Vena contracta area size predicts effectiveness of interventional edge-to-edge repair in tricuspid valve regurgitation

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

Percutaneous tricuspid valve edge-to-edge repair (pTVR) is a promising interventional technique for patients with tricuspid regurgitation (TR), but guidance regarding patient selection and echocardiographic screening is lacking. The aim of this study was to identify echocardiographic measurements which may predict pTVR success.

Methods

Before and after pTVR, echocardiographic data, including 3D full-volume datasets, were obtained and quantified. Right ventricular assessments included ejection fraction (RVEF3D) and diastolic (RVVd3D) and systolic (RVVs3D) volumes. Also evaluated were: right atrial (RA) volume, effective regurgitant orifice area by PISA method (EROAPISA), vena contracta area (VCA3D) by multiplanar reconstruction from a 3D colour Doppler loop (Figure 1a), maximal diastolic tricuspid annulus area from a 3D zoom image (Figure 1b), and tricuspid tenting area. TR severity was graded according to EROAPISA and VCA3D as grade 1+ to 5+.

Results

Patients (n= 44, age 72 ± 9 years, 20 male) with at least moderate to severe TR undergoing pTVR were consecutively included. The patients were divided into groups according to their post-pTVR TR grade. Group 1 had TR grade ≤2+, and group 2 had TR grade ≥3+.Echocardiographic parameters before pTVR for both groups are presented in Table 1. As expected, patients with TVR ≥3+ after pTVR had significantly worse pre-intervention echocardiographic measurements of TR severity, valve dimensions, and chamber volumes. ROC curves for the prediction of TR ≤2+ (mild to moderate) after pTVR (defined as VCA3D <0.75 cm² and EROAPISA <0.4 cm²) were drawn for different echocardiographic features (Figure 2). VCA3D by 3D colour Doppler yielded the highest area under the ROC curve followed by TV anatomy measurements (Annulus area3D, Tenting area) and right atrial volume.

Conclusion

A thorough evaluation of TR and valve dimensions by 3D echocardiography, particulary the evaluation of VCA3D by 3D colour Doppler, aids in the prediction of the probability of pTVR success.

Abstract Figure.

Conformational Effects through Hydrogen Bonding in a Constrained γ-Peptide Template: From Intraresidue Seven-Membered Rings to a Gel-Forming Sheet Structure

A series of three short oligomers (di-, tri-, and tetramers) of cis-2-(aminomethyl)cyclobutane carboxylic acid, a γ-amino acid featuring a cyclobutane ring constraint, were prepared, and their conformational behavior was examined spectroscopically and by molecular modeling. In dilute solutions, these peptides showed a number of low-energy conformers, including ribbonlike structures pleated around a rarely observed series of intramolecular seven-membered hydrogen bonds. In more concentrated solutions, these interactions defer to an organized supramolecular assembly, leading to thermoreversible organogel formation notably for the tripeptide, which produced fibrillar xerogels. In the solid state, the dipeptide adopted a fully extended conformation featuring a one-dimensional network of intermolecularly H-bonded molecules stacked in an antiparallel sheet alignment. This work provides unique insight into the interplay between inter- and intramolecular H-bonded conformer topologies for the same peptide template.

Minimum clinically important improvement and patient acceptable symptom state in pain and function in rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, chronic back pain, hand osteoarthritis, and hip and knee osteoarthritis: Results from a prospective multinational study

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the minimum clinically important improvement (MCII) and patient acceptable symptom state (PASS) values for 4 generic outcomes in 5 rheumatic diseases and 7 countries.

METHODS

We conducted a multinational (Australia, France, Italy, Lebanon, Morocco, Spain, and The Netherlands) 4-week cohort study involving 1,532 patients who were prescribed nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs for ankylosing spondylitis, chronic back pain, hand osteoarthritis, hip and/or knee osteoarthritis, or rheumatoid arthritis. The MCII and PASS values were estimated with the 75th percentile approach for 4 generic outcomes: pain, patient global assessment, functional disability, and physician global assessment, all normalized to a 0-100 score.

RESULTS

For the whole sample, the estimated MCII values for absolute change at 4 weeks were -17 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] -18, -15) for pain; -15 (95% CI -16, -14) for patient global assessment; -12 (95% CI -13, -11) for functional disability assessment; and -14 (95% CI -15, -14) for physician global assessment. For the whole sample, the estimated PASS values were 42 (95% CI 40, 44) for pain; 43 (95% CI 41, 45) for patient global assessment; 43 (95% CI 41, 44) for functional disability assessment; and 39 (95% CI 37, 40) for physician global assessment. Estimates were consistent across diseases and countries (for subgroups ≥20 patients).

