsied under direct visual control, with a 24 cm long rigid pericardoscope.

RESULTS

Between 1985 and 1998, pericardoscopy was completed in 112 of the 114 patients included (feasibility 98%), resulting in the immediate relief of symptoms in all the cases. Peri-operative mortality was 3.5%, and post-operative morbidity, 6.1%. After pericardioscopy pericardial effusions were considered malignant in 43 cases. One more case (2.3%) due to a false negative result of pericardioscopy was diagnosed during follow-up. Overall, 44 of the 114 patients (38.6%) had a malignant effusion, and 70 (61.4%), a non-malignant effusion according the follow up. In 10 of the 44 patients with a malignant pericardial effusion (22.7%), pericardoscopy corrected the results of cytological pericardial fluid studies and pericardial window biopsy, both false negatives. The sensitivities of cytological studies of the pericardial fluid, pathological examinations of pericardial window biopsy and pericardioscopy were 75, 65 and 97%, respectively. One patient with a malignant effusion had a non-symptomatic recurrence 1 month after pericardioscopy (2.3%).

CONCLUSION

We recommend pericardioscopy to ascertain the malignant nature of the effusion and to diminish the recurrence rate, this avoiding repeat procedures in patients with a short life expectancy.

[Effect of resection of the anterior chordae on cardiac function after surgical correction of mitral valve insufficiency]

The preservation of cardiac function in surgical correction of mitral regurgitation implies partially or totally preserving the subvalvular apparatus. However, the conservation of the whole subvalvular apparatus during mitral valve replacement is technically difficult as the anatomical conditions are not always favourable. In order to determine the consequences of isolated resection of the anterior chordae, the authors studied global and segmental cardiac function by isotopic angiocardiography after mitral valve repair (n = 23) or replacement with conservation of the posterior chordae (n = 16) in 39 patients with isolated, non-ischaemic mitral regurgitation. The left ventricular ejection fraction decreased after valve replacement (64.1 +/- 8.5% to 57.4 +/- 10%, p = 0.01) but not after mitral valve repair (65 +/- 11.3% to 62.1 +/- 12.2%, p = NS). The ejection fractions of segments 4 and 5, corresponding to the zones of insertion of the anterior papillary muscle, decreased after valve replacement compared with repair (segment 4: -9 +/- 13.7 versus +2 +/- 11.3, p = 0.01) (segment 5: -15 +/- 13.2 versus 2 +/- 11.7, p = 0.003). The right ventricular ejection fraction improved after valve repair (40.9 +/- 9.1% to 46.4 +/- 10.1%, p = 0.03), whereas it remained unchanged after valve replacement (42.9 +/- 10.3% to 42.8 +/- 8.6%, p = NS). These results indicate a deleterious effect of isolated resection of the anterior chordae on cardiac function during mitral valve replacement with localised abnormalities of left ventricular function. This study supports the rationale of mitral valve repair or conservation of the anterior and posterior chordae during valve replacement for isolated mitral regurgitation.

[Diastolic cardiac failure: therapeutic modalities]

The management of cardiac failure due to diastolic dysfunction is not well codified and is often empirical. It has three objectives: improving the physiopathological components of ventricular filling, treating the associated aggravating pathological conditions, and treating the basic cause of the dysfunction. Symptomatic treatment aims to reduce venous congestion (by diuretics or nitrate derivatives), to prolong the diastolic period by slowing the heart rate (by betablockers, bradycardising calcium antagonists or digitalis in cases of irreducible atrial fibrillation), to improve passive ventricular distensibility by an effect on remodelling (by angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or anti-aldosterone diuretics). The treatment of associated pathological conditions is particularly important. It is essential to maintain or reestablish an effective atrial systole by cardioversion and anti-arrhythmic drugs in atrial fibrillation, by dual chamber pacing in cases of atrioventricular asynchrony due to atrioventricular block. Treatment of the underlying cause aims to induce regression of ventricular hypertrophy of hypertensive origin by using antihypertensive drugs with this property. In coronary artery disease, the choice is determined by the clinical context because nearly all anti-anginal or interventional treatments may improve ischaemic diastolic dysfunction. The same applies in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy because most types of treatment (betablockers, verapamil, cardiac pacing, surgery) may improve diastolic function. Finally, in valvular aortic stenosis, aortic valve replacement restores normal diastolic function.

Right ventricular ejection fraction is an independent predictor of survival in patients with moderate heart failure

OBJECTIVES

We sought to study the relationship between survival and right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) in a subgroup of patients with moderate congestive heart failure (CHF).

BACKGROUND

It has been demonstrated that RVEF is an independent predictor of survival in patients with advanced CHF.

METHODS

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing and radionuclide angiography (to determine right and left ventricular ejection fraction) were prospectively performed in 205 consecutive patients with moderate CHF (140 patients in New York Heart Association [NYHA] class II, 65 in class III).

RESULTS

Left ventricular ejection fraction was 29.3%+/-10.1%, RVEF was 37.5%+/-14.6% and peak oxygen consumption (VO2) was 16.2+/-5.4 ml/min/kg (60.2%+/-19% of maximal predicted VO2). After a median follow-up period of 755 days, there were 44 cardiac-related deaths, 3 deaths from noncardiac causes and 15 transplantations of whom 2 were urgent; 1 patient was lost to follow-up. Multivariate analysis showed that three variables-NYHA classification, percent of maximal predicted VO2 and RVEF-were independent predictors of both survival and event-free cardiac survival. Left ventricular ejection fraction and peak VO2 normalized to body weight had no predictive value. The event-free survival rates from cardiovascular mortality and urgent transplantation at 1 year were 80%, 90% and 95% in patients with an RVEF <25%, with a RVEF > or =25% and <35% and with a RVEF > or =35%, respectively. At 2 years, survival rates were 59%, 77% and 93% in the same subgroups, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In addition to the NYHA classification and to the percent of maximal predicted VO2, RVEF is an independent predictor of survival in patients with moderate CHF.

Plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide at peak exercise: a prognostic marker of cardiovascular-related death and heart transplantation in patients with moderate congestive heart failure

BACKGROUND

Conflicting data have been published concerning exercise performance and hormonal activation. Previous studies have demonstrated the prognostic information of plasma levels of neurohormones at rest in patients with congestive heart failure. No study has examined the prognostic information of plasma levels of hormones at peak exercise.

METHODS

Fifty-five consecutive ambulatory patients with stable moderate congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association class II to III) performed a maximal symptom limited cardiopulmonary exercise test with the determination of peak oxygen consumption. Blood samples were drawn at rest and at peak exercise for the determination of plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide, aldosterone, and plasma renin activity.

RESULTS

Hormonal activation was present at rest, and exercise significantly increased hormonal values. There was no correlation between exercise parameters and hormonal values either at rest or at peak exercise. After a median follow-up period of 724 days, in univariate and multivariate Cox analysis, the most significant independent prognostic marker was the plasma level of atrial natriuretic peptide at peak exercise. Patients with a plasma level of atrial natriuretic peptide > 38 pmol/L had an event rate of 48% compared with an event rate of 14.8% in the other subgroup (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with stable moderate congestive heart failure, exercise increased hormonal values, but there was no relationship between hormonal activation and exercise performance. Plasma level of atrial natriuretic peptide at peak exercise was the most significant independent marker of cardiovascular-related death and of cardiovascular-related death and heart transplantation.

Diagnostic value of electrocardiography and echocardiography for familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a genotyped adult population

BACKGROUND

The diagnostic value of ECG and echocardiography for familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (FHC) has not been reassessed since the development of molecular genetics. The aim of the study was to evaluate it in adults, with the genetic status used as the criterion of reference.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Ten families with previously identified mutations were studied (9 mutations in 3 genes). ECG and echocardiography were analyzed in 155 adults, of whom 77 were genetically affected and 78 unaffected. The major diagnostic criteria were, for echocardiography, a left ventricular wall thickness > 13 mm and, for ECG, abnormal Q waves, left ventricular hypertrophy, and marked ST-T changes. Minor ECG and echographic abnormalities were also analyzed. (1) Sensitivity and specificity of major criteria were 61% and 97% for ECG and 62% and 100% for echocardiography. (2) Sensitivity but not specificity was age related (from 50% at < 30 years to 94% at > 50 years old, P < .01) and sex related (83% in men versus 57% in women, P = .01). (3) Sensitivity was improved by the addition of minor criteria and by the association of ECG and echocardiography. The negative predictive value was therefore very good (95%) at > 30 years of age. (4) Healthy carriers without any ECG or echocardiographic abnormality represented 17% of genetically affected adults.

CONCLUSIONS

ECG and echocardiography have similar diagnostic values for FHC in adults, with an excellent specificity and a lower sensitivity. The association of the two techniques allows a better evaluation of the risk of being genetically affected in families with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Incidence and prognosis of embolic events and metastatic infections in infective endocarditis

AIMS

In infective endocarditis, the true incidence of embolic events and metastatic infections remains unknown probably because a large number of events are asymptomatic. The consequences of the prognosis of such events have never been evaluated by a prospective follow-up. This study aimed to assess the incidence of symptomatic or asymptomatic embolic events and metastatic infections in definite infective endocarditis and to determine whether these events carry a risk of mortality.

METHODS AND RESULTS

From January 1991 to December 1993, 102 patients with suspected or known infective endocarditis were referred to our institution. Among them, we selected 68 patients (50 males, 18 females, mean age = 52.7 years) exhibiting definite infective endocarditis according to the Duke University criteria. Blood cultures were positive in 49 cases (72%). Echocardiography revealed valvular vegetations in 55 cases (81%). Irrespective of the clinical presentation, patients were examined radiologically by cerebral computed tomography scanning (n = 60), magnetic resonance imaging (n = 3), abdominal computed tomography scanning (n = 32) or abdominal echocardiography (n = 20). Depending on the symptoms, thoracic computed tomography scanning (n = 22), pulmonary angiography (n = 2), ventilation-perfusion scintigraphy (n = 4), or gallium citrate radionuclide scanning (n = 7) were also performed. All patients were prospectively followed-up for a mean period of 21.4 +/- 17.5 months. In 35 patients (51%), 51 embolic or metastatic events were revealed, involving the central nervous system (n = 23), spleen (n = 7), kidney (n = 5), lung (n = 5), liver (n = 4), bone and joint (n = 4), iliac (n = 2) or mesenteric (n = 1) arteries. During the hospital stay, the mortality rate was higher in patients exhibiting embolic or metastatic events (20 vs 12%), but the difference did not reach statistical significance. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated no difference in long-term follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that embolic or metastatic events had a high incidence (51%) during infective endocarditis, but were not associated with significant attributable mortality.

