[The natural history of coronary disease. The role of cholesterol]

The natural history of the complications of coronary heart disease has been defined by anatomicopathological and epidemiological studies, particularly the Framingham study. At the same time, research is being carried out on risk factors which play a role in the progressive development of atheromatous plaque (atherogenic factors: hypertension: hypercholesterolaemia) and those factors which lead to complications in the atheromatous plaque (aggravating or precipitating factors: smoking, thrombosis, etc.). This schematic perspective may lead to the redefinition of the strategy to adopt in fighting atherosclerotic arterial disease; a better aim will thus the taken in the fight against hypercholesterolaemia.

[An attempt to quantify myocardial ischemia by selective coronary arteriography: determination of a new score. An initial study]

An original model for estimating myocardial ischaemia from coronary arteriography is proposed. Four parameters are taken into consideration: anatomical variations, the myocardial mass perfused, the degree of reduction of basal flow across the stenosis, the eventual summation of several successive stenotic lesions. This scoring system was tested by simulation on a computer and evaluated in 100 anginal patients. Analysis of our preliminary results shows statistically significant differences in the score between the following groups of patients: patients with normal and those with abnormal LV wall motion; patients with and those without previous myocardial infarction; patients with Class II stable angina and those with other forms (III, IV and unstable angina).

[Prognosis of chronic non-dystrophic and surgically treated aortic insufficiency]

Between January 1972 and March 1983, 123 patients with isolated non dystrophic aortic insufficiency underwent aortic valve replacement. During a mean follow-up period of 4.3 years per patient, 25.6 p. 100 of the patients died, including a 4.1 p. 100 hospital death rate. The actuarial survival rate was 74 p. 100 at 5 years and 62 p. 100 at 10 years. The main causes of mortality were heart failure, dysrhythmias and sudden death. A study of prognostic factors based on the preoperative data showed that clinical, radiological, electrocardiographic and haemodynamic signs were informative. In agreement with other authors, we found that preoperative cardiac dilatation and left ventricular dysfunction were predictive of a poor prognosis.

[Aortic insufficiency caused by dystrophic aneurysm of the ascending aorta: study of development in 95 cases. Value of cutaneous biopsy in the etiologic diagnosis]

We present 95 cases of aortic valve incompetence (AI) due to a dystrophic aneurysm of the ascending aorta; the aneurysm was idiopathic in 83 cases and associated with Marfan's syndrome in 12 cases. The diagnosis was confirmed by histological examination of the aorta and aortography. Functional signs were not always present, since 42 p. 100 of patients were in NYHA classes I and II and 58 p. 100 in classes III and IV. The prevalence of angina was 26 p. 100. The cardiothoracic ratio was increased up to 0.62 +/- 0.07, and projection to the right was noted in 63 p. 100 of the cases. Sokolow's index was 5 mv or more in 24 p. 100 of the patients. The aortic root, measured in 42 patients, was dilated up to 54 +/- 13 mm. The end-diastolic left ventricular diameter was increased to 70 +/- 10 mm. Haemodynamic studies yielded the following results: cardiac index 2.33 +/- 0.6 1/min/m2, end-diastolic left ventricular pressure 24.7 +/- 12 mmHg, mean pulmonary wedge pressure 12 +/- 6 mmHg, left ventricular end-diastolic volume 199 +/- 67 ml/m2, and angiographic ejection fraction 53 +/- 12 p. 100. The angiographic volume of aortic regurgitation, graded according to Sellers' classification, was 3/4 or 4/4 in 89 patients; the maximum diameter of the dilated ascending aorta was 73 +/- 18 mm. Evolutive data confirmed that aortic incompetence due to dystrophy is more severe than that due to other causes: 36 months after surgery, the overall mortality rate was 30%. Only two factors in our series seemed to be predictive of a poor prognosis: the fact that the patient belonged to NYHA class III or IV, and a mean pulmonary wedge pressure above 10 mmHg. This, however, must be taken with caution in view of the small population samples studied. The value of skin biopsy was confirmed. This examination, performed in 27 patients, was compared with the pathological examination of the aorta. Skin biopsy is specific and provides a major argument in favour of dystrophic AI in patients under 40 years of age.

[Angiographic morphology of the coronary arteries after a recent myocardial infarction treated by intravenous thrombolysis]

Thirty patients (26 men, 4 women) aged from 32 to 73 years (mean 54 years) who developed anterior (14 cases) or posterior (16 cases) myocardial infarction received intravenous streptokinase in doses of 1,500,000 units 2 to 10 hours (mean 4 hours) after the onset of infarction. Coronary angiography, performed 18.6 days on average after thrombolysis, showed a distinct predominance of asymmetrical stenosis with irregular walls and a narrow neck (10 cases, 33 p. 100) or of complete occlusion (12 cases, 40 p. 100) in the artery responsible for the infarction. Complete occlusion probably was the ultimate stage of stenosis. In contrast, the various angiographic images observed in arteries unrelated to the infarction were evenly distributed. The radiological morphology of coronary arterial lesions after a recent infarction is suggestive of ruptured atheromatous plaque, sometimes complicated by thrombosis in situ. Identical images are seen in unstable angina. These findings indicate that one single therapeutic approach should be applied to the most severe types of coronary disease due to atherosclerosis.