CONCLUSION

This work allows for promoting the use of values of MCII (15 of 100 for absolute improvement, 20% for relative improvement) and PASS (40 of 100) in reporting the results of trials of any of the 5 involved rheumatic diseases with pain, patient global assessment, physical function, or physician global assessment used as outcome criteria.

Cardiac troponin T: a useful early marker for cardiac and respiratory dysfunction in neonates

BACKGROUND

Cardiac troponin T (cTnT) has been proposed as specific biochemical marker for myocardial infarction in adults. Cardiac function in neonates could be influenced by the severity of respiratory distress and its ventilatory management.

OBJECTIVES

To establish a normal range of cTnT in healthy neonates, compare troponin concentrations among healthy neonates and those in respiratory distress (sick) and detect whether any correlation occurs between severity of respiratory distress and troponin concentrations.

METHODS

Concentrations of cTnT were compared between sick and healthy infants, accounting for confounding variables in a prospective investigation manner. Age at sampling, need for ventilation, duration of respiratory support, and inotropic use in addition to neonatal and maternal characteristics were assessed.

RESULTS

Samples were collected from 164 neonates (116 healthy and 48 sick). The medians [interquartile ranges] of cTnT in healthy and sick infants were 0.044 [0.027-0.073]mug/l and 0.121 [0.065-0.238] microg/l, respectively, with p < 0.0001. The 99th percentile for healthy neonates was 0.244 microg/l. Comparing both groups, there were significant differences concerning gestation, birth weight, Apgar at 5 min and admission to neonatal intensive care unit. Troponin concentrations in subgroups of sick infants including hypotensive, ventilated and dead infants were higher than other infants of the same subgroup. CTnT was positively correlated to the duration of respiratory support in ventilated neonates.

CONCLUSION

CTnT may prove to be a useful early marker for cardiac and respiratory dysfunction in newborns.

An audit of bone densitometry practice with reference to ISCD, IOF and NOF guidelines

INTRODUCTION

The impact of osteoporosis guidelines on clinical practice has not been fully evaluated.

OBJECTIVES

To estimate the positive predictive value (PPV) of the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF), the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) and the International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD) guidelines for osteoporosis and compare it to the PPV of clinical judgement alone.

METHODS

All subjects tested for bone mineral density during the fall of 2001 in three teaching hospitals in Beirut were invited to participate. The reference databases used for the calculation of the T-score were the NHANES database for the hip and the manufacturer's database for the spine. The impact of using guidelines was measured by the increment in PPV. Osteoporosis was defined as a T-score < or =-2.5 at either the spine or hip.

RESULTS

A total of 307 post-menopausal women were tested with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). In current practice (clinical judgement alone), the PPV for osteoporosis was 42.4%; using NOF guidelines, 236 women would have been tested, and the PPV would have been 46.2%. Similarly, using IOF or ISCD guidelines, 236 women would have been tested, and the PPV would have been 47.1%.

CONCLUSION

Compared to current clinical practice, application of the ISCD, IOF and NOF guidelines may increase the predictive value of a central DXA for osteoporosis.

Overweight children in Beirut: prevalence estimates and characteristics

OBJECTIVE

To estimate, for the first time, overweight prevalence and associated characteristics in a representative sample of prepubertal children in Beirut, Lebanon's capital.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study with a home interview including measurements of weight and height and a structured questionnaire.

SUBJECTS

A total of 234 children aged 6-8 years in Beirut: 131 boys, 103 girls.

METHODS

Prevalence of overweight and obesity was based on the international cut-off points for body mass index (BMI) by age and gender proposed by the International Obesity Task Force. The characteristics of overweight examined were: age, gender, household and family size, single- vs. two-parent family, parents' level of education and profession, physical activity and dietary intake of children.

RESULTS

Prevalence of overweight and obesity was 26% and 7% respectively in boys, 25% and 6% in girls. Overweight was significantly associated with low physical activity (P < 0.05) and mother's BMI (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

This study identified a high proportion of overweight in 6- to 8-year-old children in Beirut. Reduced physical activity was the most significant factor associated with childhood overweight. Further studies in different regions in Lebanon are necessary to identify national characteristics; prevention efforts will be designed accordingly.

