Normal left ventricular volumes and ejection fraction: assessment with quantitative digital cardioangiography

The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy and precision of a digital angiography system, the General Electric DX system, as compared to conventional left ventricular cineangiography. After a phantom study, sixty patients with normal coronary arteries and normal left ventricles (LV) were studied. The LV contours were manually traced from raw or subtracted digital runs and from the cine films in an independent manner. A regression formula was used to adjust the DX derived data to the cine film results (Vcorrected = 0.693 Vmeasured +8.65 ml). There was an excellent correlation between the two methods in the end-diastolic volume index (r = 0.97, sd = 4.2 ml/m2), the end-systolic volume index (r = 0.95, sd = 2.7 ml/m2), the stroke volume index (r = 0.93, sd = 4.1 ml/m2), and the ejection fraction (r = 0.85, sd = 3.45%). We conclude that manual tracing of LV contours from either raw or subtracted digital images provides reliable and accurate measurement of LV volume and ejection fraction.

Effect of nadroparin, a low-molecular-weight heparin, on clinical and angiographic restenosis after coronary balloon angioplasty: the FACT study. Fraxiparine Angioplastie Coronaire Transluminale

BACKGROUND

Experimental studies suggest that the antiproliferative effect of heparin after arterial injury is maximized by pretreatment. No previous studies of restenosis have used a pretreatment strategy. We designed this study to determine whether treatment with nadroparin, a low-molecular-weight heparin, started 3 days before the procedure and continued for 3 months, affected angiographic restenosis or clinical outcome after coronary angioplasty.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In a prospective multicenter, double-blind, randomized trial, elective coronary angioplasty was performed on 354 patients who were treated with daily subcutaneous nadroparin (0.6 mL of 10,250 anti-Xa IU/mL) or placebo injections started 3 days before angioplasty and continued for 3 months. Angiography was performed just before and immediately after angioplasty and at follow-up. The primary study end point was angiographic restenosis, assessed by quantitative coronary angiography 3 months after balloon angioplasty. Clinical follow-up was continued up to 6 months. Clinical and procedural variables and the occurrence of periprocedural complications did not differ between groups. At angiographic follow-up, the mean minimal lumen diameter and the mean residual stenosis in the nadroparin group (1.37+/-0.66 mm, 51.9+/-21.0%) did not differ from the corresponding values in the control group (1.48+/-0.59 mm, 48.8+/-18.9%). Combined major cardiac-related clinical events (death, myocardial infarction, target lesion revascularization) did not differ between groups (30.3% versus 29.6%).

CONCLUSIONS

Pretreatment with the low-molecular-weight heparin nadroparin continued for 3 months after balloon angioplasty had no beneficial effect on angiographic restenosis or on adverse clinical outcomes.

Early versus late coronary stenting following acute myocardial infarction: results of the STENTIM I Study (French Registry of Stenting in Acute Myocardial Infarction)

This study was undertaken to determine the feasibility and safety of coronary stenting in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). In AMI, primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is accepted as the preferred method of reperfusion for patients presenting at highly experienced centres. Until recently, however, stenting has been avoided during AMI because of a potential high risk of thrombosis. This prospective observational study carried out in 20 centres and included 648 consecutive patients who underwent PTCA with stent implantation for AMI. Of these 648 patients, 269 (41.5%, Group 1) were dilated early (< 24 hr) after the onset of the symptoms (75% treated by direct PTCA) and 379 (58.5%, Group 2) were dilated between 24 hr and 14 days after AMI. Combined therapy with ticlopidin and aspirin was used after the procedure. Bailout stenting occurred more often in Group 1 than in Group 2 (17% vs. 9.5%)(P < 0.05). Angiographic successful stenting was similar in both groups of patients (96% vs. 97%). During the hospital follow-up period, stent thrombosis occurred in eight patients (3%) in Group 1 and in six patients (1.6%) in Group 2 (NS). There was 14 deaths (5.2%) in Group 1 and 11 deaths (3.9%) in Group 2 (NS). After multivariate analysis bailout stenting was identified as the sole predictor of stent thrombosis (P < 0.0001). Vascular access-site complications occurred in six patients (1%) with no difference between the two groups. This study indicates that patients who receive a coronary stent in AMI can be managed safely with antiplatelet therapy. Randomized studies are needed to determine the precise indication for coronary stenting as an adjunct to primary PTCA.

New report of severe coronary artery disease in an eighteen-year-old girl with pseudoxanthoma elasticum. Case report and review of the literature

An eighteen-year-old woman with pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) suffered from mild angina pectoris over a ten-year period. Severe triple-vessel disease with mild left ventricular dysfunction was demonstrated on angiography. No revascularization was feasible. Despite a reported high frequency of angina pectoris among patients with PXE, only 10 convincing reports have appeared in the literature. Careful coronary artery evaluation is required in young patients with PXE, even though asymptomatic, because coronary artery disease (CAD) seems to be frequent and because no precise feature can be distinguished between types with or without severe vascular disease. Through very rare reports, surgical revascularization appears feasible and beneficial in a less severe form of CAD in patients with PXE. The risk of premature and severe diffuse CAD in PXE does not seem to be explained only by the combination of increased Lp [a] (or any other risk factor) and PXE.