Acute heart failure due to Q fever endocarditis

We report a case of Q fever endocarditis in a patient who presented with a slight pyrexia and acute cardiac failure due to aortic incompetence. The diagnosis was made by detecting high titres of serum IgG and IgA antibody against Coxiella burnetii phase I antigens and confirmed by demonstrating C. burnetii on the excised aortic valve using immunofluorescence and electron microscopy. Aortic valve replacement was followed by initially successful antibiotic treatment for 15 months. Reappearance of IgA anti-phase I antibodies 5 months later suggested continued presence of bacteria, although the patient's condition remained satisfactory. In endemic areas, such as rural southern France, Q fever endocarditis should be considered when there is evidence of acute heart valve damage but are few other features of infection.

[The tolerance phenomenon in the therapeutic management of angina pectoris]

Tachyphylaxis in the treatment of angina pectoris may be found in widely different situations, such as stable angina turned unstable owing to local coronary changes, interference with another pathology (intricate angina) or true "escape phenomenon". In clinical practice, angina from tachyphylaxis may be due to a variety of causes, including lack of compliance (often difficult to diagnose), untimely drug administrations, insufficient dosage or habituation. Habituation corresponds to adaptation of the cells to their chemical environment. In the case of angina, it is due to gradual depletion of sulfhydryl radicals in the vascular endothelial cells. This progressive insensitivity to nitrites accounts for some therapeutic failures. Molsidomine is thought to be of great interest in such cases.

Valvular aortic stenosis and coronary atherosclerosis: pathophysiology and clinical consequences

New methods of investigation (ECG, echocardiography, angiography, histology) allow a better understanding of the pathophysiology of valvular aortic stenosis (VAS) associated with coronary atherosclerosis. The progressive decrease in valvular aortic area modifies the coronary blood flow and leads to myocardial ventricular hypertrophy. These two mechanisms worsen left ventricular function. A significant atherosclerotic stenosis on a large coronary artery creates a considerable reduction of the available coronary blood flow. This reduction is permanent: present at rest, it is obviously increased during exercise. The study of the relationship between the severity of the VAS and the myocardial hypertrophy (MH) is of great interest. It seems that in VAS with coronary artery disease, different situations exist: (i) when the hypertrophy is severe (left ventricular mass greater than 180 g m-2), the angina pectoris is more attributable to the VAS than to the coronary lesions. Thus the removal of the aortic outflow obstruction is the most essential therapy; (ii) when the hypertrophy is less severe (left ventricular mass less than 180 g m-2), surgical treatment of the valvular lesion and myocardial revascularization are justified.

[Current perspectives in the treatment of infectious endocarditis of a natural heart valve]

In view of the severity of infective endocarditis, which is due to local and general infectious processes and the hemodynamic consequences of valvular destruction, a policy of earlier valve replacement has been adopted. Clinical, bacteriologic and pathologic data collected over two years suggest that early surgery can be recommended in the following cases: congestive heart failure, inadequate results of antimicrobial therapy, and multiple emboli. Further studies should validate this policy, but the necessity of general prophylaxis for infective endocarditis must always be borne in mind.

Angiographic morphology and intraluminal coronary artery thrombus in patients with angina pectoris: clinical correlations

A prospective study was conducted in 104 consecutive patients who underwent coronary angiography for the evaluation of angina pectoris. 50 patients experienced unstable symptoms, while the rest of them were stable. Coronary lesions reducing the luminal diameter by at least 50% were compared between both groups according to localization, grade, length, type and collateralization. Eccentric irregular lesions (EIL) appeared more frequently in the unstable group of patients (27% vs 3%, P less than 0.01), while the incidence of concentric lesions was higher in stable group (45% vs 26%, P less than 0.02). There was no significant difference in localization, grade, length, or collateralization. EIL were most frequently identified as spontaneous AP producing lesions (55%, P less than 0.001) in 29 patients in the unstable group. Spontaneous angina was associated in 86% with EIL, occlusions, or filling defects--all of these lesions might contain occlusive or nonocclusive thrombi. EIL with a narrow neck appeared on angiograms earlier than EIL with a wall irregularity. We conclude that EIL is a sensitive and very specific angiographic marker of unstable AP. The morphologic details of EIL may help one to choose appropriate therapy.