Low peak bone mineral density in healthy Lebanese subjects

Osteoporosis is a major public health problem in Western countries and is projected to have a similar impact in the Middle East. It has been suggested that peak bone mineral density (BMD), a major determinant of osteoporotic fractures later in life, may be lower in this part of the world compared with the Western world. However, subjects have not been randomly selected or systematically screened to rule out secondary causes of bone loss. The purpose of this study was to determine peak bone mass and lifestyle risk factors for bone loss in a randomly chosen sample of healthy Lebanese subjects from the greater Beirut area. Subjects 25-35 years of age were randomly selected from greater Beirut, which comprises one third of the Lebanese at large, and studied during the Fall of 1999. BMD was measured at the lumbar spine, hip, forearm, and total body. A questionnaire on lifestyle factors was administered to all subjects. Results were compared with the database of subjects from the USA provided by the manufacturer, and to the NHANES database for the total hip. Two hundred thirteen subjects were studied; 45 subjects rotated at all three centers for cross-calibration purposes. Peak BMD in Lebanese subjects was 0.2-0.9 SD below that of peak BMD in American subjects, depending on skeletal site, gender, and densitometer. These differences persisted after attempting to adjust for body size. Osteoporosis and osteopenia were more prevalent than in healthy young Americans. Height, weight, and total body fat were the most significant correlates of BMD/bone mineral content (BMC), accounting for 0.3-0.7 of the variance in bone mass measurement. Lifestyle factors had a very modest but significant contribution to bone mass variance. This is the first population-based study from the Middle East demonstrating that peak BMD is slightly lower in Lebanese subjects compared as with an established database from the USA. Due to the selection of relatively healthier subjects in our study than in the NHANES study, the actual differences between the two populations may be even greater. The impact of our findings on the epidemiology of osteoporotic fractures in Lebanon remains to be determined.

Isolated septic arthritis of a lumbar facet joint

This is a report of an isolated septic arthritis of a lumbar facet joint where the infectious agent was Bacteroides sp. and where an early diagnosis was made using MRI.

Clinical, radiological, and laboratory findings in Lebanese spondylarthropathy patients according to HLA-B27 status

To evaluate clinical, radiologic, and laboratory features in Lebanese spondylarthropathy patients according to HLA-B27 status.

METHODS

We retrospectively compared demographic, clinical, radiologic, and severity data in 40 HLA-B27-positive and 58 HLA-B27-negative patients. All 98 patients met Amor's or European Spondylarthropathy Study Group criteria for spondylarthropathy, and 51.7% met New York modified criteria for ankylosing spondylitis.

RESULTS

Onset before 16 years of age, hip involvement, and an elevated mean erythrocyte sedimentation rate were significantly associated with the presence of the HLA-B27 (32.5 vs 13.8%, P=0.02; 45 vs 7.5%, P=0.001; and 47.7 vs 25.4, P=0.02; respectively). The two groups were comparable for age, sex ratio, prevalence and distribution of spondylarthropathy types, family history, sacroiliitis, bamboo spine, syndesmophytes, peripheral joint involvement, enthesopathies, extra-articular involvement, response to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and need for other medications.

CONCLUSION

In Lebanon, spondylarthropathy patients positive for HLA-B27 experience disease onset at an earlier age, are more likely to develop hip involvement, and have laboratory evidence of more severe inflammation than their HLA-B27-negative counterparts. None of the other clinical and radiologic parameters are modified by HLA-B27 status.

[Incidence of fractures after the age of 50 years in the Lebanese population and implications in terms of osteoporosis]

BACKGROUND

No comprehensive population-based data is available on the incidence of fractures in Lebanon and the Middle-East. The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence of osteoporotic fractures in the Lebanese population aged 50 years and over.

METHODS

In 1997, a cross-sectional population-based random sample of individuals aged 50 years and over was selected using a multiple level cluster sampling technique. Selected individuals responded to an Arabic version of the EULAR questionnaire. A fracture was defined as incident if it had occurred within the last year. The lifetime risk of osteoporotic fracture was estimated using the incidence rate by ten-year age groups assuming that each individual counts on the average for half the interval.

RESULTS

1003 individuals were included. There were 496 men (49.5%) and 507 women (50.5%). Mean age was 61.3 years (CI: 60.8-61.8) with a maximum of 88 years. The observed number of fractures was 111, giving an absolute risk of osteoporotic fractures of 11.1% (CI: 9.1-12.9). It was higher in women, 13.0% (CI: 10.9-15.1) than in men, 8.6% (CI: 6.9-9.3). Female to male ratio was 1.6. The estimated annual incidence was 2.6% (CI: 2.0-3.2), higher in women, 3.8% (CI: 2.2-5.5) than in men, 1.4% (CI: 0.4-2.5). Incident cases were distributed as follows: 4-hip, 4-forearm, 3-spine, and 15 other sites. Annual incidence was higher in women than in men for all sites. Estimated lifetime risk of osteoporotic fracture was 9.3% (CI: 6.7-11.9) in men and 16.7% (CI: 13.4-19.9) in women.