Codon 102 of the cardiac troponin T gene is a putative hot spot for mutations in familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND

Familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a phenotypically and genetically heterogeneous disease. In some families, the disease is linked to the CMH2 locus on chromosome 1q3, in which the cardiac troponin T gene (TNNT2) has been identified as the disease gene. The mutations found in this gene appear to be associated with incomplete penetrance and poor prognosis. Because mutational hot spots offer unique possibilities for analysis of genotype-phenotype correlations, new missense mutations that could define such hot spots in TNNT2 were looked for in unrelated French families with familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Family members were genotyped with microsatellite markers to detect linkage to the four known disease loci. In family 715, analyses showed linkage to CMH2 only. To accurately position potential mutations on TNNT2, its partial genomic organization was established. Screening for mutations was performed by single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis and sequencing. A new missense mutation, Arg102Leu, was identified in affected members of family 715 because of a G-->T transversion located in the 10th exon of the gene. Penetrance of this new mutation is complete; echocardiographic data show a wide range of hypertrophy; and there was no sudden cardiac death in this family.

CONCLUSIONS

The codon 102 of the TNNT2 gene is a putative mutational hot spot in familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and is associated with phenotypic variability. Analysis of more pedigrees carrying mutations in this codon is necessary to better characterize the clinical and prognostic implications of TNNT2 mutations.

Pericardioscopy in the etiologic diagnosis of pericardial effusion in 141 consecutive patients

BACKGROUND

Although previous small series have documented the utility of pericardioscopy for accurate etiologic diagnosis of pericardial effusion, this technique remains underused. The aim of our study was to assess the benefits and risks of surgical pericardioscopy in a large prospective series.

METHODS AND RESULTS

One hundred forty-one consecutive patients with unexplained pericardial effusion underwent 142 pericardioscopies with a rigid mediastinoscope. For each patient, the etiologic data obtained by pericardioscopy (visualization of pericardium, guided biopsies, subxiphoid window biopsy, and fluid analysis) were compared with the results that would have been obtained with only conventional surgical drainage and biopsy (subxiphoid window biopsy and fluid analysis). After complete workup, a specific cause was found in 69 cases (48.6%); the other 73 cases were considered idiopathic effusions (51.4%). Procedural and in-hospital mortality was 8 of 141 patients (5.6%). No death was directly attributable to pericardioscopy. During long-term follow-up (median duration, 24 months; range, 6 to 96), a previously unrecognized cause was discovered in 6 patients (4%). By comparing the areas under the receiver-operating characteristic curves, the diagnostic advantage of pericardioscopy was significant for the whole series (pericardioscopy, 0.98 +/- 0.011; conventional surgical drainage, 0.89 +/- 0.029; P < .001). The increase in sensitivity was more marked for some types such as neoplastic (21%), radiation-induced (100%), or purulent (83%) effusions.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data demonstrate that pericardioscopy increases the diagnostic sensitivity of surgical pericardial drainage and biopsy without specific risk.

Prevalence and clinical significance of antiphospholipid antibodies in heart valve disease: a case-control study

The purposes of this study were (1) to assess the prevalence of antiphospholipid (aPL) antibodies in patients with non-specific heart valve disease referred for valve replacement and (2) to determine whether the presence of aPL antibodies carries a risk for thrombotic events during a postoperative follow-up in a prospective cohort. The sera of 89 consecutive patients and 80 matched control subjects were tested for antibodies to cardiolipin (immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin M) and for lupus anticoagulant. The prevalence of aPL antibodies was significantly higher in patients (19 [21%] of 89) than in control subjects (7 [9%] of 80) (p < 0.05). Patients were divided into two subgroups according to the presence (subgroup A) or the absence (subgroup B) of aPL antibodies. No significant difference in age or sex ratio was observed between the two subgroups. A history of arterial thrombosis was more frequent in subgroup A (8 [42%] of 19) than in subgroup B (8 [11%] of 70) (p < 0.01). No significant difference with respect to the occurrence of thrombotic events was observed during a median follow-up period of 8.7 months. Thus a high prevalence of aPL antibodies was found in patients referred for heart valve replacement compared with matched control subjects. No increased risk has been demonstrated in the patients with aPL antibodies.

[Acute myocarditis caused by toxoplasmosis simulating infarction. Apropos of a case]

Acute myocarditis due to toxoplasmosis infection has been previously reported, usually in patients suffering from immuno-depression. Cardiac involvement by toxoplasmosis is rare in subjects with a normal immunological status. The authors report the case of a 16-year-old patient without immuno-depression with acute myocarditis caused by toxoplasmosis simulating myocardial infarction.

Kinetics of oxygen consumption during and after exercise in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. New markers of exercise intolerance with clinical implications

OBJECTIVES

This study analyzed the kinetics of oxygen consumption during and after a maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. The prognostic information derived from indexes of recovery was also studied.

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have examined the kinetics of oxygen consumption during a short recovery period in a limited number of patients. To our knowledge, no study has examined the prognostic information derived from indexes of recovery.

METHODS

We studied 153 patients and 55 control subjects. We calculated the ratio between total oxygen consumption during exercise and recovery, the half-recovery time of peak oxygen consumption, the time constant of recovery, the recovery time and the ratio between duration of exercise and recovery time.

