Epidemiological and evolutionary characteristics of heart failure in patients with left bundle branch block - A Moroccan center-based study.

BACKGROUND: In patients with heart failure, left bundle branch block (LBBB) seems to be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to determine the in-hospital outcome of congestive heart failure patients with LBBB versus those without. METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational study at the Department of Intensive Care and Rhythmology at the Mohammed V Military Hospital of Rabat, where 330 patients were admitted for heart failure between January 2008 and September 2012. Screening out patients with missing data yielded a cohort of 274 patients. Among the 274 patients, only 110 had LBBB and a left ventricular ejection fraction lower than 50%. We randomly selected a subset of 110 patients diagnosed as non-LBBB to ensure a significant statistical comparison between LBBB and non-LBBB patients. We therefore considered two groups in our analysis: 110 heart failure (HF) patients with LBBB and 110 HF patients without LBBB. Patients with incomplete records were excluded. RESULTS: Male gender was dominant in both groups (82.7% vs. 66.7%, p = 0.005). Patients with LBBB had a higher prevalence of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (39.1% vs. 4.8%, p < 0.001); and a higher prevalence of previous hospitalization for heart failure (64.5% vs. 23.3%, p < 0.001). The left ventricular ejection fraction was significantly lower in the group with LBBB (25.49% vs. 39.53%, p < 0.001). Age, cardiovascular risk factors, rhythmic and thromboembolic complications did not significantly differ. In patients with LBBB, 61.8% received cardiac resynchronization therapy performed both during the index hospital stay (50.9%) and previously (10.9%). Hospital outcome was marked by 20 in-hospital deaths in the group with LBBB and eight deaths in the group without LBBB (p = 0.008). CONCLUSION: Our analysis emphasizes increased in-hospital mortality and higher disease severity, over a short period of stay, in heart failure patients with left bundle branch block.

[Hemoptysis revealing pulmonary artery aneurysm associated with intracardiac thrombosis: a delicate anticoagulation situation (a case report of Behçet's disease)]. / Hémoptysie révélant un anévrisme de l'artère pulmonaire associé à une thrombose intracardiaque: une situation délicate d'anticoagulation (à propos d'un cas de maladie de Behçet).

Behçet's disease is a vasculitis affecting both arteries and veins. Cardiac involvement is less well known. The association of an aneurysm of the pulmonary artery and intracardiac thrombosis is rare, and a therapeutic challenge. We report the case of a 26-year-old patient hospitalized for moderately abundant hemoptysis and New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III dyspnea, which illustrates the difficulty encountered when using anticoagulants in this complex situation.

[Myocardial infarction as complication of acute pancreatitis]. / Pancréatite aiguë compliquée d'infarctus du myocarde à coronaires normales.

We report a case of an acute pancreatitis complicated by myocardial infarction with normal coronary arteries on angiography. This observation presents a double interest. First, it illustrates unusual forms of coronary disease represented by the non-atherosclerotic infarction. On the other hand, it shows that the multiple visceral damage associated with acute pancreatitis can include myocardial infarction which complications aggravate prognosis.

[Factors correlated with left ventricular mass in hypertensive patients]. / Facteurs corrélés à la masse ventriculaire gauche chez un groupe d'hypertendus.

UNLABELLED: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is an independent risk factor in hypertensive patient. THE AIM: Of our study is to evaluate prospectively the relationship between left ventricular mass and clinical, echocardiographical and ambulatory blood pressure data in hypertensive subjects. METHODS: We studied 88 hypertensive patient who underwent clinical and laboratory investigation, echocardiography and 24 hours ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Correlations were made between these data and left ventricular mass. RESULTS: Clinical data, which correlated well with left ventricular mass, were duration of hypertension, systolic arterial pressure and pulse arterial pressure. In echocardiography left atrial area and left ventricular dysfunction correlated significatively with left ventricular mass. Data from 24 hours blood pressure monitoring as daytime systolic pressure, nighttimes diastolic pressure, ambulatory systolic pressure and ambulatory pulse pressure. CONCLUSION: In hypertensive patient, left ventricular mass correlated well with left atrial dilation and diastolic left ventricular dysfunction. It also correlated with 24 hours ambulatory blood pressure monitoring data.

