[Correlation of TIMI risk score with angiographic extent and severity of coronary artery disease in non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes]. / Corrélation du score TIMI avec l'étendue et la sévérité de l'atteinte coronaire dans les syndromes coronariens aigus sans sus-décalage de ST.

AIM OF STUDY: To determine whether the TIMI risk score correlates with the angiographic extent and severity of coronary artery disease in patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome undergoing cardiac catheterization. PATIENTS AND METHOD: We conducted a retrospective review of 239 medical records of patients who underwent coronary angiography secondary to non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome between 2002 and 2006. Patients were classified into three groups according to TIMI risk score: TIMI scores 0 to 2 (group 1: n=121), 3 to 4 (group 2: n=100), and 5 to 7 (group 3: n=18). We compared the coronary angiography findings of the three groups. RESULTS: Patients of group 1 had a greater likelihood of normal or non significant CAD than patients of group 2 (36.3 % vs 13 %, P<0.001) and than patients of group 3 (36.3 % vs 0 %, P=0.002). One-vessel disease was found more often in patients with TIMI score 0 to 2 than in patients with TIMI score 5 to 7 (28.9 % vs 0 %; P=0.01), and in patients with TIMI score 3 to 4 than in those with score 5 to 7 (35 % vs 0 %, P=0.006). However, 1-vessel disease was found in patients of group 1 as often as in patients of group 2. The frequency of two-vessel disease was similar whatever the level of TIMI score was low, intermediate or high. Three-vessel or left main disease was more likely found in patients of group 3 than in patients of group 2 (66.7 % vs 26 %; P=0.01), and than patients of group 1 (66.7 % vs 13.2 %; P<0.001). Chronic coronary occlusions and coronary calcifications were also more likely found in patients with TIMI score 5 to 7. CONCLUSION: In patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome undergoing cardiac catheterization, the TIMI risk score correlated with the extent and severity of coronary artery disease.

[Influence of diabetes mellitus on the prognosis of non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes]. / Influence du diabète sucré sur le pronostic des syndromes coronariens aigus sans sus décalage de ST.

AIM OF STUDY: Analyze the influence of diabetes mellitus on the prognosis, at short and middle term of patients with non-ST-segment-elevation acute coronary syndrome. PATIENTS AND METHOD: We conducted a retrospective review of 308 consecutive medical records of patients admitted to the care unit of our department with a non-ST-segment-elevation acute coronary syndrome. One hundred and fifty-six patients were diabetics (group 1) and 152 were not (group 2). We compared the demographic, clinical, angiographic and therapeutic characteristics of the two groups and we analyzed the prognosis of diabetic and non-diabetic patients at short term (30 days) and at middle term (average: 28 months; extreme: 12 months, 72 months). RESULTS: The mean age was similar into both groups (60.8 years). Diabetic patients were more often women (42.1% vs 23.1%) and presented a higher prevalence of systemic hypertension, dyslipidemia and family history of coronary artery disease. Smoking was more frequent in group 2. The rates of coronary angiography, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, and coronary bypass surgery were similar in the two groups. At 30 days, diabetic patients were at increased risk for acute heart failure (19.1% vs 6.4%) and for major cardiac events (12.5% vs 6.4%). A pejorative prognosis was also observed at middle term among diabetic patients. They were at greater risk for readmissions for non-ST-segment-elevation acute coronary syndrome (42% vs 25%), for major cardiac events (49.3% vs 31.6%) and for new revascularizations (17.3% vs 7.2%). In a Cox multivariate analysis, diabetes mellitus remains an independent risk factor for major cardiac events at middle term. CONCLUSION: Our study confirms the pejorative prognosis of acute coronary syndromes without ST elevation at short and middle term in diabetic patients.

[Percutaneous mitral commisurotomy in patients aged 60 years and more]. / La commissurotomie mitrale percutanée chez les sujets agés de 60 ans et plus.

