[Limits of quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) in intermediate stenosis measuring: a correlation and concordance study with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)]. / Les limites de l'angiographie semi quantitative (QCA) dans l'évaluation des sténoses coronaires intermédiaires: étude de correlation et de concordance avec l'échographie endocoronaire (IVUS).

BACKGROUND: Although coronarography is still the gold standard to evaluate coronary lesions, it remains a bidimensional representation of a tridimensional complex structure, which can represent a source of error in measurements. AIMS: to perform a correlation and concordance study between quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) and intravascular ultrasound measurements for intermediate and ambiguous lesions. METHODS: We analysed 40 patients' coronary arteries from March 2009 to November 2011 by both QCA and intravascular ultrasound to perform then a correlation and concordance study. RESULTS: the correlation study confirmed the limits of the angiogram in providing accurate measurements. The correlation coefficient was yet high in reference diameters (r=0,78, p<0,001) and minimal lumen diameters (r=0,58, p<0,001), but was middling for stenosis percentages (r=0,23, p=0,03). This coefficient was also high for lesions lengths (r=0,51, p=0,01). Bland &Altaman diagrams showed however wide limits of agreement, reflecting possibility of large measurements error and confirming the absence of concordance between the two techniques. CONCLUSION: Coronarography though being the most widespread mean of evaluating coronary lesions lacks to provide accurate measurements, which can influence patient's management, especially in case of intermediate lesions.

[Benefits of coronary revascularization in septuagenarian patients with acute coronary syndrome]. / Bénéfice de revascularisation coronaire chez les patients septuagénaires au décours d' un syndrome coronarien aigu.

BACKGROUND: Prognosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in elderly patients is bleak. Also older people tend to receive less invasive treatment than younger patients. AIM: To analyze the impact of coronary revascularization on the mid-term outcome of septuagenarian patients admitted with ACS. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 250 patients 70 years or older hospitalised for ACS between january 2006 to september 2010. RESULTS: This population was more likely to be male with mean age 74 years and 93 % of ACS were inaugural events (60% NSTEMI, 40% STEMI). Coronary angiograms showed complex coronary lesions with a high incidence of multivessel disease, bifurcation lesions, and calcified stenosis. Seventy-six patients were treated medically and 174 underwent percutaneous or surgical revascularization. At six-month clinical follow-up, major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were significantly higher in medically treated than revascularized patients (62% Vs 31.7%, P <0.001). Patients with invasive strategy have significantly higher event free survival rate comparing to those assigned to medical management (64% Vs 49.7%, p: 0.01). CONCLUSION: Our study confirmed the superiority of invasive strategy compared to medical treatment in septuagenarian patients with acute coronary syndromes. Advanced age should not exclude patients from invasive strategy with complete revascularization.

[Results of cardiac pacing: report of 188 patients]. / Résultats de la stimulation cardiaque définitive: a propos de 188 malades.

BACKGROUND: Indications for permanent pacing are currently well codified. This treatment may, however, present complications AIM: To report the results of cardiac pacing and to identify predictive factors of pacing's complication. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of 188 consecutive patients admitted to the cardiology department of Mongi Slim university hospital in La Marsa between January 2005 and June 2011 and implanted with a single or dual chamber pacemaker. RESULTS: In our study, we had 92 men and 96 women (sexratio= 0.95). The mean age was 70.21 ± 13 years. The indication for cardiac pacing was a high degree heart block in 74.46% of cases and a sick sinus syndrome in 15.95% of cases. The degeneration conduction tissue was the main etiology (72.34% of patients). Success implantation was obtained in 98.4%of cases. The main operative complication was the pneumothorax in 3 patients (1.59% of cases). At Long term, cumulative survival rate was 78.95%. Only operating time affects significantly the rate of early complications (p<0.001). Late complications were related to the valvular heart disease (p = 0.007), the ischemic etiology (p = 0.05), the oral antivitamine K treatment (p = 0.04) and the occurrence of early complication (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Our hospital, which is considered as a small Center of cardiac pacing (less than 80 procedures/year) had a low complication rate as well as big centers.

[Coronary angiographic characteristics in septuagenarian patients with acute coronary syndrome]. / Caractéristiques angiographiques des septuagénaires hospitalisés pour syndromes coronariens aigus.