[Isolated aortic valve replacement in an advanced stage of cardiac failure. Results and prognostic study apropos of 71 cases]

Between January 1970 and December 1982, seventy-one patients in functional Stage IV of the NYHA classification underwent isolated aortic valve replacement for aortic incompetence (27 cases), aortic stenosis (18 cases) or mixed aortic valve disease (26 cases). Three haemodynamic criteria were chosen: left ventricular ejection fraction less than 40% (average 34 +/- 2%); arteriovenous difference greater than 6 volumes per 100 ml (average 6.7 +/- 0.2 vol.); left ventricular end diastolic pressure greater than 20 mmHg (average 26 +/- 1.3 mmHg). Analysis of the preoperative data defined the clinical profile of these patients: average cardiac index 2.2 +/- 0.07 l/min/m2; 75% had a cardiothoracic index greater than 0.50%; 61% had at least one conduction defect. The average Sokolow index was 50 +/- 2 mm. Twenty seven of the 71 patients died (36%); there were 7 early postoperative deaths (1st month) (10%), mainly due to ventricular arrhythmias (6 out of 7). There were 20 late deaths (31%) on average 52 +/- 8 months after surgery: 70% were of cardiac origin with a predominance of sudden deaths. There were no deaths in the group of patients operated after 1977, probably because of improved techniques of peroperative myocardial protection. The actuarial survival was 72% at 5 years and 63% at 10 years: long term survival was lower in aortic incompetence (25% at 10 years) compared with aortic stenosis (68%) and mixed aortic valve disease (78%). There was a significant relationship between long term survival and cardiothoracic ratio, ejection fraction, the duration of symptoms before surgery and the presence of atrioventricular or left bundle branch block.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Prophylaxis of infective endocarditis for dental procedures. Report of a working party of the European Society of Cardiology

Bacterial endocarditis still remains a serious disease with significant morbidity and mortality. In patients with known valve disease, most cases are caused by oral viridans streptococci. These organisms are present in vast numbers on the gum margins and in gum pockets. They cause transient bacteraemia during eating and tooth brushing. More substantial, but short-lived bacteraemia can occur during dental treatment such as extraction and scaling. Bacteria may then become attached to abnormal endocardium leading to the development of infective endocarditis. Prophylaxis of endocarditis during dental procedures in patients with known valve disease should thus be aimed at reducing the number of bacteria entering the blood stream and eliminating those that get there. This can be sought first by good oro-dental hygiene and secondly by the use of prophylactic antibiotics. In this paper, we set out simple guidelines for practitioners in those countries that do not already have recommendations of their own. They are based on guidelines already in use in the United Kingdom, France, Switzerland and the United States.

[Neurinoma of the posterior cerebral fossa and mitral valve prolapse. Possible association and study of possible peri-operative consequences on rhythm]

27 patients with an acoustic neurinoma were submitted to a complete cardiological survey oriented towards the detection of mitral valve prolapse (2D echo) and ECG signs of a particular risk of arrhythmia (standard ECG and continuous Holter monitoring). 9 of these 27 patients presented MVP, but none of them presented any serious ventricular arrhythmias. The corrected QT interval was significantly longer in patients without MVP. The frequency of the association of MVP and acoustic neurinoma can not be explained simply by the female predominance of the series and its should be interpreted with reservation in the absence of a control series. The absence of pre-operative arrhythmia does not exclude the potentiating role of MVP in the development of certain cases of unexplained post-operative death.

[Pure arrhythmic form of the pre-infarction syndrome or spasm responsible for myocardial necrosis]

A 74 years old man was admitted as an emergency for syncopal attacks due to recurrent ventricular fibrillation (VF). These attacks were observed at the height of myocardial ischaemia as shown by ST elevation in Leads II, III and RV without associated anginal pain. Inferior myocardial infarction occurred during recurrent VF on the 4th day; the outcome was favourable. Coronary angiography was performed on the 10th day and showed double vessel disease; ergometrine (0.2 mg) induced anginal pain and ST elevation in Leads II, III and AVF. A good clinical result was obtained by calcium antagonists with an 18 months follow-up. Coronary spasm, documented in this case by the ergometrine provocation test, is now recognised as a cause of resting angina, effort angina and also some cases of myocardial infarction. This report suggests that coronary spasm may also induce apparently isolated severe ventricular arrhythmias without associated chest pain, which raises the question as to whether arrhythmias induced by spasm could play a primary role in aggravating myocardial ischaemia, leading to myocardial infarction.

