Is myocardial performance index an independent echocardiographic marker of death in children with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy?

Background: Myocardial performance index (MPI) was reported as a parameter of ventricular systolic and diastolic function, as well as a useful tool to predict the outcome in patients with ventricular dysfunction.

Hypothesis: To compare MPI with classical echocardiographic parameters as an independent marker of death in children with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDCM).

Methods: Fifty-five children (13 deaths) underwent 104 echocardiograms from January 1996 to May 2005.

Influence of spironolactone therapy on thiamine blood levels in patients with heart failure.

Background: The nonpharmacological management of heart failure (HF) has been understudied. The importance of micronutrients such as thiamine has long been known since its deficiency is associated with the development of high-output HF.

Objective: We studied the relationship between adding to ACE inhibition further aldosterone suppression with spironolactone and thiamine blood levels (pmol/ml).

Large pericardial effusion due to peritoneopericardial fistula.

A 50 years old male with previous history of dilated cardiomyopathy was admitted to cardio-intensive unit with dyspnea, cough, ascites and lower limb edema ascending to the inguinal region. 2D-Ecocardiogram revealed large pericardial effusion, without signs of diastolic restriction. The patient underwent pericardial drainage, which rapidly recollected in the following day.

Outcome factors of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy in children - a long-term follow-up review.

Background: Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy in children has a high rate of mortality. Cardiac transplantation is the treatment of choice in those who fail to respond to therapeutics. Several studies have been carried out to determine unfavourable prognoses, and to provide an early indication for cardiac transplantation.

[Myocardial viability in a single-vessel disease: the role of a dobutamine stress echocardiography].

Objective: To investigate a group of patients that have a significant lesion in a single-vessel and to demonstrate whether or not the sensitivity and specificity of a dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) was valuable in the evaluation of myocardial viability for these patients.

Methods: Twenty patients who had undergone percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) were studied. This group was evaluated 2 to 7 days (3.

[Assessing autonomic function in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy].

Objective: Assess the autonomic function in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) through heart rate variability (HRV) and to correlate it to echocardiographic data.

Methods: Two groups were studied, and compared for gender, age and HR: A) Ten (10) patients reporting septal HCM (70% non-obstructive); B) Ten (10) healthy volunteers. HRV was analyzed along four successive stages: at rest, under controlled breathing, while bending, and controlled breathing associated to bending.

[Therapy of advanced heart failure adapted to hemodynamic objectives acquired by invasive hemodynamic monitoring].

Objective: To assess advanced heart failure (HF) treatment in relation to reduction of ventricular filling pressures, with the use of greater doses of vasodilators, through invasive hemodynamic monitoring.

Methods: Nineteen advanced HF patients were studied, in whom Swan-Ganz catheter was inserted to direct administration of diuretic intravenously (IV) and sodium nitroprusside, with the aim of significantly reduce ventricular filling pressures. After achieving such objective or 48 hours, oral drugs were introduced until venous medicines were removed, keeping hemodynamic benefit.

[The role of L-carnitine in nutritional status and echocardiographic parameters in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy in children].

Objectives: Malnutrition is an independent predictor of death in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. An analysis was performed of the impact of L-carnitine supplementation on the nutritional status and echocardiogram parameters of children with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Methods: This was an open label cohort of 11 patients who received L-carnitine (100 mg/kg/day) plus the conventional medical treatment, compared with 40 controls, matched for gender and age.

How can the echocardiogram be useful for predicting death in children with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy?

Objective: To determine the echocardiographic predicting factors of death in children with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Methods: A retrospective study of 148 children with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy diagnosed between September 1979 and March 2003 was carried out. The inclusion criteria were as follows: heart failure and a reduction in contractility on the echocardiogram in the absence of congenital or secondary heart disease.

[The impact of malnutrition on idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy in children].

Objective: To analyze the prognostic value of malnutrition in children with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Methods: This is a retrospective study of 165 patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, diagnosed from September 1979 to March 2003. It analyzed the following variables: gender, age, previous viral illness in the preceding 3 months, functional class according to the New York Heart Association (NYHA), evaluation of nutritional status (normal vs.

[Prognostic value of chest roentgenograms in children with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy].

Objective: To analyze the prognostic value of cardiomegaly, pulmonary congestion and cardiothoracic ratio as indicators of death and survival in children with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Methods: We carried out a retrospective review of 152 patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy diagnosed between September 1979 and March 2003. In the first 72 months, 722 exams were performed (100 in the first 15 days).

Noninvasive cardiac assessment in children of women with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective: Noninvasive cardiac assessment of newborns and infants of women with systemic lupus erythematosus. The children had no congenital total atrioventricular block and were compared with the children of healthy women.

Methods: We prospectively assessed 13 newborns and infants aged 1 to 60 days, children of women with systemic lupus erythematosus and without congenital total atrioventricular block.

Detection of incipient left ventricular hypertrophy in mild to moderate arterial hypertension with normal electrocardiogram and echocardiogram: a new use for signal-averaged electrocardiography.

Objective: To assess signal-averaged electrocardiogram (SAECG) for diagnosing incipient left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH).

Methods: A study with 115 individuals was carried out. The individuals were divided as follows: GI - 38 healthy individuals; GII - 47 individuals with mild to moderate hypertension and normal findings on echocardiogram and ECG; and GIII - 30 individuals with hypertension and documented LVH.

Thiamin, selenium, and copper levels in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy taking diuretics.

Objective: To analyze the association of thiamin, selenium, and copper serum levels with cardiac function in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy using diuretics, and also to compare them with levels in control patients with no evidence of disease.

Methods: The study comprised 30 patients with heart disease and 30 healthy control individuals. Thiamin was analyzed by measuring the activity of erythrocytic transketolase and the effect of thiamin pyrophosphate.