BACKGROUND: Although the prognosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in elderly patients is bleak , elderly population is less well treated both in medical and interventional terms. aims: to analyse angiographic findings in septuagenarian patients admitted with ACS and its impact on the therapeutic strategy. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed 250 patients 70 years or older hospitalised for ACS who underwent a coronary angiography between january 2006 to September 2010. RESULTS: This population was more likely to be male with mean age 74 years and 93 % of ACS were inaugural events (60% N STEM, 40% STEMI).Coronary angiograms showed complex, diffuse coronary lesions with a high incidence of multivessel coronary artery disease , bifurcation lesions , and calcified stenosis. CONCLUSION: Angiographic findings after ACS in elderly were characterised by multivessel disease and complex lesions .Surgical or percutaneous coronary revascularizaion was possible in the majority of these patients.

Comparison of coronary calcifications detection by angiogram versus intravascular ultrasound.

BACKGROUND: The presence, extent and location of calcium in coronary artery lesions are important determinants of the success of per cutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Although coronarography remains the gold standard for coronary disease detection, Intravascular ultrasound ( IVUS) is proposed as a superior technique for identifying patients with coronary artery calcification . AIM: To define sensibility and specificity of coronary angiography in detecting calcifications considering the IVUS as gold standard. METHODS: Target lesion calcification was assessed in 40 patients (35 men; mean age 57.4 ± 10 years) by angiography and intravascular ultrasound. RESULTS: Ultrasound detected calcium in 51 of 85 target lesion (60%),whereas angiography showed calcifications in only 16 lesion (19% p<0.001 compared with IVUS). Coronary angiography detected 8% of 0-45° arc calcium category, 7% of 45-90° calcium category, 58% of 90-180° calcium category, and 80% of more than 180° calcium category. The overall sensitivity of angiography in identifying calcium was 31% and increased with an increasing arc of lesionassociated calcium. The overall specificity of the angiographic detection of target lesion calcium was 100%. CONCLUSION: Intra coronary ultrasound analysis shows that target lesion calcification is much more widespread in coronary artery disease than what angiography reveals. The sensitivity of angiography was poor, with although a very high specificity.

[Atrial fibrillation following coronary artery bypass grafting: predictors and mid- term outcome]. / La fibrillation atriale aprés chirurgie de pontage aortocoronaire: facteurs prédictifs et pronostic àà moyen terme.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a frequent complication after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) which increase morbidity and hospitalization length. AIM: To identify the predictors of atrial fibrillation and its repercussion on hospital and mid-term outcomes in patients undergoing (CABG). METHODS: We undertook a retrospective review of the data of 224 patients undergoing CABG. The mean age of the patients was 60.8 years. Atrial fibrillation was diagnosed from serial postoperative electrocardiogram. RESULTS: Twenty two patients developed postoperative atrial fibrillation. Multivariate analysis showed that only: age, left circumflex stenosis, sternal wound infection and low cardiac output were predictors of AF following CABG. Hospital mortality was similar in the two groups (5% Vs 9.6 % P=0.7). CONCLUSION: In our study, the incidence of post-CABG atrial fibrillation was 9.8%. Multivariate predictors were age, left circumflex lesion, sternal wound infection and low cardiac output. Hospital mortality and mid-term outcome were similar in the two groups.

[Coronary artery bypass grafting in diabetic patients: early and mid-term outcomes]. / La chirurgie du pontage aorto coronaire chez les diabétiques : Résultats immédiats et à moyen terme.

BACKGROUND: The outcome of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in diabetic patients has traditionally been worse than in nondiabetic patients. Recent studies have suggested an improvement in outcome in diabetic patients undergoing CABG. However, the direct impact of diabetes on mortality and morbidities following CABG remains unclear. AIM: To evaluate the early and mid term outcomes of diabetic patients compared to non-diabetics following CABG. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 228 CABG patients from January 2005 to December 2010: one hundred and twenty-six diabetics and 102 non-diabetic.Diabetic patients were more likely to be female(27% Vs 12.7% P=0.009) were less smoker (55.6% Vs 80.4% P<0.0001) with higher rate of three vessel disease(67.5% Vs 42.2% P=0.005) compared to non-diabetics. RESULTS: Hospital mortality was significantly higher among diabetic patients (16% Vs 4.1% P=0.005).Length of care unit stay was more important (2.3 days Vs 2.1 days P=0.048) , but with a similar rate of sternal wound infection even after bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting. After 28 months mean follow- up, mid-term survival of diabetics was significantly decreased compared to no-diabetics (91% Vs 99% p<0.001) .However, Event-free survival was similar in the two groups (76% Vs 80% p=0.82). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that diabetes is associated with poorer early and mid-term outcomes following (CABG).