Of 745 patients treated by balloon mitral commissurotomy (BMC) between February 1988 and December 2002, 45 were > or = 60-years old. Immediate and late outcomes in this group (group 1) were compared with those in the patients aged < 60-years (group 2). Baseline hemodynamic parameters were comparable in the two groups. Mitral surface area and hemodynamic parameters improved significantly after BMC in group 1: mean left atrial pressure fell from 18.76 +/- 6.18 to 10.65 +/- 4.38 mmHg (P < 0.001), mean transmitral gradient from 11.03 +/- 4.70 to 4.63 +/- 2.05 mmHg (p < 0.001) and mitral valve area from 0.99 +/- 0.22 to 1.88 +/- 0.41 cm2 (p < 0.001). Similar significant improvements were seen in group 2. The hemodynamic result was good in 69% of group 1 patients. Tamponade occurred in one patient. Mitral regurgitation grade I or II developed in 8 patients and remained stable in 13 patients. These complication rates were comparable to those seen in group 2. In the group 1, a good result was maintained in 60% of patients after 43 +/- 23 months of follow-up. Although restenosis was observed in 40% of patients, functional amelioration was obtained in most of cases. In the group 2, restenosis was observed in 25% of patients. The data from this study suggest that BMC is effective first therapy in patients aged > or = 60-years with symptomatic mitral stenosis.

[Angina and myocardial ischemia related to a fistula between the anterior interventricular artery and the pulmonary artery in a 56-year-old man]. / Angor et ischémie myocardique liés à une fistule entre l'interventriculaire antérieure et l'artère pulmonaire chez un homme de 56 ans.

The authors report a case of fistula between the left anterior descending artery (LAD) and the pulmonary artery (PA), in which the only clinical expression was angina associated with electrical signs of myocardial ischaemia on exertion. In the absence of any other signs of left-right shunt related to the fistula, the initial diagnosis was that of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, especially as this 56-year-old man presented three risk factors. Coronary angiography revealed this anomaly and corrected the diagnosis. Surgical closure of the fistula under cardiopulmonary bypass and via a pulmonary artery approach led to resolution of the angina and exertional ischaemia. Similar cases of LAD-PA fistula responsible for angina as the only clinical manifestation and discovered on coronary angiography have been rarely reported in the literature.

[Severe aneurysmal dilatation of the left atrium. Apropos of a case]. / Importante dilatation anévrysmale de l'auricule gauche. A propos d'un cas.

The authors report the case of an eleven year old child with aneurysmal dilatation of the left atrial appendage and underline the diagnostic value of Doppler echocardiography in this affectation. The two signs which led to investigation of the patient and the diagnosis of this rare congenital abnormality were bulging of the left heart border on chest X-ray and atrial fibrillation. In addition to visualising a left para-cardiac chamber communicating with the left atrium on transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography, colour Doppler confirmed an exchange of blood between the two chambers. This aneurysm was particularly voluminous and contained echos of spontaneous contrast, a possible source of thrombosis. Thoracic CT scan and angiocardiography did not provide any further useful information. The surgical findings confirmed the presence of a large aneurysm of the left atrial appendage and excluded partial agenesis of the pericardium, the main differential diagnosis. The aneurysm was excised under cardiopulmonary bypass, and, in particular, atrial fibrillation did not recur after surgery.

[Results of percutaneous mitral dilatation in 11 cases of poorly tolerated mitral stenosis during pregnancy]. / Résultats de la dilatation mitrale percutanée dans 11 cas de rétrécissement mitral mal toléré durant la grossesse.

The authors report the results of percutaneous mitral dilatation (PMD) during pregnancy in 11 cases of tight and poorly tolerated mitral stenosis (MS). This dilatation was performed on average at 22 +/- 5 weeks of pregnancy, protecting the fetus against radiation and using the double balloon technique. Fluoroscopy time, with a mean of 10.5 +/- 2.2 minutes, was greatly reduced in the last five patients by the elimination of cineangiography. Mitral insufficiency was then sought and estimated by colour Doppler. This also avoided iodine overload and its possible effects on the fetal thyroid. Mitral surface area and hemodynamic parameters were very significantly improved by PMD: mean capillary pressure fell from 25.1 +/- 6.2 to 10.7 +/- 4.4 mmHg, mean transmitral gradient from 18.8 +/- 6.2 to 5.9 +/- 2.9 mmHg and mitral surface area increased from 0.9 +/- 0.2 to 2.1 +/- 0.4 cm2 (p < 0.0001). Pregnancy continued under good hemodynamic conditions until delivery which occurred after 8 and a half months, vaginally, in 10 cases. Cesarean section was performed at 8 months in only one patient because of fetal distress not related to the dilatation and with a satisfactory outcome. The 11 children, now with a mean age of 18 months, are all well and free of any functional or organic abnormality. Measurement of thyroid hormone levels in the first 6 also proved normal. In the light of these results, PMD during pregnancy can be considered as an excellent alternative to surgery when it is possible in terms of the anatomical status of the mitral valve.