RESULTS

Recovery of oxygen consumption was significantly delayed in patients, and this delay was related to the degree of exercise intolerance. After a median follow-up period of 439 days, for the total study group, percent of predicted peak oxygen consumption (p = 0.003) and ejection fraction (p = 0.03) were independent predictors of survival. In a subgroup of patients with moderate exercise intolerance (percent peak oxygen consumption > 40%), the ratio between total oxygen consumption during exercise and recovery (p = 0.013) and the ejection fraction (p = 0.013) were independent predictors of survival.

CONCLUSIONS

The kinetics of oxygen consumption during recovery was delayed in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. Although indexes of recovery were not prognostic markers in the total study group, the ratio between total oxygen consumption during exercise and recovery was an independent prognostic marker in patients with moderate exercise intolerance.

[Value of spiral computed tomography with three-dimensional reconstruction in the investigation of renal arteries. An initial clinical experience apropos of 16 cases]

Renovascular hypertension represents 1 to 2% of all causes of hypertension. It is important to make the diagnosis as radical treatment may be proposed. Digitised arteriography is the reference diagnostic method. Spiral angiotomography is a new diagnostic technique for the investigation of the aorta and its branches. The examination was performed with a Siemens Somatom Plus S spiral scanner. The images were acquired after intravenous injection of 140 ml of iodine contrast medium in the forearm. Three dimensional reconstruction of the renal arteries may be performed secondarily. The results of 16 examinations were compared with those of arteriography. Nine stenoses were suspected after spiral angiotomography and confirmed in 7 cases by arteriography (sensitivity 100%; specificity 77%); two adrenal abnormalities were also detected by spiral tomography. In this series, spiral angiotomography detected all cases of renal artery stenosis with good specificity. Moreover, this investigation also allowed evaluation of the adrenal glands. The simple, non-invasive and polyvalent nature of this method should, if the results are confirmed in a large series, lead to its use as the investigation of first intention for suspected secondary causes of hypertension.

Usefulness of diltiazem in the acute management of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias in the elderly

Acute management of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias is often difficult in elderly patients. Diltiazem was given intravenously (loading dose of 0.25 mg/kg over 2 minutes followed by a 4 mg/kg/24 hr infusion) in 37 elderly patients (mean age 70 years, range 60-91). Fifteen out of the 37 patients (41%) had left ventricular cardiac disease, 12 (32%) had cor pulmonale, and 10 (27%) had no obvious cardiac disease. Hemodynamic tolerance of the supraventricular tachyarrhythmia was poor in 12 patients. A good result was defined as a return to sinus rhythm after bolus or infusion, or as a slowing of the ventricular rate (VR) to less than 100 beats/min. Of the 23 patients in atrial fibrillation, about half reverted to sinus rhythm after diltiazem, and in most of the others the ventricular rate decreased to less than 100 beats/min. Side effects occurred in 10 patients (bradycardia in 6, cutaneous rash in 2, hypotension in 2). They rapidly reversed after cessation of diltiazem. They were responsible for 2 out of the 5 poor results. Thus, diltiazem appeared effective and safe when used carefully in elderly patients with supraventricular tachyarrhythmia.

[Sneddon syndrome and mitral valve disease]

The authors report the case of a 37-year-old woman with widespread livedo and transient cerebral ischaemia (Sneddon's syndrome). The patient had also mitral valve disease who required commissurotomy two years ago. The research of anticardiolipin antibodies was negative. The relations between Sneddon's syndrome, antiphospholipid antibodies and valve lesions are discussed.

[Aortitis in Horton disease. Review of the literature]

First described in 1937, giant cell aortitis (aortitis associated with giant cell arteritis) occurs in 20 to 40% of patients with giant cell arteritis and is often clinically silent. Temporal involvement usually precedes aortic involvement. The process may involve the entire aorta, but complications are usually related to thoracic involvement. Patients with giant cell aortitis may be asymptomatic, or present with aortic arch syndrome, dilation of the aorta, aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection, sudden rupture of the aorta, or aortic valve incompetence. Thoracic aneurysms are usually fusiform and can be complicated by dissection in up to 50% of patients. Aortic involvement may be the presenting feature of giant cell arteritis: it may also occur in patients with preexisting temporal arteritis, often when corticosteroid therapy is reduced or discontinued. Aortic rupture complicating aortitis may be the cause of death in 3-12% of patients with giant cell arteritis. Clinical follow-up with assessment of disease activity by chest X-ray and biological markers of inflammation should be performed yearly in giant cell arteritis. Aortic involvement should be suspected if cardiac or vascular echo-Doppler shows evidence of an aortic arch syndrome, aortic dilation, aneurysm, or of aortic valve incompetence. Corticosteroid therapy, beginning with a dose of 1 mg/kg/day remains the key point of therapy. The dose is subsequently adjusted based on the clinical course and the results of ancillary tests. This treatment might prevent fatal outcome with aortic rupture. Long-term follow-up of all patients with giant cell arteritis or polymyalgia rheumatica is essential, as complications may develop late in the course of the disease.