[Hemodynamic testing at rest and during exertion after mitral valve replacement with a St. Jude Medical prosthesis]

177 mitral valve replacements with the St Jude Medical prosthesis (SJM) were carried out from March 1979 to December 1983. 45 of these patients (22 men and 23 women) underwent right heart catheterisation 6 or 8 months after surgery. These patients were operated for pure mitral stenosis in 24 cases, mitral regurgitation in 10 cases and mixed mitral disease in 24 cases. There was associated aortic valve disease in 26 patients and valve replacement with a Björk prosthesis was carried out in 19 cases. Tricuspid valvuloplasty was performed in 6 patients. 37 patients were at Stage III or IV of the NYHA classification before surgery; one year later, only 1 patient remained at Stage III, 4 patients were at Stage II and 38 at Stage I. 2 patients died in the first postoperative year of extracardiac causes. Resting pulmonary capillary pressure (Pw) fell from 18 +/- 7 mmHg to 9 +/- 4 mmHg after surgery (p less than 0.001); cardiac index rose from 2.21 +/- 0.45 to 2.59 +/- 0.49 1/min/m2 (p less than 0.001). A capillary arteriolar obstruction observed in 16 patients before surgery was only found in 9 of these patients after surgery. The changes in pulmonary pressures and cardiac output during exercise were studied in 22 patients. Pw rose from 7.6 +/- 1.5 mmHg to 20 +/- 4 mmHg; cardiac index increased from 2.62 +/- 0.19 to 5.46 +/- 0.72 1/min/m2. When compared with theoretical results in a normal subject, pulmonary artery pressures were abnormally high in 13 subjects (59 p. 100), reflecting a stenosing effect of the prosthesis, unmasked by exercise.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Rest and exercise angina caused by spasm of the left coronary artery. Apropos of a case with angiographically normal coronary arteries]

A 42 year old woman presented with resting and effort angina. During an attack of chest pain, ST-T wave depression was recorded in the anterior chest leads. Coronary angiography showed spontaneous spasm of the left main stem, relieved by nitrate derivatives. The coronary arteries were angiographically normal between attacks of angina. Thallium 201 myocardial scintigraphy showed anterior wall hypofixation at maximal effort. A good therapeutic result was obtained with calcium antagonists. The site of coronary spasm is the special feature of this case, which may be grouped with other rare reported cases of spontaneous spasm or spasm on effort. We confirm that spasm-induced myocardial ischaemia may cause ST depression on the surface ECG.

Indices of effectiveness of medical and surgical treatment in 40 cases of prosthetic valve endocarditis

Forty patients with prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) presenting during a 12-year period at a single hospital were studied. Twenty-six were male and 14 female and ages ranged from 19 to 67 years. During the first six post-operative months, most episodes were caused by staphylococci (38%) and Gram negative bacilli (24%). Between 6 and 11 months no episodes were seen, but thereafter streptococci predominated (50%). The overall mortality was 58% (66% during first six months; 36% thereafter). Nine of 23 patients undergoing re-operation died, most deaths occurring in patients in cardiac failure prior to surgery. Eleven deaths occurred in the 17 patients treated with antibiotics alone. Six of these were pyrexial at death and all but one was infected by a virulent organism. The remaining five were apyrexial at death and all had staphylococcal PVE. Our findings suggest: (1) all cases occurring during the first six months should be initially treated as 'early' PVE; (2) in staphylococcal PVE, apyrexia may not mean cure; (3) the principal guides to prognosis in PVE are the patient's cardiac status and the nature of the infecting organism.

Bacterial endocarditis presenting as acute vertebral osteomyelitis: 14 cases

Association between bacterial endocarditis (BE) and vertebral osteomyelitis (VO) has infrequently been noted. In a retrospective analysis of BE (280 cases) and VO (150 cases) 14 cases were found to have this association. There were 12 males and 2 females, ages ranging from 39 to 72 years, mean age 56.6. Blood cultures were positive for Streptococcus viridans (6 cases). Str. faecalis (4 cases), staphylococcus (2 cases), Gram negative bacteria (1 case). Organism was not isolated in one case. Fever and severe back pain antedate the diagnosis of VO 3.5 and 2.5 months. X rays films of the spine and bone scans (4 cases) revealed lumbar (6 cases) or cervical (4 cases), or dorsal (3 cases) or combined cervical and dorsal (1 case) locations. History of murmur (4 cases) and development of mitral (8 cases) or aortic (4 cases) or combined mitral and aortic (2 cases) insufficiencies were consistent with concomitant BE. Echocardiogram revealed vegetations in 6 out of 9 cases. Patients received antibiotic therapy for 3.5 months. Ten patients were cured with antibiotics only, 4 required valve replacement. One died. Thus age, sex, history of heart disease, valvular involvement, duration of symptoms prior to admission and bacteriological pictures are the same in BE with VO as in BE without VO. Survival rates are also the same if early recognition of BE and VO with prompt and prolonged antibiotic therapy may prevent severe haemodynamic or vertebral problems.