[Single versus bilateral internal thoracic artery grafts for multi vessel coronary artery bypass grafting: mid-term results]. / Mono-pontage versus pontage bilatéral mammaire interne : Résultats immédiats et à moyen terme.

BACKGROUND: The issue of superiority of single internal thoracic artery grafting versus bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting remains unresolved. AIM: The aim of this study was to compare the early results and midterm outcome of single and bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting for multivessel coronary artery bypass grafting. METHODS: Between January 2005 and March 2010, 196 patients underwent primary coronary artery bypass grafting with at least one internal thoracic artery grafts. Early results and Outcomes of patients undergoing single internal thoracic artery (SIMA) plus saphenous vein grafting (n=145) and bilateral internal thoracic artery (BIMA) plus saphenous vein grafting (n=51) were obtained at a mean followup of 29 months. RESULTS: Patients with bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting were younger, had less hypertension, higher left main disease and better Euroscore than patients undergoing single internal thoracic artery grafting. In-hospital mortality was similar for the two groups: 6.9 % for patients undergoing SIMA versus 5.9 % for those undergoing BIMA (p=0.8). Sternal wound infection was also similar (2.8% versus 3.9% p=0.68). Mid-term mortality was (4% VS 4.8% p=0.71) and event free survival probability at 28 months was 75% for the single-graft group compared with 85.7% for the bilateral-graft group (P =0.46). CONCLUSION: Our study found similar early and mid-term clinical outcomes for patients undergoing SIMA plus saphenous vein grafting and those undergoing BIMA plus saphenous vein grafting for multivessel coronary artery bypass grafting.

[Chronic atrial fibrillation in adults: direct current cardioversion or medical cardioversion]. / La fibrillation auriculaire chronique de l'adulte : cardioversion electrique ou medicamenteuse.

To study cardioversion modalities of atrial fibrillation, we had a look to 100 cases hospitalized in Mongi slim cardiologic department during the period lasting from January 1993 to July 2001. Medical cardioversion (with amiodarone) was performed in 47 patients and electrical cardioversion in 53 patients. Atrial fibrillation was 17 months old. Vavular heart disease was the main etiology (65%). The primary success rate of medical cardioversion (73%) was equivalent to electrical cardioversion (70%). Oldness of atrial fibrillation was the only predictive factor of failure of cardioversion.

[A rare cause of myocardial infarction: carbon monoxide intoxication]. / Une cause rare d'infarctus du myocarde: l'intoxication au monoxyde carbone.

We describe a 34-year-old man who suffered an acute myocardial infarction after carbon monoxide domestic exposure. The coronary angiogram was normal. The necrosis is explained in part by a severe coronary spasm. The purpose of this work was to assess the pathophysiology and the treatment of this rare cause of myocardial infarction.

[Congenital coronary aneurysm. Three case reports]. / Anevrysmes coronaires congenitaux. A propos de trois observations.

Congenital coronary aneurysms are an unusual anatomical entity. Their prognosis appears to be particularly dependent on the presence or absence of aneurysm thrombosis. We report three cases of congenital coronary aneurysms, diagnosed in one case after myocardial infarction. Two patients were treated successfully by an exclusion of the aneurysm and coronary bypass and the third patient was treated medically. The aim of this study is to discuss the clinical features, prognosis and management of this disease.

[Left main coronary stenosis: clinical and paraclinical aspects]. / Stenose du tronc commun gauche: aspects cliniques et paracliniques.