[Heart and sports: modifications of electrocardiogram, late potentials and echocardiography. Study of 75 sportsmen and 46 witnesses]. / Coeur du sportif: modifications électriques et échocardiographiques au repos. Etude de 75 sportifs et de 45 témoins.

The authors report the results of prospective study, which compared 75 sports subjects and 45 witnesses. All subjects were male, the differentiating parameter being the type of sport practiced. This work analysed surface Electrocardiogramme, thransthoracic echocardiography and high amplification ECG. The statistical study used the student test t compare means and the Chi2 test for the percentages, the signification limit was fixed to 5%. Clinically, our two series didn't show a significant statistical difference, concerning: age, weight, height or arterial pressure. On the electrocardiographical level, the sport's men have a lower cardiac frequency (p = 0.005), a larger PR space (p = 0.05), an important Sokolow parameter (p < 0.005), and repolarisation disorders represented, essentially by negative T waves (p = 0.02) and an upper movement of ST segment in V2-V3 (p < 0.005). Echocardiography showed a dilatation of the right cavities: right auricular (p = 0.0125) and right ventricular (p = 0.025). Move over, it has been showed that the sport's men left ventricular walls were tabor (septal wall, p = 0.0125), (posterior wall, p = 0.025), despite a difference in the values of the left ventricular telediastolic diameter (4 mm average in the two series). The signification limit was not reached and it was also showed that the left auricular was also dilated (p = 0.025). The study of the delayed Potentials, tried to bring an explication to certain sudden deaths of sport's men which are to date unexplained and which could have a rhythmical origin? It is also to be noted that sport's men present more delayed ventricular Potentials. However, the statistical signification was not reached (p = 0.07).

[Role of atrial stimulation in the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation]. / Place de la stimulation auriculaire dans le traitement de la fibrillation auriculaire paroxystique.

Preventive treatments for atrial fibrillation by stimulation have been developed for several years now, mainly due to the relative failure of anti-arrhythmic treatments. They are based on the hypothetical effects of stimulation by controlling cardiac frequency, abolishing bradycardia-dependent extrasystoles, by the inhibition of atrial automatic foci with "overdrive", and by the modification of intra- or inter-atrial conduction delays as well as by remodelling the arrhythmogenic substrate. It is clear that an undeniable effect exists for the prevention of atrial fibrillation, even for the risk of cerebral vascular accident, by physiological stimulation (DDD/DDDR) compared to pure ventricular stimulation (VVI/VVIR) in a heterogenous global population of stimulated patients. For the moment, there is not sufficient proof of a positive effect for the emerging sites of cardiac stimulation, either atrial mono-site or double site in the populations at high risk of atrial fibrillation, with or without associated bradycardia. Some new prevention algorithms by "overdrive" are under development but for the moment only a few preliminary studies seem to show a slight benefit. It is clear that at present stimulation should be reserved only for cases of atrial fibrillation associated with a classic indication for implantation. In these patients it is recommended to position the probes in an optimal manner in order to counteract conduction disorders, choosing an adapted double chamber stimulator with prevention algorithms. That said, the patient should be clearly warned that the long term success rate is no more than 50%.

[Cardiothyrotoxicosis in the young adult in Basedow disease: report of 30 cases]. / Les cardiothyréoses de l'adulte jeune au cours de la maladie de Basedow: à propos de 30 observations.