Plasma levels of endothelin-1 at rest and after exercise in patients with moderate congestive heart failure

Plasma levels of endothelin-1 are increased in patients with severe congestive heart failure related to various etiologies. However, conflicting data have been published in patients with moderate congestive heart failure. Moreover, the effect of exercise on plasma levels of endothelin-1 is not precisely known. We determined the plasma levels of endothelin-1 in a homogenous group of patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy in stage II of the New York Heart Association functional classification at rest and at peak exercise. In this group of patients, plasma levels of endothelin-1 were increased compared to a control group (2.9 +/- 0.27 vs. 1.96 +/- 0.24 pmol/l, P < 0.01, mean +/- S.E.M.), as were plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (26.3 +/- 6.3 vs. 2.95 +/- 0.7 pmol/l, P < 0.001), plasma renin activity (12.6 +/- 2.98 vs. 1.75 +/- 0.23 ng/ml per h, P < 0.001) and plasma levels of aldosterone (217 +/- 29.3 vs. 154 +/- 18.8 pg/ml, P < 0.05). In contrast to the other hormones, exercise did not increase plasma levels of endothelin-1. There was no correlation between plasma levels of endothelin-1 and plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide, and no correlation between left ventricular ejection fraction, peak oxygen consumption and hormonal values. In conclusion, plasma levels of endothelin-1 are increased in a homogeneous group of patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and moderate congestive heart failure. Endothelin-1 could participate in the progression of heart failure. Exercise did not increase the plasma levels of endothelin-1 in contrast to the other hormones.

[Continuous ambulatory measurement of left ventricular function by an isotopic method]

Ambulatory cardiac radionuclide monitoring is a relatively new technique of non-invasive assessment of left ventricular function. This technique, which uses a portable gamma-ray detector, enables continuous recording over a number of hours of global left ventricular ejection fraction after red cell labelling with technetium. The detector is placed in contact with the skin over the apical region in a 45 degrees left anterior oblique view. Adequate collimation enables the variations in left ventricular volume during the cardiac cycle to be quantified and the ejection fraction to be deduced without having to generate an image. The authors review this method and describe the different available systems. They may be classified in two groups as to whether the technique is limited to continuous bed-side monitoring or if used for ambulatory monitoring (the only commercially available model being the Vest). Validation studies and trials in normal subjects are envisaged. The information acquired by this new method is analysed in the different clinical fields: post-infarction, stable angina, asymptomatic coronary artery disease, hypertension. The role of this new technique in the investigation of coronary artery disease is discussed with respect to other non-invasive techniques. The limitations of the technique and the material are reviewed and possible future developments are described.

Doppler echocardiography in familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: the French Cooperative Study

Familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) has been poorly studied, although it may represent 50% of all HCM. We studied 346 subjects belonging to 20 unrelated families. Patients were considered affected in view of left ventricular (LV) wall thickness. One hundred twenty-seven adults were considered affected, id est. had a left ventricular wall thickness (LVWT) > 13 mm, whereas 123 had a LVWT > 15 mm, suggesting that the cut-off value is usually not critical. Within affected patients, 95% had an asymmetrical HCM (interventricular septum/left posterior wall thickness > 1.3 mm), whereas 84% had a ratio > 1.5. Distribution of the affected patients according with Maron's classification are in keeping with published studies about sporadic forms. Doppler derived isovolumetric relaxation time was prolonged in HCM (105 +/- 23 vs 88 +/- 16 msec, P < 0.001), and the ratio peak velocity of A wave over peak velocity of E wave was significantly lower in affected individuals (0.99 +/- 0.56 vs 0.83 +/- 0.46, P < 0.05). None of the 24 children studied (10 +/- 3 years) were considered affected according to echocardiographic criteria.

CONCLUSION

Echocardiography is the obligatory first step during genetic study for recognizing familial HCM. It allows classification in adults but not in children. Doppler estimate of diastolic function may be helpful in the future to recognize genetically affected subjects with normal or subnormal echocardiographic examination.

[Current respective role of surgery and permanent endocavitary stimulation in the treatment of hypertrophic cardiomyopathies]

Surgery and cardiac pacing are the two main non-drug treatments for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Various surgical techniques have been proposed over the last 35 years: myotomy, myotomy-septal myomectomy, isolated mitral valve replacement, heart transplantation. Patients eligible for surgery are those with severe symptoms (NYHA stage III or IV) and refractory or no longer responding to drug treatment. The choice between the various techniques is based on morphological and haemodynamic criteria (significant subaortic gradient associated with increased septal thickness, severe and/or organic mitral regurgitation, either isolated or associated with obstruction, or less severe or heterogeneous septal thickness [< 18 mm]) or therapeutic criteria (failure of primary myomectomy, depletion of all surgical possibilities). Analysis of the results of surgery is complicated by the variety of techniques performed and the experience of the various teams. The operative mortality was markedly decreased (between 2 and 11% at the present time); the complications of myomectomy (ventricular septal defect, disturbances of conduction requiring continuous pacing) are still frequent. Intraoperative transoesophageal ultrasonography could help to further decrease the operative risk. Surgery improves functional symptoms and exercise tolerance. This beneficial effect appears to be more marked, more frequent and more lasting than that of medical treatment. Surgical treatment does not ensure permanent cure, as the symptoms related to pathophysiological abnormalities other than intraventricular obstruction (abnormalities of diastolic filling, myocardial ischaemia, arrhythmias) may develop subsequently. No controlled trial has demonstrated a favourable effect on survival. Continuous pacing, introduced more recently, can now be considered to be a therapeutic method in its own right.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Cardiovascular manifestations caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Apropos of a case of recurrent pericarditis complicated by tamponade]

The authors report a case of recurrent pericarditis complicated by tamponade, a complication rarely reported in the literature, due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. The frequency and the characteristics of the pericarditis caused by this microorganism are reviewed and the diagnostic criteria and pathogenic mechanisms are discussed.