[Optimization of coronary angiographic views. Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of a new system]

A coronary angiographic view is said to be "optimal" when the directing radius of the X-ray beam is perpendicular to the long axis of a stenosis. The object was to fulfill two criteria: 1) the accurate calculation of the spatial orientation of the stenosis to obtain the optimal position, 2) rapid and optimal positioning of the angiographic material with easy rotation around the axis of the stenosis. Two combined solutions were proposed:the Advantx L/C (GE Medical systems) angiocardiographic system with three motorised axes of rotation and a specific software. This software takes into account two longitudinal axes of the stenosis traced by the operator in two conventional incidences and then determines the angles of optimal positioning (accuracy +/-5 degrees). During 97 consecutive coronary angiograms, the software was used in 23 cases (24%) and judged to be useful in 16 cases (70%). In 2 of the 23 cases (8%) the mechanical angles calculated could not be used, the incidences being incompatible with the patient's position. During the angiograms, the best two images of stenosis (one conventional, one optimal) were retained to form a pair of images. Eight observers analysed 37 pairs of images shown side by side. 65% of the images selected from each pair as being the best descriptive appearance of the stenosis came from the optimised system. During quantitative analysis, only the length of stenosis differed statistically between the two modes of acquisition (1.26 +/- 0.36 mm; p = 0.0014). This system is useful during coronary angiography for providing optimal views of stenosis free from any geometric distorsion and without superimposition of adjacent branches.

Can we optimize our angiographic views every time? Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of a new functionality

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

For determining the optimum angulations of the x-ray beam with respect to the vascular morphology of a given patient, the authors present a solution combining a single-plane angiographic system and a dedicated procedure.

METHODS

The clinical evaluation of the vessel profiling acquisitions focuses on qualitative appraisal and quantitative analysis of conventional and optimum projections.

RESULTS

The qualitative evaluation demonstrates the pitfall for an operator to discern optimum from conventional projections. The 70% of preferences for vessel profiling bear witness to the constraints imposed occasionally by the optimum angulations, which may be impracticable for various reasons. However, vessel profiling yields lesions inspection at an optimum view, free of geometric foreshortening. Moreover, there is less risk of superimposition with other branches. From a quantitative standpoint, vessel profiling unveils the lesion with a length significantly longer than in conventional view.

CONCLUSIONS

Vessel profiling offers a qualitative optimization of angiographic images and more exact quantitative analysis.

[Pericardial constriction caused by epicardial patches of automatic implantable defibrillators. Apropos of 3 cases]

The authors report three cases of pericardial constriction secondary to implantation of an automatic defibrillator. In one case, the pericardial constriction occurred 1 year after implantation and was associated with ascending infection of the patch electrodes from the stimulator; the patient died when the patch electrodes were removed, the infection having eroded the left ventricular wall. In the other two cases, signs of constriction appeared 2 years after implantation. In one of these patients, surgery showed a fibrous pericardial reaction deforming the patch electrodes with a favourable outcome when the electrodes were removed. The other patient refused surgery. In the three cases, the diagnosis was confirmed by right heart catheterisation and ventriculography which showed signs of adiastole and severe deformation of the ventricular contours. Pericardial constriction due to patch electrodes is a potentially serious complication of implantable automatic defibrillators, the prevalence of which may be underestimated. The use of endocavitary or extra-pericardial electrodes should avoid this complication.

Cardiovascular effects of the somatostatin analog octreotide in acromegaly

OBJECTIVE

To determine the cardiovascular effects of the somatostatin analog octreotide in patients with acromegaly.

DESIGN

Prospective nonrandomized study.

SETTING

Referral-based endocrinology clinic.

PATIENTS

Seven patients with active acromegaly, three of whom had refractory congestive heart failure. The other four patients were free of symptoms associated with heart failure.

INTERVENTIONS

All patients were treated with octreotide, 100 to 500 micrograms subcutaneously three times daily. The three patients with heart failure continued to receive cardiovascular therapy (angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, digitalis, diuretics).

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

During octreotide therapy, patients showed a rapid decrease in growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1): Mean levels (+/- SD) fell from 28.1 +/- 32.7 micrograms/L to 5.2 +/- 8.3 micrograms/L and 740 +/- 126 micrograms/L to 372 +/- 64 micrograms/L, respectively (P less than 0.025). Plasma volume returned to normal and heart rate decreased significantly. In the four patients without heart failure, right-heart catheterization done before and after 3 months of octreotide therapy showed an 18.3% +/- 11% reduction in stroke volume and a return to normal of the cardiac index. The three patients with congestive heart failure, evaluated before and after 40 days and up to 2 years of therapy, showed a dramatic clinical improvement that was associated with an increase in stroke volume (by 24% to 51%). In these patients, the cardiac index remained in the normal range, filling pressures were markedly decreased, and pulmonary wedge pressure returned to normal. This improvement was sustained for up to 3 years in the two patients with heart failure who were receiving long-term treatment.

CONCLUSION

The rapid and sustained cardiac improvement seen in our patients shows that octreotide therapy for patients with acromegaly may be highly beneficial, even in those patients with advanced cardiac failure.

[Massive delayed-action verapamil poisoning]

An 18-year old woman developed cardiogenic shock after ingestion of 16.8 g of a sustained release form of verapamil. Severe left ventricular diastolic dysfunction was demonstrated. For the first time muscular involvement was observed with myalgia and elevation of the MM isoenzyme of creatinine kinase. The efficacy isoproterenol and the need for prolonged treatment are emphasised.