The authors report on 30 cases of cardiothyrotoxicosis in the young adult with Basedow's disease. Cardiac arrhythmia represented the most frequent clinical form of dysfunction, mainly atrial fibrillation. Conductive disorders came second, with seven cases of first-degree atrioventricular block [AVB], one case of second-degree AVB, and two cases of sinusoidal bradycardia. Three cases of ballooning of the mitral valve were detected by echocardiography. Myocardial hypertrophy was found in one case. The authors discuss the various physiopathological hypotheses regarding conduction and myocardial hypertrophy anomalies. No cases of severe cardiac insufficiency or coronaropathy were noted, which is explained by the absence of cardiopathic antecedents and the young age of the patient population. Treatment is more complicated in the case of a preexisting cardiac event.

[Papillary fibroelastoma of the large mitral valve disclosed by ischemic cerebrovascular accident: a case report]. / Fibroélastome papillaire de la grande valve mitrale révélé par un accident vasculaire cérébral ischémique: à propos d'un cas.

Thirty-four observations of papillary fibroelastoma (PFE) of the mitral valve have to date been reported in the literature. Our findings are the tenth so far documented on PFE revealed by a cerebral ischaemic vascular accident. The echocardiographic investigation detected a pedunculated tumour of the mitral valve 9 mm in diameter, and associated with moderate mitral leakage. The tumour was surgically excised tumour confirmed the original PFE diagnosis. The evolution seven years after surgery is favourable, with no signs of tumour recurrence and good functioning of the mitral valve system.

[Traumatic left ventricle-right atrial communication. A case report]. / Communication ventricule gaucheoreillette droite traumatique. A propos d'un cas.

The authors report the case of an acquired left ventricle-right atrial communication after open chest trauma. The initial clinical presentation was a haemothorax and haemopericardium responding well to emergency surgical drainage. Secondarily, a systolic murmur suggesting a ventricular septal defect and signs of right heart failure were observed. Colour Doppler echocardiography led to the diagnosis of a left ventricle-right atrial communication associated with tricuspid regurgitation with dilatation of the right heart chambers and pulmonary hypertension. At surgery, a defect in the membranous interventricular septum was confirmed with rupture of the septal tricuspid leaflet causing tricuspid regurgitation. The surgeon closed the defect with a patch and performed a De Vega tricuspid valvuloplasty. The postoperative outcome was uneventful.

[Sinus dysfunction in Basedow's disease. A case report]. / Dysfonction sinusale au cours d'une maladie de Basedow. A propos d'une observation.

UNLABELLED: INTRODUCTION AND EXEGESIS: The authors report a case of sinus node dysfunction that occurred in a 22-year-old patient with Graves' disease and disappeared after thyroidectomy. CONCLUSION: Bradycardia is uncommon in hyperthyroidism, the sinus node dysfunction would be due to thyrotoxicity-related myocarditis.

[Use of esophageal investigation in the mid-term outcome after radiofrequency ablation of intranodal reentrant tachycardia]. / Utilisation de l'exploration oesophagienne pour le suivi à moyen terme après ablation par radiofréquence des tachycardies par réentrée intranodale.

The aim of this prospective study was to assess the medium term results of radio-frequency ablation of intranodal tachycardias by transoesophageal stimulation and recordings. Transoesophageal stimulation was performed on average 9 months after ablation. The anterograde Wenckebach point, the presence of dual nodal conduction and inducibility of nodal tachycardias were determined under basal conditions and after isoproterenol. The follow-up period after ablation was 16.1 +/- 10.2 months. At the time of the oesophageal investigation 25 patients were asymptomatic and 5 had a recurrence of palpitations. The investigation was carried out without complications in all patients and lasted 34.8 +/- 14 minutes. The anterograde Wenckebach point was 340 +/- 78.2 ms and was unchanged compared with the value recorded by endocavitary left atrial stimulation before ablation (332 +/- 63.2 ms). Dual nodal conduction was observed in 19 patients. Nodal tachycardia was inducible in only 2 of the 5 patients with palpitations. Of the asymptomatic patients, 3 had inducible nodal tachycardias after isoproterenol. The authors conclude that oesophageal electrophysiological studies are a simple means of assessing the medium-term results of radiofrequency ablation of intranodal tachycardias. In those patients with a recurrence of symptoms but without documented arrhythmias, failure of radiofrequency ablation may be identified. In addition, the possibility of inducing nodal tachycardias in asymptomatic patients may be detected.

