ABSTRACT
We have assessed right and left ventricular function by multigated radionuclide ventriculography in 12 consecutive patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) grouped according to the CDC classification system for HIV infection. Results were correlated with clinical, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic findings. Clinical examination and chest x-ray films showed no evidence of acute cardiac or pulmonary pathology. Five patients had evidence of ventricular dysfunction by radionuclide ventriculography along with significant ECG abnormalities. Three patients had abnormal ECG findings with normal ejection fractions. Echocardiography showed no evidence of significant valvulopathy or pericardial disease except for one patient with fibrinous strands associated with the pericardium. Decreased ejection fractions did not correlate with disease classification, risk group or survival. This study suggests that a major percentage of AIDS patients have some evidence of cardiac abnormalities. We conclude that abnormal ECG findings in an AIDS patient should alert the clinician to possible underlying ventricular dysfunction.
Subject(s)
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/physiopathology , Heart/physiopathology , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/diagnosis , Adult , Echocardiography , Electrocardiography , Female , Heart/diagnostic imaging , Heart Ventricles/diagnostic imaging , Heart Ventricles/physiopathology , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Radionuclide Imaging , Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m , Stroke VolumeABSTRACT
To evaluate the usefulness of telephonically-monitored home exercise in patients within two weeks postcoronary bypass surgery, we randomly enrolled 46 male patients in a 12-week home program of either short walks or bicycle ergometry. Home exercise was done five times weekly and monitored both before and immediately after three times weekly. New arrhythmias or conduction disturbances were detected in 18 of 23 (78 percent) of the bicycle group and in 20 of 23 (87 percent) of the short walk patients. New symptoms developed in three patients, two from the short walk group and one from the bicycle group. Two bikers and one walker developed elevated blood pressure; all were referred to physicians and were successfully managed. Electrocardiographic abnormalities led directly to diagnostic and therapeutic intervention in nine of the 46 patients-four bikers and five walkers. There were no complications such as ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. Technically clear telephone rhythm strips were obtained from patients calling both locally and long distance.