[An unusual complication of percutaneous aortic valvuloplasty: rupture of an aberrant mitral chorda]

The case of a 77-year old woman who died of refractory pulmonary oedema 36 hours after percutaneous valvuloplasty for tight calcified aortic valve stenosis is reported. Post-mortem examination showed satisfactory opening of the aortic orifice but also rupture of an aberrant chorda which crossed the outflow tract below the aortic sigmoid valves, between the mitral valve and the interventricular septum. This case suggests that before all aortic valvuloplasties the absence of aberrant chorda or suspicious subaortic acceleration should be confirmed by Doppler echocardiography; moreover, during the procedure the balloon should not be inserted too deeply into the left ventricle.

[Left ventricular hypertrophy. Advantages and drawbacks]

The increase of the muscular mass of the left ventricle represents, for the ventricular pump, a mechanism of adaptation to a normal process (growth, sport, etc.) or a pathological process (mechanical overload or cardiomyopathy). The geometrical variations which are associated, tend to normalize the performances and/or the systolic constraints, determining elements of the metabolic needs of the myocardium. If left ventricular hypertrophy is not quantitatively, geometrically and functionally adequate and if the contractility and precharge reserves become exhausted, the systolic performance of the ventricular pump is altered and becomes extremely dependent upon the systolic constraints which are then increased. It may be difficult to take into consideration an insufficiency of the contractility of the ventricular muscle in front of clinical signs of cardiac insufficiency which is conditioned by abnormalities in the filling of the ventricular pump. In addition, some "pathological" hyperthophies may secondarily induce an alteration of the intrinsic properties of the muscle (during its contraction, relaxation an/or extension), susceptible to induce or aggravate a ventricular insufficiency. The causes remain uncertain, since a metabolic imbalance of the myocardium by increase of the needs as well as a decrease of the coronary reserve and the exchange capabilities are commonly accepted. What are the mediators of these mechanisms of quantitative, geometric adaptation and also--at least in some animals--structural adaptation (isoenzymes of myosin)? Why do they seem, at times, strangely absent or quickly out-of-date, or sometimes excessive, with all the drawbacks specific to hypertrophy? The answer to these questions would perhaps represent a new therapeutic approach to left ventricular insufficiency.

[Coronary angiography and coronary bypass in patients over 70 (valvular disease excluded). Indications and results]

Between 1982 and 1984, 30 patients aged 70 or over underwent coronary angiography for isolated coronary artery disease, complicated in 8 cases by an infarct and uncontrolled by major medical treatment, including triple therapy on 28 mmHg (range 5-30 mmHg). Coronary angiography was performed under intravenous trinitrin in 9 cases, under intra-aortic balloon pumping in 1 case, without any serious complications. The majority of patients had triple vessel disease (18 cases) and stenosis of anterior interventricular (27 cases). The left main stem was diseased in 5 patients. Twenty-four patients, with an EF of over 0.40, underwent a coronary bypass with an average of 27 grafts/patients; 4 myocardial infarcts and 5 postoperative deaths were observed. Nineteen patients survived at medium term follow-up and had an excellent clinical result. Of the non operated patients, there was one early death and 3 patients remained severely incapacitated. In the absence of a major contra-indication to surgery, coronary angiography can be offered to patients over 70 years old in cases of severe coronary insufficiency, resistant to major medical treatment. Coronary bypass is justified by the spectacular functional improvement which it alone can bring about.

Relationships between single-vessel coronary artery obstructions and wall motion dysfunction analyzed by four computer-based methods

We analyzed regional wall motion in 238 patients by using cineangiograms recorded in the 30 degrees right anterior oblique projection. The sample was divided into three groups: a normal group (n = 71), a group with isolated obstruction of the left anterior descending coronary artery and previous anterior myocardial infarction (n = 85), and a group with isolated obstruction of the right coronary artery and previous inferior myocardial infarction (n = 82). Both anterior and inferior groups also had motion abnormality within the corresponding anterior or inferior wall as judged by the qualitative analysis of cineangiograms. Four quantitative methods were compared: a long axis method and a center of mass method using internal reference systems, a method derived from the Stanford model and an area-based method using external reference systems. Normal regional values were determined from the normal group to evaluate the specificity and sensitivity of the methods. The area-based method was the most sensitive in the anterior infarction group, whereas the center of mass method was the most sensitive in the inferior infarction group. We conclude that there is no evidence that any method, among those tested, is superior to others for every expected location of wall motion abnormality.

Comparison of geometrical models for evaluating left ventricular wall motion from cineangiograms

Regional wall motion of the left ventricle (LV) has been analyzed from contrast ventriculograms by using 4 methods based on different geometrical frameworks. Two of them utilize moving internal reference systems, the center of mass (CMM) and the long axis (LAM) methods; the two other ones use fixed external reference systems, the area-based (ABM) and the Palo Alto (PAM) methods. The techniques were applied on a set of 81 patients: 42 were normal and composed the group I; 22 had a single vessel obstruction greater than 75% of the left anterior descending coronary artery (group II) with old necrosis or active ischemia of the LV anterior wall; 17 had a single vessel obstruction greater than 75% of the right coronary artery (group III) with old necrosis or active ischemia of the LV inferior wall. ABM and PAM showed the highest specificities and sensitivities on the studied sample. Therefore, we believe these two methods, of the techniques tested, are the best to quantitate wall motion from cineangiograms.