[Clinico-pathological polymorphism of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in echocardiography]

An echocardiographic Study of 322 adults (age: 40 +/- 16 years), belonging to 20 families with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), was undertaken. Affected subjects had a LV diastolic wall thickness > 13 mm. The patients were classified according to the distribution of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and by Maron's classification: 189 subjects were normal, 127 were affected and 6 could not been classified. By Maron's classification: 3% were type I, 33% were type II, 58% were type III and 6% were type IV. LVH was asymmetrical in 95% of cases (septum/posterior wall ratio > 1.3). The familial distribution of LVH of the 4 families in which HCM was genetically related to different loci (chromosome 11, 14 exon 13, 14 exon 8, fifth locus); the LVH was analysed from two short axis LV parasternal views and each plane was divided into 5 segments. The distribution of LVH was said to be identical between two first degree relations when all the same segments were affected, similar when they differed by only 1 or 2 segments and different when they differed by 3 or more segments. In the 26 pairs studied, LVH was identical in 2/26 (8%), similar in 11/26 (42%) and different in 13/26 (50%). Familial HCM usually gives rise to asymmetrical LVH affecting the septum and free wall. An identical distribution in 50% of affected first degree relatives.

[Surgical treatment of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy; techniques, indications and results]

Many techniques have been proposed for the treatment of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy over the last 35 years: myotomy, septal myotomy-myectomy, isolated mitral valve replacement with a low profile prosthesis, cardiac transplantation. Usually, the patients referred for surgery are those who do not respond or are resistant to medical therapy (patients in NYHA classes III or IV). The usual indication for myomectomy is a significant subaortic gradient and major septal hypertrophy (> 18 mm). When mitral regurgitation is severe or organic, mitral valve replacement is associated. When septal hypertrophy is moderate (< 18 mm) or not evenly distributed, or after ineffective myomectomy, mitral valve replacement may be proposed. Cardiac transplantation is only considered when all medical and surgical possibilities have been exhausted. Analysis of the results of surgery (over 1,000 published cases) is hindered by the variability of the techniques employed, the indications and experience of the different groups. The operative mortality has significantly decreased (25% in the 1960s to 2 to 11% at present). The complications of myomectomy are mainly postoperative ventricular septal defects and atrioventricular block, some of which require implantation of a pacemaker. Peroperative transoesophageal echocardiography could help to reduce the operative risk even further. Surgery improves symptoms and increases exercise capacity. The benefits seem greater, more frequent and longer lasting than with medical therapy. Surgery should not, however, be considered to be curative as some patients remain at risk of developing symptoms related to physiopathological phenomena other than intraventricular obstruction (poor left ventricular filling, myocardial ischaemia, arrhythmias). Although some workers suggest improved survival, there have been no controlled trials on this subject.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Outcome after thrombolytic therapy of nine cases of myopericarditis misdiagnosed as myocardial infarction

Anecdotal reports have suggested that cardiovascular complications may occur if thrombolytic therapy is performed in cases of pericarditis misdiagnosed as acute myocardial infarction. From 1980 to 1993, 47 cases of myopericarditis mimicking myocardial infarction have been admitted to our institution. The misdiagnosis was made because of clinical onset characterized by a typical chest pain, and/or localized ST segment elevation. Since 1987, nine (9/9 males, age 40 +/- 14 years) out of the 47 patients (19%) have been treated with a thrombolytic agent (streptokinase 4/9, rt-PA 5/9) followed by intravenous heparin. This treatment was started during the pre-hospital phase (2/9) and while in hospital (7/9). No pericardial rub was present; ST segment elevation was mainly localized in inferior and lateral leads; no Q wave developed; median creatine kinase rise was 268 units (range 38 to 1280), and only one patient had a small pericardial effusion. The mean level of fibrinogen after thrombolysis was 1.72 g.l-1 (range 0.10 to 4.50). In all cases, typical ECG changes were present suggesting pericarditis with a subsequent return to a normal ECG. No severe cardiac or pericardial complication or arrhythmia occurred; only one patient developed a non-compressive and resolvable pericardial effusion. Cardiac catheterizations (coronary and left ventricular angiographies) were normal when performed (5/9). Long-term follow-up (mean 46 +/- 29 months) was favourable without any coronary events. In conclusion, thrombolytic therapy was uncomplicated in our patients with myopericarditis simulating evolving myocardial infarction.

Comparative diagnostic value of ankle-to-brachial index and transcutaneous oxygen tension at rest and after exercise in patients with intermittent claudication

BACKGROUND

Few studies have compared sensitivities of ankle-to-brachial index (ABI) and transcutaneous oxygen tension (TcPO2) in a large group of patients with Leriche stage II intermittent claudication.

METHOD AND RESULTS

111 patients (138 limbs) with a stable chronic (> three months) intermittent claudication and significant peripheral vascular disease (PVD) proved by angiography were studied. They performed a treadmill test (10%, 3 km/hr) limited by limb pain. ABI and TcPO2 were measured before, just after exercise, and after three and ten minutes of recovery in supine position. Sensitivities per patient for ABI and TcPO2 were respectively at rest: 82.9% and 28.8%, and after exercise: 88.3% and 62.2%. Sensitivities per leg (n = 138) for ABI and TcPO2 were respectively at rest: 73.9% and 26.8%, and after exercise: 82.6% and 34%. The sensitivity of TcPO2 increased to 56.5% after three minutes of recovery but was always less than that of ABI, which was maximal just after exercise (82.6%). The sensitivity of the regional perfusion index was similar to that of TcPO2. The sensitivity of TcPO2 increased with respect to the Leriche stage and the number of lesions but was always lower than that of ABI. There was a weak correlation between TcPO2 and ABI after exercise, but no correlation was noted between maximal walking distance, ABI, and TcPO2.

