A prospective evaluation of left ventricular remodeling after inaugural anterior myocardial infarction as a function of gene polymorphisms in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone, adrenergic, and metalloproteinase systems.

Background: Left ventricular remodeling (LVR) is a strong predictor of cardiovascular events after myocardial infarction (MI). Although several factors have been shown to influence LVR, interindividual variability exists. Some studies have suggested that gene polymorphisms may be associated with LVR, but these studies were limited by either a retrospective design or the inclusion of limited patient numbers.

[Cardiac effects of dermatomyositis. A case report].

The cardiac effects of dermatomyositis and polymyositis are found frequently at autopsy, even though the clinical manifestations are rare. We report the observation of a patient with dermatomyositis, in whom ventricular tachycardia, and dilated hypokinetic cardiomyopathy were in the foreground of the cardiac anomalies. This rhythm disturbance responds to treatment, as opposed to the associated dilated cardiomyopathy.

[Ischemic pseudo-normalization of T waves and ST segment].

The development of acute myocardial ischaemia in a territory with baseline repolarization abnormalities can be reflected by transient pseudo-normalisation of the T wave and/or ST segment. These repolarization abnormalities can occur spontaneously, during a stress test or during of an isoproterenol test. Clinicians should be familiar with these unusual electrocardiographic changes of acute ischaemia, which require appropriate surveillance and treatment.

[Primary biliary cirrhosis associated with pericardial effusion].

The authors report a case of primary biliary cirrhosis, associated with moderate pericardial effusion, in a patient with antiphospholipid antibodies. The pericardial effusion resolved, and did not recur, in response to treatment with Colchicine and ursodesoxycholic acid.