[Cardiac manifestations of the hypereosinophilic syndrome. The value of 2-dimensional echography (12 cases)]

The prognosis of the hypereosinophilic syndrome (HS) depends mainly on the development of endomyocardial fibrosis (EMF). This complication may be overlooked at an early stage, although its presence is an indication for steroid or antimitotic therapy of the HS. Even at an advanced EMF and associated intracardiac thrombi may not be visualised by angiography. This study was undertaken to assess the diagnostic value of 2D echocardiography in 12 patients. The patients were all men (12 of them) aged 22 to 64 years with unexplained eosinophilia 1 500/mm3 for over 6 months, and visceral lesions. The patients were divided into 3 clinical groups. Group A comprised 4 "allergic" patients with chronic asthma and a significant elevation of IgE; Group B comprised 5 "myeloproliferative" patients with splenomegaly and/or hepatomegaly and a significant elevation of serum B12 levels. The 3 remaining patients who could not be allocated to either Group A or B formed the third group (Group C). 2D echocardiography was carried out on average 30 months after diagnosis of the HS and six planes of examination were used systematically (two parasternal, two apical, one extreme apical and one subcostal). Right and left ventriculography was performed in 6 patients (less than one month before or after 2D-echo). Anatomical studies were obtained in 4 cases (2 operations, 3 autopsies). Echocardiographic signs of EMF were observed in 8 cases. Four patients had a restrictive cardiopathy associated to a large LV thrombus in 2 cases.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Acute myocarditis simulating an anterior infarction rupture. Apropos of 2 cases]

The first case report concerns a 31 year old woman presenting clinically and electrocardiographically as an anteroseptal myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock with equalization of right heart diastolic pressures. Coronary angiography performed under circulatory assistance was normal. The patient recovered, and clinical examination 4 years after the acute episode is absolutely normal. The second case was a 37 year old man admitted in cardiogenic shock thought to be due to a large anterior myocardial infarct. Catheterisation showed equalization of right heart diastolic pressures. Pericardial aspiration was negative and the most likely diagnosis appeared to be a localised rupture of the heart. The patient underwent emergency cardiac surgery but no infarct scar was observed and opening the pericardium did not improve the haemodynamics. Coronary angiography was carried out at the 24th hour under circulatory assistance and was found to be normal. The diagnosis was corrected to that of acute myocarditis and 5 months after the acute episode clinical cure was confirmed by normal echocardiography and angiography. The only positive aetiological finding in this case was the serology to chlamydia trachomatis which as strongly positive at increasing titres. Chlamydia was isolated from the patient's urethra and a chlamydia trachomatis exocervicitis was also found in the partner. This appears to be the first reported case of chlamydia trachomatis acute myocarditis in the adult.

Ventricular function and arterial compliance in patients with congestive cardiomyopathy

In order to study the interrelationship between left ventricular afterload, estimated from the mean left ventricular wall stress, and the mechanical properties of the aorta, we have simultaneously measured systemic arterial compliance and left ventricular wall stress in 19 patients with congestive cardiomyopathy. The strong linear relationship between the ejection fraction of the left ventricle and systemic arterial compliance, and between left ventricular wall stress and systemic arterial compliance, suggests that systemic arterial compliance is an important determinant of left ventricular afterload and thus of left ventricular function.

Reduction of myocardial infarct size by a fluorocarbon-oxygenated reperfusate

This investigation assesses whether the size of an acutely revascularized myocardial infarct (MI) could be reduced by altering the composition of the initial reperfusate. Nineteen open-chest dogs underwent 4-hour occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery and were then assigned to a treatment group: 12 dogs to selective intracoronary infusion of the modified reperfusate over 30 minutes before resumption of blood flow for 60 minutes and 7 to a control group (90 minutes of unmodified blood reperfusion). The modified reperfusate consisted of 500 ml of a fluorocarbon-oxygenated crystalloid solution (PO2 650 mm Hg; total O2 content 5.5 vol%) whose composition was adjusted by decreasing Ca++ (0.25 mM), increasing pH (7.60) and adding glucose (1.8 g/liter). Four hours after occlusion, technetium-99m-labeled microspheres were injected into the left atrium. After 90 minutes of reperfusion, the heart was removed and sliced transversely. Areas not perfused by microspheres (areas at risk) were traced, planimetered and compared with the areas of necrosis after incubation in triphenyltetrazolium chloride. Areas were then converted into weights. In control dogs, the weight of necrotic myocardium was not significantly different from the weight at risk (5.0 +/- 0.7 vs 7.0 +/- 0.8 g, respectively [mean +/- standard error of the mean]), whereas it was markedly reduced in treated dogs (5.9 +/- 0.5 vs 9.4 +/- 0.7 g, respectively, p less than 0.001). The weight of salvaged myocardium was 3.4 +/- 0.5 g in treated dogs vs 1.9 +/- 0.4 g in the control group (p less than 0.02).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[The value of temporary electrosystolic pacing for treating low output in posterior necrosis with adiastole]