The authors report a retrospective study about 20 cases of left main coronary disease admitted during 7 years. The mean age is 60 years with a large predilection for men (65% cases). The left main coronary stenosis generally presented as instable angina in 45% cases, myocardial infarct in 40% cases and left ventricular dysfunction in 10% cases. The left main coronary disease was associated with three vessel disease in 45% cases, two vessel disease in 20% cases and one vessel disease in 15% cases. The left main stenosis is frequently distal (60% cases), severe left myocardial dysfunction (EF < 40%) is found in 25% cases. 13 patients had coronary artery by pass graft with favourables outcome in all patients. The mortality was evaluated at 20% cases, only in medical group.

[Pregnancy in patients with prosthetic heart valves]. / Grossesse et prothese valvulaire cardiaque.

In women with prosthetic heart valves, pregnancy carry a risk for both mother and fetus, requiring an obstetrical and cardiological management at an optimal level. We performed a systematic review of the literature to estimate the maternal and fetal complications and in order to offer pregnant women carrying a prosthetic heart valve the most practical approach enabling reduction of these risks. As there are no available controlled clinical trials, larger prospective studies are needed to provide guidelines for effective antithrombotic therapy.

[New indications for cardiac pacing]. / Les nouvelles indications de la stimulation cardiaque.

Over the past decades, the pacemakers have become the standard treatment for patients with symptomatic sinus node disease or high grade atrioventricular block. With the development of pacemaker technology, attempts have been made to apply pacing to the treatment of problems other than symptomatic bradycardia. These problems include pacing to prevent atrial arrhythmia, improve hemodynamic function and to prevent neurocardiogenic syncope. The aim of modern pacing is not only reducing mortality but also improving quality of life and reducing morbidity. Ongoing studies will help to identify better the patient population that benefits most of this treatment.

[Hydatid pulmonary embolism]. / Embolie pulmonaire hydatique.

Hydatid pulmonary embolism is an uncommon condition resulting from the rupture of hydatid heart cyst or the opening of a visceral hydatid cyst often in the liver into the venous circulation. We report a case of 60 years old woman, admitted to hospital for acute heart pulmonale due to fistulization of an hepatic hydatid cyst into the inferior vena cava.

[Pacemaker infections]. / Infection sur materiel de stimulation cardiaque definitive.

Infectious complications following pacemaker implantation are not common but can be particularly severe. The reported incidence varies from 0.5 to 5% in the literature. The duration of the procedure and repeat procedures are considered to be predisposing factors. The main cause of these infections is thought to be local contamination during the implantation. The commonest causal organism is staphylococcus. Because the presentation may be atypical, the diagnosis is often confirmed by transesophageal echocardiography which is the investigation of choice for imaging a vegetation on an endocavitary pacing lead in cases of infectious endocarditis. The seriousness of this infection requires early diagnosis and adapted treatment including double bactericidal antibiotherapy and complete ablation of the material. Systematic preoperative prophylactic antibiotic therapy is recommended.

[Myocardial infarction by complete thrombosis of the common coronary trunk. Two case reports]. / Infarctus du myocarde par thrombose complète du tronc commun coronaire. A propos de deux observations.

Complete thrombosis of the left main coronary artery is a rare angiographic finding. It carries a very high mortality rate related to cardiogenic shock; malignant arrhythmia or sudden death. We report two case of a 37 and 65 years old women, admitted to our hospital with complete occlusion of the left main coronary responsible of anteroseptal myocardial infarct. The revascularisation consisted in surgical treatment in one case and percutaneous angioplasty in the second patient. The aim of our study is to discuss the different therapeutic approaches and the prognosis of this affection.

[Evaluation of thoracic aortic atherosclerosis by transesophageal ultrasonography: value and limits as predictive factor of coronary disease]. / L'évaluation de l'athérosclérose de l'aorte thoracique par l'échographie transoesophagienne: ses intérêts et limites comme facteur prédictif de l'atteinte coronaire.

Atherosclerotic disease in the aorta is associated with a high risk of cardiovascular events. This prospective study was conducted to correlate the presence of aortic plaques in the thoracic aorta detected by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and angiographically significant coronary artery disease. The presence of aortic plaques on TEE had a sensitivity of 97%, a specificity of 80% and positive and negative predictive values of 89% and 94%. Univariate logistic regression revealed that aortic plaques were the most significant independent predictor factor of coronary artery disease compared to other risk factors. This study reveals that the thoracic aortic plaques detected by TEE is a strong predictor of the presence and the severity of coronary artery disease.