CONCLUSION

Our figures are lower than those found in Northern Europe but are higher than in Asian countries, possibly reflecting a west-east gradient in risk factors.

Osteomalacia secondary to celiac disease, primary hyperparathyroidism, and Graves' disease

Primary hyperparathyroidism is seldom associated with other autoimmune disorders. The presence of normocalcemia in primary hyperparathyroidism should prompt the physician to look for vitamin D deficiency. This observation concerns a 34-year-old vegetarian woman with combined primary hyperparathyroidism, Graves' disease, and celiac disease. The patient presented with severe bone deformities; she was unable to walk, and had severe muscular weakness and weight loss. Biochemical findings revealed severe hyperparathyroidism with normocalcemia, hypophosphatemia, very low urinary calcium, and low 25-hydroxy vitamin D level. Thyroid tests showed hyperthyroidism with positive thyroid receptor antibodies, confirming the presence of Graves' disease. Positive antigliadin and antireticulin antibodies and complete villous atrophy on duodenal biopsy established the presence of celiac disease. The patient underwent a near-total thyroidectomy, with the removal of a parathyroid adenoma. To our knowledge, this observation is the first finding of an association between celiac disease, Graves' disease, and primary hyperparathyroidism. It emphasizes the need to rule out intestinal malabsorption in the case of normocalcemic hyperparathyroidism.

Validation of the European Spondylarthropathy Study Group and B. Amor criteria for spondylarthropathies in Lebanon

OBJECTIVES

1) To validate European Spondylarthropathy Study Group (ESSG) and B. Amor's criteria for spondylarthropathies in Lebanon. 2) To evaluate the frequency of spondylarthropathies in rheumatological practice in Lebanon.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Cases of definite and probable spondylarthropathy were diagnosed based on the clinical judgement of participating rheumatologists, without reference to the two criteria sets under study. The first two patients without spondylarthropathy seen after each spondylarthropathy case were included into the control group. Criteria in the ESSG and B. Amor sets were looked for in the patient and control groups. The frequency of spondylarthropathy meeting each criteria set was determined.

RESULTS

Of the 841 patients evaluated during the study period, 68 met B. Amor's criteria and 72 met ESSG criteria. There were 29 cases of ankylosing spondylitis (40.3%), ten of peripheral psoriatic arthritis (13.8%), two of reactive arthritis (2.8%), two of enteropathic arthropathy (2.8%), and 29 of undifferentiated spondylarthropathy (40.3%). In the definite spondylarthropathy group, sensitivity and specificity were 77.19% and 97.55% for B. Amor's criteria versus 91.23% and 100% for ESSG criteria. The frequency of spondylarthropathy was 8.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.3-9.9) or 8.56% (CI 6.6-10.5) according to B. Amor and ESSG criteria, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Our data validate both criteria sets in the Lebanese population, demonstrating that they are useful in populations that are genetically different from the European populations used to develop them. Spondyloarthropathy is the most common in our rheumatology practice.

[Validation of choice of experts for the spondylarthropathy study in Lebanon]

A study of the spondylarthropathies, their recent diagnostic criteria and the prevalence of HLA B27 in these affections in Lebanon will soon be started. Experts will have to include patients, prospectively, and to classify them as having or not a spondylarthropathy, according solely to their clinical judgement. The decision of the expert is of major importance in including patients in the study. We performed a clinical evaluation of inter-observer variability to select experts according to a significant concordance in the clinical diagnosis of different rheumatic diseases, especially spondylarthropathies. Results of the evaluation are presented and discussed.

Danazol induced pancreatitis and hepatitis

Danazol, a C17 alkylated anabolic steroid, has been tried as a hormonomodulator in the management of systemic lupus erythematosus. We report the case of a patient receiving 400 mg of danazol per day who developed mild pancreatitis associated with hepatitis, both induced by danazol.

Assessment of efficacy and acceptability of low dose cyclosporin in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

The efficacy of cyclosporin in a double blind, placebo controlled trial of four months' duration has previously been reported by us. To assess the benefit-to-risk of cyclosporin this study was followed by a one year open trial including 49 of the previous 52 patients. Cyclosporin was given at an initial dosage of 5 mg/kg/day and then modulated on the basis of efficacy and renal toxicity. During the study the drug had to be discontinued in 32 patients: because of inefficacy in 10, side effects in 11, both in nine, and in two because of unrelated events. The significant clinical improvement noted at four months persisted through one year in the 17 patients who continued to receive treatment. Nephrotoxicity of the drug (24 patients) required constant and close monitoring as well as modulation of daily drug dosage during the trial. This study indicated that cyclosporin might be valuable in the treatment of patients with advanced rheumatoid arthritis, in whom other second line agents have failed.