CONCLUSION

TcPO2 is not required in patients with Leriche stage II intermittent claudication but might be useful either in severely affected patients (Leriche stage III or IV) or in selected patients.

RF-transmitted CsI radio-isotopic ambulatory recorder for left ventricular ejection fraction monitoring

We have developed a CsI multidetector probe in order to produce a nuclear ambulatory recorder to study simultaneously cardiac electric activity and the left ventricular ejection fraction. To make the device lighter, the electronics were designed with surface-mounted technology, and a serial data RF transmission system was used. The data are processed on a real-time basis using a portable microcomputer. Unlike other commercially available devices, this monitor avoids the problems of volume, weight, recording time capacity and slow off-line data processing. Our device permits global and regional analysis of the ejection fraction for a moderate manufacturing cost. It is intended primarily for ambulatory use and can easily be adapted to perform a monitoring function. The first tests on patients conducted using the prototype demonstrate the technical reliability and satisfactory operation of the device.

Pregnancy and prosthetic heart valves: a French cooperative retrospective study of 155 cases

A French cooperative retrospective study analysed 155 pregnancies in 103 women with prosthetic heart valves: 95 mechanical prosthesis (MP) and 60 bioprostheses (BP). Among them 13 MP and 10 BP were bivalvular and four were mixed implants. In all, 182 (108 MP and 74 BP) prostheses were exposed to the risk of pregnancy. Among the 108 MP-bearing patients, 16 thromboembolic accidents (TEA) were recorded: 10 thromboses in 13 mitral, two aortic and one pulmonary MP. TEA were four times more frequent under oral anticoagulant therapy. Among the 74 BP, seven suffered premature valve failure. Ninety-nine infants were born to 50 MP-bearing women (53%) and 48 BP-bearing patients (80%) (P < 0.001). Twenty miscarriages were reported; they occurred more often under anticoagulant treatment (17%) than without it (4%) P < 0.02). Coumarin-induced embryopathies were rare (only one definitively identified). Because pregnancy with an MP under anticoagulant therapy is dangerous for the mother and may effect the fetus, the therapeutic indications for women of child-bearing age must be taken into consideration. In a women already with an MP at the time of conception, the duration of heparin therapy should be limited to the following two periods: from the 6th to the 12th week (coumarin-induced embryopathies) and during the last 2 weeks of gestation (haemorrhages during delivery and the neonatal period).

Long-term follow-up after peripheral and coronary angioplasty in patients undergoing both types of procedure

Restenosis rates after peripheral and coronary angioplasties have been assessed only in patients who had either peripheral angioplasty or coronary angioplasty but never in patients who had both types. Among the 6364 angioplasties performed in the authors' institution since 1980, they studied 38 patients (36 men, 2 women, mean age fifty-five years, range thirty-four to seventy-seven) who had both peripheral and coronary angioplasty. The peripheral angioplasties were most often performed on iliac artery stenoses. They were performed before coronary angioplasty in 22 patients (58%) and after coronary angioplasty in 16 patients (42%). The follow-up after peripheral angioplasty was based on clinical data; ultrasound investigation was performed when the result of the clinical follow-up was poor (maximal walking distance lower than 500 meters). Follow-up after coronary angioplasty was assessed by a systematic coronary angiography at six months and with long-term clinical follow-up. The mean durations of the follow-up after peripheral or coronary angioplasty were not significantly different (respectively fifty-six +/- eleven and forty-two +/- nine months [mean +/- 2 SEM]). No patient was lost to clinical follow-up; 17 (45%) ultrasound investigations, 12 (32%) peripheral angiographies, and 34 (89%) coronary angiographies were performed. The restenosis rate after peripheral angioplasty was 18% and that after coronary angioplasty was 34%. These rates are similar to the classic rates observed in the literature. In conclusion, as reported for either procedure alone, the restenosis rates after peripheral angioplasty and after coronary angioplasty are different when assessed in patients who undergo both types of angioplasty.

Response of atrial natriuretic factor to surgical pericardial drainage in patients with chronic pericardial effusion

Previous studies have demonstrated the importance of atrial transmural pressure in the secretion of atrial natriuretic peptide. These studies have been performed in patients with pericardial effusion and hemodynamic compromise. The response of atrial natriuretic peptide to the drainage of chronic pericardial effusion without clinical evidence of tamponade is unknown. We studied 13 patients with chronic abundant pericardial effusion but without hemodynamic compromise. Blood samples for hormonal determinations were drawn before and after surgical pericardiocentesis. Right atrial pressure was measured during the procedure. Drainage induced a significant increase of atrial natriuretic peptide (from 12 +/- 3.9 to 105 +/- 22.8 pmol/l, P < 0.001, mean +/- S.E.M.), correlated with the fall in right atrial pressure (from 7.65 +/- 1.18 to 4.31 +/- 1.46 mmHg, P < 0.05, r = 0.68, P = 0.01). This increase was inversely correlated with the rise of mean blood pressure after surgery (from 84 +/- 2.37 to 100 +/- 5.3 mmHg, P < 0.05, r = 0.65, P < 0.02). Plasma renin activity decreased after drainage (from 8.12 +/- 2.57 to 3.27 +/- 0.65 ng/ml/h, P < 0.05). Surgery induced an increase of plasma levels of aldosterone (from 811 +/- 241 to 1199 +/- 249 pmol/l, P < 0.05), which were reduced after pericardiocentesis (371 +/- 102 pmol/l, P < 0.02). In patients with chronic abundant pericardial effusion, surgical pericardiocentesis induced a significant increase of atrial natriuretic peptide, correlated with a fall in right atrial pressure. The increase of atrial natriuretic peptide was similar than in patients with tamponade, despite a moderate fall in right atrial pressure.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A miniature cesium iodide-photodiode detector for ambulatory monitoring of left ventricular function