Early catheterisation was performed in 27 patients with an acute inferior myocardial infarction less than 3 days old complicated by signs of low output with right ventricular dysfunction. All patients had hemodynamic criteria of adiastole (PCP = 14.9 +/- 31 mmHg and LVEDP = 14.1 +/- 4.7 mmHg) with low cardiac output (CI = 1.41 +/- 0.32 l/min/m2). An atropine resistant bradycardia was characteristic (HR = 65 +/- 17.2/min) due to advanced or complete AV block (11 cases), sinoatrial block (3 cases, one with right atrial standstill) or sinus/parasinus rhythm (13 cases) inappropriate to the severity of their hemodynamic state. Although the prognosis based on the discriminating linear function FI = -0.427 + 0.00121 LVW - 0.00125 TPR was initially poor and predicted the death of 21 out of the 27 patients at one month, the outcome was usually favourable and only 8 patients died during the first month. Fifteen patients were treated by temporary endocavitary RV pacing. As the heart rate was increased from 53.8 +/- 11.2 to 92.4 +/- 4.9/min, the CI rose from 1.35 +/- 0.26 to 1.85 +/- 0.46 l/min/m2 (p less than 0.001) with a fall in SI from 26.7 +/- 8.3 to 20.1 +/- 5.6 ml/beat/m2 (p less than 0.005). The results were even further improved in 3 cases by sequential A-V pacing. The observed hemodynamic improvement continued during the period of pacing providing volumic expansion maintained LVEDP above 10 mmHg.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Systemic arterial compliance in patients with non obstructive cardiomyopathy (NOCM), and coronary artery disease (CAD)

Arterial compliance had been estimated in three groups of patients: control, NOCM, and CAD, from analysis of the arterial pressure curve. In the three groups, a simple first order Winkessel model had been validated during normal and post extrasystolic beats. The measured arterial compliance depends mainly on i the diastolic pressure, ii, the mechanical properties of the aorta and major arteries. For the same range of age and diastolic pressure, the arterial compliance was not significantly different in the three groups of patients. Because of the significant variations of the arterial compliance during slight modifications of the diastolic pressure, the lack of difference in the compliance of control, NOCM, and CAD patients may be attributed to similar arterial mechanical properties.

Coronary angiography in diabetic and non-diabetic patients with severe ischaemic heart disease

In this retrospective study, the coronary angiograms of 36 diabetic and 36 non-diabetic patients, with severe ischaemic heart disease, were compared. Patient groups were closely matched for age, sex, cardiovascular risk factors, duration and functional disability of angina. Coronary angiograms were assessed by an independent observer without knowledge of the clinical status of the patients, and graded using a coronary score system. Left ventricular function was analyzed using computerized angiographic data. The same percentage of diabetic and non-diabetic patients had three-vessel disease. The mean coronary score per patient was similar in the two groups. Diabetic and non-diabetic patients had a statistically similar percentage of diseased vessels considered suitable for coronary bypass surgery. Left ventricular function was similar in the two groups. Thus diabetic patients with symptomatic coronary artery disease should be considered for angiographic evaluation using the same criteria as non-diabetics.

[Coronary insufficiency in hypercholesterolemic xanthomatosis. Angiographic aspects]

Coronary arteriography for severe coronary artery disease was carried out in 21 patients with hypercholesterolaemic xanthomatosis (group I) and in 42 patients with serum lipids (group II). Both groups were matched with regard to age, sex and cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, smoking habits, diabetes). The films were examined by an observer unaware of the patients' clinical features; the severity of the lesions observed was assessed by means of a coronary score system. Group I patients had significantly more severe coronary artery lesions and a significantly higher incidence (52% versus 7%; p less than 0.001) of left main coronary artery stenosis carrying a high risk of sudden death. The percentages of affected vessels amenable to surgery and abnormalities in left ventricular function were similar in both groups. It therefore seems reasonable to envisage early coronary angiography followed, if necessary, by aorto-coronary bypass in patients with hypercholesterolaemic xanthomatosis who experience anginal attacks, show ECG abnormalities on exercise and have persistent pain after myocardial infarction.

Effects of acebutolol on myocardial infarct extension: a randomized electrocardiographic, enzymatic and angiographic study

The effect of acebutolol (1 mg/kg i.v. during the first 2 days followed by a daily oral dose of 600 mg for 3 weeks) was studied in a randomized trial involving 26 patients seen within 24 hours after the onset of uncomplicated anterior transmural myocardial infarction (TMI). Myocardial ischemia and necrosis were evaluated by precordial maps recorded daily for 9 days. Left ventricular pump function and dyssynergy were quantitatively measured on 30 degrees right anterior oblique cineangiograms. Angiography was performed, using the postextrasystolic potentiation technique, within the first 24 hours after TMI and was repeated 1 month later. The basal and postextrasystolic beats from the initial angiography were computerized and compared with those from the final angiogram. MB-CK serum level was measured from blood samples drawn every 3 hours for the first 72 hours. Fourteen patients selected at random received acebutolol within the first 24 hours; 12 subjects were untreated and served as controls. During the 1-month study, no other drugs were administered. Treated patients showed a significant reduction in capillary wedge pressure, extent of hypokinesis and ST-segment elevation; no significant differences were observed in the control group. However, the predictability based on the angiographic data was the same in both groups, and beta blockade did not alter this predictability significantly. Furthermore, no significant difference was found during the final evaluation for treated compared with control patients for any single variable or set of variables. The incidence of infarct extension was not decreased, but only significantly delayed in treated patients. The high variability of the measurements, probably related to the high variability of the pathophysiologic factors, may account for the failure to demonstrate the efficacy of acebutolol.