Inflammatory arteritis with reversible coronary localization in a 70-year-old woman

Giant cell arteritis with coronary involvement is an uncommon event, often discovered at autopsy after a myocardial infarction. We report the case of a 70-year-old female with unstable angina pectoris persisting despite angioplasty and antianginal treatment, associated with chronically increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Temporal artery biopsy was negative but ophthalmic assessment showed sequelae of ischaemic optical neuritis. Response to prednisone therapy was striking, with complete disappearance of angina pectoris, normalization of erythrocyte sedimentation rate and decreased thallium uptake at scintigraphy. This is the first case of giant cell arteritis of the coronary arteries seen after attempted therapy with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. Such findings justify considering giant cell arteritis each time a case of coronary manifestations with increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate resists medical treatment, or recurs after coronary angioplasty.

Fibrinolysis abnormalities in systemic lupus erythematosus and their relation to vasculitis

Fibrinolysis was evaluated in 16 women with SLE, who were divided into three groups of increasing disease severity according to their past history, and in 10 normal subjects. Fibrinolysis parameters assessed were tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) activity in plasma and in euglobulin fractions and rapid plasminogen activator inhibitor activity. All parameters were evaluated before and after venous occlusion to assess endothelial cell t-PA release in response to localized anoxia. Markers of deficient fibrinolysis were persistently undetectable t-PA activity and increased rapid plasminogen activator inhibitor activity after venous occlusion. Defective fibrinolysis was correlated with disease severity; it was noted only in patients with severe or moderate disease and in no patients with mild disease or in controls. Fibrinolysis abnormalities were independent of disease activity, suggesting that vascular endothelium injuries occurring during flare-ups persist during inactive phases of the disease. No correlation was found between fibrinolysis abnormalities and disease duration, corticosteroid administration, or the presence of lupus anticoagulant or anticardiolipin antibodies. These data support the hypothesis of parallelism between the severity of vascular injuries, suggested by deficient fibrinolysis, and the severity of clinical manifestations in SLE.

Cyclosporin in rheumatoid arthritis: a double blind, placebo controlled study in 52 patients

The efficacy and safety of cyclosporin A (CyA) for patients with rheumatoid arthritis were assessed in a four month double blind, placebo controlled study using an initial dosage of 5 mg/kg daily. Six patients withdrew from the study (two in the placebo group because of inefficacy of treatment and four in the CyA group because of side effects). These six patients were considered therapeutic failures. At the end of the trial the study treatment was considered as good or very good by 14 out of the 26 CyA group patients and by only two out of the 26 placebo group patients. Moreover, in the CyA group significant improvement was observed in five of the seven clinical assessment criteria. Clinical improvement was correlated with a decrease in C reactive protein, alpha 1 glycoprotein levels, and platelet count but not with erythrocyte sedimentation rate or rheumatoid factor titres. Renal toxicity (13 cases) remained the major problem in the management of these patients. This study shows that CyA is effective in active rheumatoid arthritis but requires close monitoring for toxicity.

[Systematic ileocolonoscopy in seronegative spondylarthropathies]

An inflammation of the ileum was observed by Mielants and Veys in patients suffering from reactional arthritis associated to HLA B27 antigen. We thought it would be interesting to perform a systematic ileo-colonoscopy in patients suffering from seronegative spondylo-arthropathy, whether it was an axial or a peripheral form of the disease, or it was associated or not to HLA B27 antigen. The results observed in 30 patients who responded to the criteria of Wright and Moll for the diagnosis of seronegative spondylo-arthropathy, were compared to those of 18 patients suffering from various gastro-intestinal disorders. Macroscopically, a minimal abnormality (erythematous patches and/or micro-ulcerations) was observed in 10 out of 30 patients, and never in the reference group (p less than 0.02). The histological examination demonstrated, in patients suffering from spondylarthritis, a higher frequency of minimal signs of inflammation (lympho-plasmocytes infiltration) at the level of the ileum (in 18 out of 19 patients versus 11 out of 18 patients in the reference group, p less than 0.05) and at the level of the rectum (in 15 out of 19 patients, versus 8 out of 17 patients in the reference group, p less than 0.05). This study suggests therefore the presence of minimal ileorectal inflammation in patients with seronegative spondylo-arthritis, which could have an influence on the pathogenesis and/or the evolutive course of the disease.