Tricuspid valve annuloplasty with a flexible prosthetic band.

This study evaluates the application to the tricuspid valve of a flexible prosthetic band originally devised for mitral repair. Between March 2001 and May 2005, 53 consecutive patients (age 66.2+/-8.5 years) with significant tricuspid regurgitation and dilatation of the right-sided cardiac chambers underwent tricuspid valve annuloplasty with the band and concomitant mitral repair or replacement. Thirty-one patients (58.5%) were in NYHA class III or IV, and 33 (62.3%) had a history of right heart failure. Follow-up was 19.2+/-14.0 months. Three patients (5.7%) died before discharge, and one during follow-up. One late reoperation was required for mitral endocarditis. NYHA class decreased in survivors from 2.7+/-0.8 to 1.4+/-0.6 (P<0.0001), and the symptoms of right heart failure improved significantly after surgery. Tricuspid regurgitation was mild or absent in 44 survivors (89.8%) and moderate in 5 (10.2%). Regurgitation significantly decreased even in patients with risk factors for tricuspid repair failure or with persistent left ventricular dysfunction. The 4-year actuarial freedom from tricuspid regurgitation grade >1 was 88.7%. By univariable analysis, preoperative tricuspid regurgitation grade >2, right ventricular shortening fraction <35%, and permanent pacemaker were associated with the risk of recurrent moderate regurgitation, though only probably so (P=0.077, 0.061, and 0.097, respectively).

Abnormal QT interval variability in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: can syncope be predicted?

We sought to determine QT variability pattern in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and its relationship with the risk of syncope. QT interval variability was assessed from 24-hour Holter monitoring in 10 HCM patients with history of syncope, 10 HCM patients without history of syncope, and 10 healthy subjects. QT variability was higher in patients with HCM, in particular in those with history of syncope, than in healthy controls. Time domain QT variability did not vary between waking and sleeping hours in HCM patients, whereas it was significantly shorter while asleep in the control group. Increased QT SDANN identified HCM patients with history of syncope with an accuracy of 75%. Our data show that QT variability is abnormal in HCM patients and indirectly support the concept that arrhythmia-related syncope in these patients may be, at least in part, related to an altered control of repolarization.

Usefulness of exercise test in selected patients coming to the emergency department for acute chest pain.

BACKGROUND: The management of patients with acute chest pain is a common and difficult challenge for clinicians. In our emergency department (ED) a systematic protocol that involves the use of the exercise test for the management of patients with chest pain of suspected cardiac origin is presently running. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility of such a test in this setting, in terms of the safety and satisfactory follow-up of these patients discharged home. METHODS: Patients with chest pain lasting < or = 24 hours, aged > 18 years, without a history of trauma or of any other evident medical cause of chest pain and without high-risk characteristics were included in the present study. These patients, defined as low-risk patients for acute coronary events on admission, were evaluated in the ED area and submitted to serial ECG and blood sampling for the determination of the creatine kinase-MB mass and troponin I serum levels on admission and at 6 and 12 hours after admission. A symptom-limited maximal exercise was performed in the patients with a negative clinical observation and typical chest pain or atypical chest pain but multiple coronary risk factors. RESULTS: In the year 2000, 1370 patients were evaluated in the ED for chest pain. In 150 (11%) an exercise test was performed. The test was positive in 24 patients (16%). The criteria for a positive test were only clinical in 3 patients, only ECG in 13 patients, and both in 8 patients. Inconclusive tests were observed in 27 patients (18%) and the test was negative in 99 patients (66%). There were no complications during the exercise test. At a median follow-up of 237 days (range 11-443 days), 11 clinical events were recorded (4 acute coronary syndromes and 7 revascularization procedures). Patients with a non-negative exercise test had a significantly shorter event-free survival (p < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The exercise test performed in selected patients coming to the ED with acute chest pain is safe and useful for further risk assessment.