The physical characteristics of a portable nonimaging scintillation probe system for continuous ambulatory monitoring of the left ventricular function are described. The detector of the equilibrium radionuclide labeled blood pool is a single cesium iodide (CsI) crystal coupled to a silicium photodiode and interfaced to a microcomputer. The spatial properties of this small CsI crystal (1 x 1 x 1 cm3) were evaluated with various single-hole collimators. Linearity was studied in nonattenuating medium. Saturation began at 3000 cps, count loss was 10% at 4000 cps, maximal count rate was 24,000 cps. In attenuating medium, isocount curve of 5% of the maximal count rate was 100 mm deep and 160 mm wide. The most appropriate tested lead collimator to record the global ejection fraction of the left ventricle was a disc-shaped (thickness 5 mm, diameter 41 mm) single-hole (proximal aperture 8 mm, distal aperture 18 mm) collimator. Sensitivity was similar to the sensitivity of a sodium iodide nuclear probe. The detection performance appeared comparable to other available detector systems. Our results indicate that such a CsI-photodiode probe is a promising candidate for left ventricular function monitoring. The application to an ambulatory multicrystal detector system is presented and discussed.

[Pregnancy in patients with heart valve prosthesis. A French retrospective cooperative study (155 cases)]

A French cooperative study of 155 pregnancies in 103 women with valvular prosthesis (95 mechanical, 60 bioprostheses including 27 bivalvular prostheses) is reported. Therefore, a total of 182 prostheses (108 mechanical and 74 bioprostheses) were exposed to the risk of pregnancy. The maternal outcome in the group of 108 mechanical prostheses was complicated by 16 thromboembolic events (TE) including 10 prosthetic valve thromboses which required emergency valve replacement in 4 cases, 6 systemic TE in 13 mitral, 2 aortic and 1 pulmonary mechanical prostheses. The TE were four times more frequent in patients on heparin than in those on oral anticoagulants. There were 4 deaths, 3 among the 10 prosthetic valve thromboses (one reoperation, two sudden deaths). Seven of the 74 bioprostheses were reoperated for degeneration on average 5.9 years after the initial operation but there were no deaths or TE. The outcome of pregnancy was 99 children (63%), 49 of which were born to mothers with mechanical prostheses (53%) and 50 to mothers with bioprostheses (80%) (p < 0.001). Seven of the children were born prematurely, all mothers being on anticoagulant therapy. The birth weight was over 400 grams heavier (3 kg versus 2.6 kg) in the bioprosthesis group (p < 0.05). The 20 spontaneous abortions (13%) were more common in patients on anticoagulants (17%) than in those without (2%) (p < 0.02). Congenital defects due to oral anticoagulants were rare (one certain case). There was one case of phocomelia, an abnormality which has never been described in this context. The 36 remaining pregnancies were still deaths (N = 5), abortion due to maternal death (N = 4), maternal complications (N = 8), therapeutic (N = 9) or voluntary abortions (N = 10) (28 mechanical and 8 bioprostheses).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Inappropriate ADH secretion syndrome and hypereosinophilia in Horton disease with stenosis of the subclavian arteries]

The authors describe a case of giant cell arteritis with subclavian involvement in association with a syndrome of inappropriate anti-diuretic hormone secretion and hypereosinophilia. Subclavian involvement, which may be the first symptom, occurs in five to twenty percent of giant cell arteritis. Hypereosinophilia, a frequent manifestation of specific granulomatosis vasculitis, is rarely described in association with giant cell arteritis. Dysfunction of the hypothalamo-pituitary axis such as inappropriate anti-diuretic hormone secretion or diabetes insipidus has been recently reported in giant cell arteritis. The syndrome of inappropriate anti-diuretic hormone secretion may either reveal the disease or occur during the evolution, in particular with gradual reduction of steroid treatment. It may be isolated, without clinical feature of arteritis and without an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate. This inappropriate anti-diuretic hormone secretion, probably due to ischemic involvement of the pituitary or hypothalamic region, always improves quickly after institution of steroid therapy.

[Coronary-left ventricular fistula in post-infarction of the myocardium. Apropos of a new case. Review of the literature]

The authors report a new case of acquired corono-left ventricular fistula found in a 46-year-old man four months after a first myocardial infarction treated by fibrinolysis then conventional angioplasty. This is one of the rare cases of post-infarction corono-ventricular fistula, only five of which have been reported in the literature. While their described features seem relatively constant, enabling their distinction from post-angioplasty corono-ventricular fistulas (also rarely described: four cases), certain doubts persist as to their treatment, and above all their mechanism. Monitoring for four years by coronary angiography, which is the special feature of the case reported here, leads us to include this entity within the wider context of post-infarction ventricular remodelling, of which it would then be a very rare complication.