[Changes in the physical properties of the arterial system and left ventricular performance with age and in permanent arterial hypertension: their interrelation]

The purpose of this work was to study interactions between physical properties of the arterial system and left ventricular performance during aging in normal and in hypertensive patients. 50 patients were studied; 28 normal patients (age range 22 to 68 years) and 22 patients with essential hypertension (age range 23 to 63 years). In hypertensive patients, the end systolic pressure-volume ratio (ESP/ESV), modulus of chamber stiffness (kp), left ventricular wall thickness (h), mass (m), m/LVEDV ratio (LVEDV: left ventricular end diastolic volume), systemic arterial resistance (SAR), pulse wave velocity (C) and characteristic impedance of the ascending aorta (Zc) were increased compared to normal subjects of similar age. The ejection fraction (EF), the mean velocity of fiber shortening (VCF) and dp/dt max were unchanged. In normal patients: the ESP/ESV ratio, kp, h, m, m/LVEDV ratio, SAR, C and Zc increased with age; there were no age related changes in EF, VCF or dp/dt max. In both groups, there was a close relationship between the m/LVEDV ratio and Zc, the characteristic impedance of the ascending aorta. These results suggest that: 1. aging and arterial hypertension lead to similar changes in the physical properties of the arterial system and in left ventricular performance; 2. in both cases, the development of concentric cardiac hypertrophy is closely related to the physical properties of the arterial system.

Myocardial hypertrophy, rate of change of free wall thickness and directional components of ventricular power in man

The diastolic (Vd) and systolic volumes, the average free wall diastolic thickness (hd) and left cardiac cavity pressures were determined in 25 subjects using monoplan angiography. Ten subjects presented a normal angiogram (NA), 5 a myocardiopathy with predominant dilatation (MCD), 4 a myocardiopathy with predominant non obstructive hypertrophy (MCH), and 6 a volume overload (VO). All the subjects had a normal coronary-cineangiogram. Myocardial volume (Vw) and systolic thickness were calculated from hd and from end-diastolic and end-systolic internal dimensions. The degree of myocardial hypertrophy was estimated from the value of Vw/Vd. The directional components of the total systolic elemental power due to thickening (average radial power : Pr) and to midwall circumferential shortening (average equatorial power : Pe) were calculated for each subject. Patients with NA, with MCD and with VO presented a positive linear correlation between Pr/Pe and Vw/Vd (r = 0.90). Patients with MCH were clearly below the regression line defined by the other groups. This relationship suggests that the contribution to the total power due to the thickening component is greater with increasing cardiac hypertrophy, except in the case of subjects showing an "inappropriate" hypertrophy.

Detection of residual myocardial function in acute transmural infarction using postextrasystolic potentiation. A computerized angiographic study

Twelve subjects without clinical or hemodynamic heart failure, admitted for a first untreated anterior transmural myocardial infarction, were evaluated within the first 24 hours after the onset of symptoms. Pulmonary angiography was performed while a right ventricular extrastimulus was delivered every fourth beat at 50% of the RR interval to systematically analyze the basal and the postextrasystolic left ventricular frames. Left ventriculograms were quantitatively processed to determine the ejection fraction (EF) and the percentage of the end-diastolic circumference showing hypokinetic (%HK) or akinetic (%AK) areas. Left ventricular angiography was performed 1 month later in all cases at the same paced atrial heart rate to compare this final angiogram to the basal and the electrically induced postextrasystolic initial beats. During the 1-month period of the study none of these subjects had complications such as recurrent chest pain, heart failure or rhythm disturbances, and no drug administration was necessary. Comparing the basal cycle of the initial angiogram and the final cycle, a poor correlation was found between the corresponding values of EF (r = 0.34), %HK (r = 0.38) and %AK (r = 0.48). The correlations were much better when a comparison was made between the postextrasystolic cycle of the initial angiogram and the final cycle (EF, r = 0.84; %HK, r = 0.96; %AK, r = 0.95). These results indicate that, from the first day after a TMI, the analysis of the postextrasystolic frame allows accurate estimation of the final left ventricular function and regional wall motion abnormalities. Postextrasystolic potentiation may be useful in the acute state of transmural infarction to discriminate potentially reversible ischemic from definitely jeopardized areas.

Relationships between hemodynamic profiles and topography of acute myocardial infarction

Initial hemodynamics were studied in 101 patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by shock or left heart failure. 59 had anterior myocardial infarction (AMI); 42 had inferior myocardial infarction (IMI). Data were processed by univariate analysis and correspondence analysis. AMIs and IMIs were significantly different on conduction disturbances, heart rate, left ventricular filling pressure, mean pulmonary artery pressure and right ventricular function indices. Both patients and parameters were projected on the most meaningful factorial plane generated by correspondence analysis. This two-dimensional graphical representation showed that all the information was roughly distributed along the 2 orthogonal axes defining this plane. Survivors and nonsurvivors were fairly well separated along the first factorial axis (prognostic axis) which was highly correlated with both outcome and left ventricular function parameters. AMIs and IMIs were grossly separated along the second factorial axis (topographical axis) which was rather well correlated with location and right ventricular function parameters. These studies suggest that AMI and IMI hemodynamic profiles are modulated by the presence or absence of right ventricular dysfunction. Moreover right ventricular dysfunction may be held responsible of some lack of information about left ventricular function status.