[Study of cor triatriatum. Apropos of 6 cases]. / Contribution à l'étude du coeur triatrial. A propos de six observations.

The authors report 6 cases of triatrial heart with various and non-specific manifestations and attribute the difficulty of its clinical identification above all to the frequency of associated lesions, which were present in 5 of the 6 cases reported here. An atrial septal defect and left superior vena cava were each seen twice while a ventricular septal defect, sub-valvular aortic stenosis, mitral insufficiency and transposition of the great vessels were each seen once. It was routine echocardiography which led to the discovery of triatrial heart in each of these 6 cases. The value of this investigation in the positive diagnosis of triatrial heart proved, in these patients, to be greater than that of cardiac catheterisation.

[Superior vena cava syndrome disclosing dissection of the aorta]. / Syndrome cave supérieur révélateur d'une dissection de l'aorte.

The authors report a case of dissection of the aorta presenting as a superior vena cava syndrome. Because of the rarity of such a manifestation, this dissection was not suspected before CT scan. A review of the literature confirms the rarity of obstruction of the superior vena cava during dissection and indicates that it results from a compressive hemomediastinum. In this case, the superior vena cava was compressed by the ascending aorta itself, which had become very large but had not ruptured into the mediastinum. This forms the basis of the originality of the case.

[Endomyocardial fibrosis in children]. / Fibrose endomyocardique chez l'enfant.

BACKGROUND: Recent advances in imaging techniques can facilitate the diagnosis of endomyocardial fibrosis. CASE REPORTS: Two cases of endomyocardial fibrosis were diagnosed in two Tunisian children, one aged 3 years and the other 12 years. Both were admitted with severe cardiac failure, predominantly of the right ventricule. Two dimensional echocardiography showed an apical amputation with echogenic material plus a thick, dense endocardial image, particularly at the level of the papillary muscles. The older child who also had cardiac catheterization, died 2 years later and the younger child died 4 years after diagnosis. Post mortem examination showed fibroelastic thickening of the endocardium and areas of fibrosis in the muscles of both children. CONCLUSIONS: The advantage of two-dimensional echocardiography over other imaging techniques is that it can confirm the diagnosis of endomyocardial fibrosis and indicate the extent and degree of fibrosis.

Non-invasive assessment of mitral stenosis before and after percutaneous balloon mitral valvotomy by Doppler continuity equation.

The continuity equation was used to estimate non-invasively the stenotic mitral valve area by comparison with two other echocardiographic methods (planimetry and pressure half-time) and with Gorlin's formula as the gold standard. The accuracy of the equation of continuity was determined before and 24 h after valvuloplasty in a study group of 21 patients with severe mitral stenosis. According to the equation of continuity, mitral valve area was calculated by the product of the cross-sectional area and the aortic or pulmonary annulus and the ratio of the time velocity integral of the aortic or pulmonary flow to that of the mitral stenotic jet. In pre-valvotomy basal conditions, the Doppler continuity equation demonstrated significant correlations with 2D planimetry (r = 0.72, P less than 0.01), with the pressure half-time method (r = 0.62, P less than 0.01) and with the Gorlin formula (r = 0.66, P less than 0.01). There was no significant difference between the haemodynamic data and the echocardiographic measurements. Twenty-four hours after valvotomy, the Doppler continuity equation also demonstrated significant correlations with 2D planimetry (r = 0.83, P less than 0.01), with pressure half-time (r = 0.82, P less than 0.01) and with the Gorlin formula (r = 0.69, P less than 0.01). However, the haemodynamic measurements significantly overestimated (P less than 0.01) the echographic measurements. Thus, we conclude that the continuity equation provides an accurate estimation of mitral valve area in mitral stenosis before and after balloon valvotomy.

