Reproducibility of reading echocardiographic parameters to assess severity of mitral regurgitation. Insights from a French multicentre study.

Background: Poor reproducibility in assessment of mitral regurgitation (MR) has been reported.

Aim: To investigate the robustness of echocardiographic MR assessment in 2019, based on improvements in technology and the skill of echocardiographists regarding MR quantification.

Methods: Reproducibility in parameters of MR severity and global rating were tested using transthoracic echocardiography in 25 consecutive patients independently analysed by 16 junior and senior cardiologists specialized in echocardiography (400 analyses per parameter).

A multiplex analysis of sepsis mediators during human septic shock: a preliminary study on myocardial depression and organ failures.

Background: The mechanisms of organ failure during sepsis are not fully understood. The hypothesis of circulating factors has been suggested to explain septic myocardial dysfunction. We explored the biological coherence of a large panel of sepsis mediators and their clinical relevance in septic myocardial dysfunction and organ failures during human septic shock.

Transoesophageal echocardiography current practice in France: A multicentre study.

Background: Few data are available on the application of transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) recommendations in daily practice.

Aims: To evaluate TOE practice based on echocardiography societies' guidelines, and to determine complication rates and factors associated with patient feelings.

Methods: Between April and June 2017, we prospectively included all consecutive patients referred to 14 French hospitals for a transoesophageal echocardiogram (TOE).

Left ventricular systolic dysfunction during septic shock: the role of loading conditions.

Purpose: The clinical significance of septic myocardial dysfunction is controversial, a fact that may be explained by the influence of loading conditions. Many indices may be useful to characterize cardiac function during septic shock, but their feasibility and physiological coherence in the clinical setting are unknown.

Methods: Hemodynamic and echocardiographic data with tissue Doppler and speckle tracking were prospectively recorded on the first 3 days of human septic shock.

New-onset supraventricular arrhythmia during septic shock: prevalence, risk factors and prognosis.

Background: The aims of this study were to prospectively assess the prevalence of sustained (lasting more than 30 s) new-onset supraventricular arrhythmia (NOSVA) during septic shock, identify the associated factors (including septic myocardial dysfunction), and evaluate its impact on hemodynamics and prognosis.

Methods: Patients with a diagnosis of septic shock were screened in a medical intensive care unit of a tertiary hospital center in France with a continuous 12-lead EKG for the occurrence of NOSVA. Biological and clinical data (including septic myocardial dysfunction characterized by echocardiography) were collected.

Total liquid ventilation offers ultra-fast and whole-body cooling in large animals in physiological conditions and during cardiac arrest.

Introduction: Total liquid ventilation (TLV) can cool down the entire body within 10-15 min in small animals. Our goal was to determine whether it could also induce ultra-fast and whole-body cooling in large animals using a specifically dedicated liquid ventilator. Cooling efficiency was evaluated under physiological conditions (beating-heart) and during cardiac arrest with automated chest compressions (CC, intra-arrest).

Evaluation of lung recovery after static administration of three different perfluorocarbons in pigs.

Background: The respiratory properties of perfluorocarbons (PFC) have been widely studied for liquid ventilation in humans and animals. Several PFC were tested but their tolerance may depend on the species. Here, the effects of a single administration of liquid PFC into pig lungs were assessed and compared.

Hemodynamic effects of Ivabradine in addition to dobutamine in patients with severe systolic dysfunction.

Background: Dobutamine induced tachycardia increases myocardial oxygen consumption and impairs ventricular filling. We hypothesized that Ivabradine may be efficient to control dobutamine induced tachycardia.

Methods: We assessed the effects of Ivabradine in addition to dobutamine in stable heart failure (HF) patients (LVEF < 35%, n = 22, test population) and validated its effects in refractory cardiogenic shock patients (n = 9, validation population) with contraindication to cardiac assistance or transplant.

Effect of transcatheter (via femoral artery) aortic valve implantation on the platelet count and its consequences.

Decrease in blood platelet count has been described after percutaneous coronary intervention and surgical valve replacement, although no study has been performed in the setting of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). The aim of this study was to address the incidence, mechanism, and impact of blood platelet count decrease after TAVI. One hundred forty-four consecutive patients (mean age 84 ± 7 years, 64 men) with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis who underwent TAVI from December 2007 to July 2011 were enrolled.

Vascular purpura revealing a severe dilated cardiomyopathy with left ventricular apical thrombus.

We present a case of vascular purpura revealing an intra-cardiac left-sided thrombus complicating an end-stage dilated cardiomyopathy. Vascular purpura main etiologies encompass the wide specturm of vasculitides and microvascular-occlusion syndromes. Among them, cardiac embolism represents an unusal but potentially severe etology.