Post-extrasystolic left ventricular peak pressure with and without left ventricular failure

18 patients without valvular pathology, coronary artery disease, or idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis were haemodynamically and angiographically investigated in order to analyse the effects of a ventricular extrasystolic beat upon the post-extrasystolic left ventricular peak pressure. In eight normal patients (group I), the post-extrasystolic peak pressure (P.ES.P.P.) was lower than that of the pre-extrasystolic beat; in 10 patients with symptoms of left ventricular failure (group II) the P.ES.P.P. significantly increased. The reasons are: 1) cardiac origin: stroke volume increased more in group II; 2) arterial origin. a) aortic compliance was lower in group II (this is probably related to the older age of patients in group II), and by decrease in end-diastolic aortic pressure was smaller in group II. Part of this arterial effect (2b) may probably be explained from the fact that post-extrasystolic compensatory pauses are equal in both groups, but the decay time of arterial pressure during diastole (assuming an exponential decay) is larger in group II. At the same age and with the identical aortic compliance only the two factors 1 and 2b play a part in the changes in P.ES.P.P.

Correlation between angiographic and ECG signs location in unstable angina

The authors examine if the modifications of the ventricular repolarisation in patients with unstable angina have a value in localizing the site of the coronary stenoses. The relationship between ECG changes and angiographic abnormalities, as yet unrecognized, is studied in 200 patients. The subendocardial signs have little value in predicting the place of the narrowings, they often involve the lateral leads and join with diffused coronary lesions. Subepicardial ECG changes, however, have a good value for prediction: the involvement of inferior leads implies a right coronary stenosis, and that of septal leads a left anterior descending stenosis. The importance of a systematic recording of these ECG changes in unstable angina before performing coronary angiography is discussed. They should be able to specify the ischemic area of the myocardium and then help clinicians to decide when coronarography (and bypass surgery) is indicated.

[Effects of the parenteral administration of trinitroglycerin on myocardial function, coronary flow and myocardial oxygen consumption in the coronary artery disease patient (author's transl)]

An angiographic study, combined with the determination of coronary flow (thermodilution) and of coronary arteriovenous difference was performed in 10 patients with coronary artery disease under basal conditions and following an infusion of trinitroglycerine. The following changes were noted under the influence of trinitroglycerine: significant fall in left ventricular telediastolic pressure (40%), telediastolic volume (18%), telediastolic strain (53%), mean aortic pressure (11%) and mean systolic strain (21%). Significant increase in ejection fraction (8%), mean shortening (Vcf: 22%) and thickening (Vep: 22%) rates. Significant fall in coronary flow (11%) without any change in coronary arteriovenous difference. Decrease in myocardial oxygen consumption parallel to the reduction in mean systolic strain. These results indicate that the essential mechanism of haemodynamic and metabolic action of trinitroglycerine is located at the level of "load", in particular "preload".

[Acute tubular necrosis in acute alcoholic hepatitis with cardiac beriberi (author's transl)]

In one case of fulminant hepatic failure by acute alcoholic hepatitis, renal failure seemed to be related to active renal vasoconstriction by systemic endotoxemia due to impaired hepatic clearance of toxins, associated with or complicated by a located intravascular coagulation with acute tubular necrosis. The associated thiamin deficiency may have accentuated this renal vasoconstriction.

[Hemodynamic and coronary effects of atrial stimulation in normal subject and patients with coronary disease: correlation with coronary arteriography]

Thirty-two patients (group I: 7 normal subjects; group II: 25 coronary subjects) underwent coronary arteriography, and measurements were made both in normal rhythm and under atrial stimulation of the pulmonary capillary pressure and the pressure in the femoral artery, of cardiac output, of coronary sinus flow (by continuous thermodilution), of the coronary arterio-venous oxygen difference, of oxygen consumption, and in 28 of the patients of the coefficient of extraction of K lactates. During stimulation, the only differences to appear between the subjects of group I and group II were an increase in capillary pressure (p less than 0.01) and a decrease in the coefficient of extraction of lactates (p less than 0.001) in the coronary patients. Similar differences were found between coronary patients with a stenosis greater than 70% in the anterior descending or circumflex artery (group IIa) and those without it (group 11b), and between the patients with pain during atrial stimulation (n = 9) and those without it. There was a good correlation between a double score (IVA + circumflex artery, Rowe's method) and the coefficient of extraction of lactates during atrial stimulation (n = 28, p less than 0.01).