[Esophageal approach in rythmology. Diagnostic and therapeutic applications]. / La Voie oesophagienne en rythmologie. Applications diagnostiques et thérapeutiques.

The oesophageal route is a simple technique, which is easy to perform. It allows precise assessment of supraventricular arrhythmias without using the endocavitary route. There is a perfect correlation between the two methods for the study of sinus function and the Wenckebach point. This technique makes a considerable contribution to the diagnosis of junctional tachycardia and the evaluation of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. It can reduce approximately 65% of flutters and 50% of atrial tachyarrythmias. It can also be used to monitor antiarrhythmic treatment or in the assessment of radiofrequency resection, especially in nodal tachycardias and left atrioventricular accessory pathways. Its limitations concern the sometimes painful nature of the investigation and the impossibility of recording the electrical activity of the His bundle.

[Mid-term outcome of escape rhythm after radiofrequency ablation of the atrioventricular junction]. / Evolution à moyen terme du foyer d'échappement après ablation par radiofréquence de la jonction auriculoventriculaire.

UNLABELLED: Mid-term outcome of the underlying escape rhythm developed after radiofrequency ablation of the atrio-ventricular junction was studied in 50 consecutive patients (28 women and 22 men with a mean age of 66.2 +/- 9.6 years). The escape rhythm was assessed immediately after ablation and after 13.7 +/- 8 months. At the end of ablation: an escape rhythm was present in 38 patients (76%), with a mean rate of 40.7 +/- 9.7 beats/min and a QRS morphology identical to the preablation QRS morphology in 22 patients (58%). At follow-up: an escape rhythm was present in 37 patients (74%), with a slower mean rate of 36.4 +/- 6.8 beats/min (p < 0.05) and an unchanged QRS morphology in 87.5% of the patients. Patients presenting with an escape rhythm at follow-up were more frequently found to have a postablation escape rhythm (p < 0.01). Escape rhythm presence at follow-up was not influenced by age, presence of a cardiac disease, continuation of an antiarrhythmic treatment after ablation, use of a bilateral approach for ablation or number of radiofrequency applications. CONCLUSION: after abrupt inhibition of the stimulation, an escape rhythm was present only in 74% of the patients 13.7 +/- 8 months after atrio-ventricular junction radiofrequency ablation. QRS morphology was identical to the preablation morphology in 57% of the patients.

[Ventricular extrasystole and arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia. Critical analysis of the diagnostic value of non-invasive tests]. / Extrasystolie ventriculaire et dysplasie ventriculaire droite arythmogène. Analyse critique de la valeur diagnostique des examens non invasifs.

Asymptomatic ventricular extrasystoles were discovered in 2 active sportsmen (32 and 33 years). The cardiology work-up rapidly led to the diagnosis of arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia in one. In the other, the clinical presentation was similar and the initial diagnosis was ventricular extrasystole with a healthy heart. Four years later however, the subject was still asymptomatic but a second evaluation revealed arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia. This delayed diagnosis emphasizes the importance of renewed noninvasive evaluation of patients with asymptomatic ventricular extrasystoles.

[Acute pericarditis in Coxiella burnetti infection. Apropos of a case]. / Péricardite aiguë lors d'une infection à Coxiella burnetii. A propos d'une observation.

The authors report a case of pleuro-pericarditis during an acute Coxiella burnetii infection. They point out the rarity of this mode of presentation of acute Q fever and the diagnostic difficulties in the absence of focal pulmonary or hepatic signs. The diagnosis was confirmed by serological changes, essentially indirect immunofluorescence. They underline the importance of early diagnosis before the disease become chronic, exposing the patient to more serious cardiac disease which may be difficult to treat.