[Prognosis of reoperation for prosthesis dysfunction]. / Pronostic des réinterventions pour dysfonction de bioprothèse.

Between 1969 and 1990, 75 adults living in mainland France underwent reoperation for bioprosthetic valve dysfunction. The average time between the initial operation and reoperation was 65 +/- 41 months. The average age was 44 years and half of the patients were severely symptomatic (NYHA Stages III or IV in half the cases). Dysfunction of an aortic valve prosthesis was observed in 65% of cases (N = 49) and of a mitral valve prosthesis in 35% of cases (N = 26). The causes of reoperation were: 50 primary degenerations (67%), 19 infectious endocarditis (25%) and 6 perivalvular leaks (8%). Valve replacement was performed in 74 cases and suture of the sewing ring in 1 case. An associated procedure was performed in 24 cases: 12 drainage of abscess, 10 double valve replacements and 2 tricuspid valvuloplasties. The operative mortality was 9.3% and early morbidity was 46%. Univariate and multivariate analysis identified two factors predictive of operative mortality: the duration of cardiopulmonary bypass and the cardiothoracic ratio. During follow-up, which lasted 36 +/- 31 months, there were 12 deaths, 4 of cardiac failure; 4 sudden deaths, 3 deaths related to the prosthesis and 1 extracardiac death. The 6 year actuarial survival rate was 71%. The cardiothoracic ratio, the preoperative ejection fraction and the bypass time were factors predictive of global showed bypass time and the cardiothoracic ratio to be prognostic factors. The 6 year survival without cardiac events was 40%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Contribution of the continuity equation for the assessment of mitral valve area in mitral stenosis]. / Apport de l'équation de continuité dans l'évaluation de la surface mitrale des rétrécissements mitraux.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the continuity equation in the quantification of mitral valve area in mitral stenosis, the area being considered as the product of the area of the left ventricular outflow tract multiplied by the ratio of the velocity time integrals of the aortic or pulmonary flow to that mitral flow. The continuity equation was compared to two other echocardiographic methods, planimetry and Hatle's method, and to the results obtained at catheterization using the Gorlin formula in a population of 44 patients with mitral stenosis. All were in sinus rhythm; twelve had Grade I mitral regurgitation and 9 patients had Grade I aortic regurgitation. Excellent correlation were observed between the values obtained by the continuity equation and planimetry (r = 0.91; SEE = 0.19 cm2; p less than 0.001) and Hatle's method (r = 0.87; SEE = 0.20 cm2, p less than 0.001). The correlation with the catheter values were also excellent (r = 0.83; SD = 0.22 cm2, p less than 0.001), better than those observed with Hatle's method (r = 0.73; SEE = 0.27 cm2, p less than 0.001) and very similar to those obtained with planimetry (r = 0.87; SEE = 0.23 cm2, p less than 0.001). The sensibility and specificity of the continuity equation for the diagnosis of severe mitral stenosis (surface less than 1.5 cm2) were 90% and 100% respectively, when those of Hatle's method were 88% and 91% respectively. The continuity equation in the evaluation of mitral valve area in mitral stenosis seems to be reliable and accurate compared with catheter data, and superior to Hatle's method.

[A rare and little known cause of cyanosis: pulmonary arteriovenous aneurysm]. / Une cause rare et peu connue de cyanose: l'anévrysme artério-veineux pulmonaire.

Cyanosis with digital clubbing and a systolic murmur were found in a five and a half-year-old. The usual causes of cyanosis, including congenital heart disease, were discussed. Correct diagnosis was, however, arteriovenous aneurysm of the lung which was seen on the pulmonary angiogram. The lung density on chest films and lack of echocardiographic evidence of congenital heart disease might have suggested this infrequent malformation. Permanent cure was achieved by removing the lower and middle lobes of the right lung.