[A simplified arteriographic analysis of systolic pressure and of the pressure-time index]

Systolic stress has been measured in 20 ms periods during ventricular ejection by monoplanar angiographic method, both under basal conditions and after infusion of trinitro-glycerine (TNG) in 8 coronary patients. None of them showed significant segmental contraction abnormality. No correlation was found between the corresponding values of mean systolic stress sigma and mean systolic pressure P, either under basal conditions (r=0.48) or after reduction of the load (r=0.24). On the other hand, values of sigma correlated closely with the corresponding values of the stress sigmas at the end of the isovolumic contraction phase, both under basal conditions (r=0.95) and after TNG (r=0.98. A similar correlation was found between the corresponding values of the peak of systolic stress and of sigmas both under basal conditions (r=0.94) and after TNG (r=0.96). Determination of sigmas is technically simple, and only requires the calculation of ventricular end-diastolic volume, together with measurement of end-diastolic thickness and aortic diastolic pressure. This simplified angiographic method is useful to express the determinants of myocardial energy using parietal stress values instead of intracavitary pressure values.

Evaluation of the elasticity and characteristic impedance of the ascending aorta in man

In 30 patients, simultaneous measurements of ascending aortic pressure and diameter were performed, allowing one to evaluate: (1) the influence of age, the aortic diastolic pressure, and the radius on the aortic elasticity; (2) the correlations between characteristics impedance of the aorta (Zo), systemic arterial resistance, age and diastolic aortic pressure; and (3) the importance of Zo when comparing two indices of left ventricle performance; one during isovolumic phase ([dP/dt]/Pt)max and the other during the outflow phase (maximum acceleration of aortic blood flow).

[Biventricular massive infarction with rupture of a mitral papillary muscle and a tricuspid papillary muscle]

The authors report the case of a man of 62 who was admitted with a clinical and electrocardiographic picture of a posterior infarction which was very soon complicated by collapse and anuria. The findings on catheterisation of the right side of the heart were as expected. The cardiac index was very low, and the major abnormality was a type of adiastole with equal pressures in the right ventricle and the auricle of the right atrium. Despite an attempt to assist the circulation by an intra-aortic ballon, the patient died within a few hours. The postmortem examination confirmed the presence of a massive infarction of the left ventricle, but also of the right ventricle, together with rupture of the posterior papillary muscle of the mitral valve, and ischaemic rupture of one papillary muscle of the tricuspid valve.

[The relationship between left ventricular end-systolic pressure and volume. Comparative study of changes in load and inotropism]

This work consists of a comparison of the indices of left ventricular performance measured during the isovolumic nad/or ejection period under changes in load and inotropism, and of the findings on measuring the pressure/volume ratio of the left ventricle. The indices of performance of the left ventricle. The indices of performance of the left ventricle during the ejection phase (ejection fraction, mean speed of fibre shortening, mean standardised speed of systolic ejection) and the ratio pressure/volume were listed for 36 patients, 21 of them before and after perfusion with nitroprussiate, in 6 before and after perfusion of angiotensine, and in 9 from the group before and after post-extra-systolic potentialisation. The indices of left ventricular performance during the isovolumic (formula see text) were measured in 24 of these patients, 15 of them before and after nitroprussiate, and 9 before and after post-extra-systolic potentialisation. These results show that the level of the pressure/volume ratio at the moment of end-systole is independent of the conditions of load--to a greater extent than any other index measured during the isovolumic period or ejectional period--and appears to be thoroughly related to the changes of inotropism.

[Role of the characteristic impedance of the ascending aorta in the evolution of indices of left ventricular performance during the ejection stage]

In this study of 61 patients (group I: 37 patients with no signs of cardiac failure, group II: 24 patients with signs of cardiac failure), a comparison is made between the indices of left ventricular performance obtained during the isovolumic phase dp/dt/Pt max of the left ventricle (5F Millar micromanometer) and in the ejection phase (ejection fraction, mean speed of fibre contraction, corrected mean systolic ejection speed (left ventricular cineanigiography) and maximal acceleration of the aortic blood flow (electromagnetic velocimeter). Calculations were also made of the modulus of elasticity (Ep) and the characteristic impedance of the ascending aorta (Zo) in every patient. The results show that, for group I patients the correlation between the indices in the isovolumic and ejection phases is improved by taking Zo into account. This result is not true for group II cases except with respect to the acceleration of aortic blood flow. An analysis has been made of the hypotheses and the discrepancies.

[Emergency treatment of mechanical complications of acute myocardial infarction. Septum perforations and mitral insufficiency]

Over the last three years, thanks on the one hand to improvements in surgical techniques and ressuscitation, and on the other to assisted circulation using the intra-aortic balloon, which allows improved preoperative preparation of the patients, urgent medicosurgical treatment of the mechanical complications of infarction has improved the prognosis by comparison with the recent past. During the above period, our figures for operative intervention during the first two weeks after an acute infarction have been as follows: 1. Twenty nine cases of septal perforation (17 of which had previously had assisted circulation by balloon): there were 8 immediate deaths and 8 successful cases (no secondary deaths over a follow-up period of from 2 to 41 months). In all these cases, the surgeon approached the perforation by way of the left ventricle. No patient required an additional bypass procedure. Where indicated, assisted circulation by means of a balloon should not be continued for more than a few days. If there is no improvement with its use, it seems unreasonable to proceed to surgery regardless. 2. Ten cases of acute mitral incompetence; 8 were due to ruptured papillary muscle and two to mal function. 5 patients out of the 10 had required circulatory assistance by balloon preoperatively. There were 2 immediate deaths and 8 successful cases, with one secondary death (follow-up period of between 2 and 37 months).