[Contribution of cardiac MRI in the initial evaluation and follow-up of myocarditis mimicking acute coronary syndrome: a series of 43 patients].

Aims: The diagnosis of acute myocarditis is complex, especially when the clinical presentation mimics an acute coronary syndrome. This condition may promote the progression to dilated cardiomyopathy and the occurrence of severe arrhythmias. A reassessment integrating a cardiac MRI at three months after the acute episode could help identify patients with a poor prognosis.

Reversible myocardial dysfunction and clinical outcome in scuba divers with immersion pulmonary edema.

Immersion pulmonary edema in scuba divers is a rare disorder that tends to recur and can be potentially fatal, even in the absence of underlying cardiac disease. Anecdotal cases of reversible myocardial dysfunction have been described in this setting, but little is known of its pathogenesis. The purpose of the present study was to determine the clinical outcomes and the determinants associated with this condition.

[Pulmonary vein leiomyosarcoma extending into the left atrium].

In this paper, the authors report the case of a 28-year-old man with pulmonary vein leiomyosarcoma presenting subacute respiratory distress. Thoracic computed tomography and transoesophagal ultrasonographic examination of the heart suggested the diagnosis of a heart tumour revealed by the obstruction of the mitral valve and pulmonary oedema. Emergency cardiac surgery revealed the mass to be a leiomyosarcoma, probably extending from the right inferior pulmonary vein and extending into the left atrium.

[Cardiac damage due to scorpion envenomation: case involving atrial flutter].

The purpose of this report is to describe a case of scorpion envenomation observed in northern Chad in a 24-year-old-man with no medical history. The victim rapidly developed supraventricular arrhythmia due to catecholaminergic storm induced by the neurotoxic activity of the venom. Cardiomyopathy that can lead to fatal acute heart failure is a risk after scorpion envenomation.

[Cardiac extension of a non-Hodgkin lymphoma revealed by an atrial flutter].

Primary or secondary cardiac lymphomas are not frequent. Their clinical expression is unusual and the diagnosis is rarely made during the patient's life. Our case report, which is a slow atrial flutter with a pericardial effusion, is an uncommon discovery mode for a malignant lymphoma.

Evaluation of heart failure management in a Military Hospital.

Purpose: Evaluate heart failure management in a Military Hospital in 2005.

Methods: Retrospective audit of 46 case records of patients hospitalised with heart failure within the framework of an accreditation procedure.

Results: The left ventricular ejection fraction was evaluated in 85% of cases during the reference hospital stay.

[Left ventricular noncompaction: a cardiomyopathy in young individuals. Description of first cases in Africa].

Left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) is a recently identified and probably rare congenital cardiomyopathy characterized by changes in the structure of the myocardium secondary to incomplete embryogenesis. The purpose of this report is to describe three cases of LVNC involving African patients. To our knowledge these are the first cases described in Africa.

[Heart failure due to non-infectious causes in developing countries: etiologic approach and therapeutic principles].

Cardiovascular disease is a major worldwide health problem with a growing impact in developing countries. Heart failure is the clinical manifestation of many advanced cardiac disorders. It can have numerous etiologies and the incidence of non-infectious causes is increasing with socio-economic development, thus illustrating the global nature of this epidemiologic transition.

[Complete atrioventricular block of the young adult... do not forget sarcoidosis].

The authors report the case of a 27 years old athletic patient, without any antecedents, presenting with a recent complete atrioventricular (AV block, disclosed by an effort dyspnoea and syncope. The electrophysiological exploration showed a nodal AV block. The magnetic resonance imaging revealed the existence of a septal hypersignal in T1 mode enhanced after Gadolinium injection, and left ventricular function normality.

[Thoracic aortic dissection revealed by systemic cholesterol embolism].

Systemic cholesterol embolism is a rare complication of atherosclerosis, and has various presentations. Arterial catheterisms are a common cause. However, the association with an aortic dissection has been exceptionally reported.

[Effects of antimalarial drugs and cardiomyocytes. Pathogenic approach and new therapeutic recommendations].

The cardiotoxicity of halofantrine was a major concern during the past decade. Other old antimalarials (quinine, mefloquine, etc.) and more recent drugs may carry a similar risk.

[Diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis and follow-up of 24 consecutive patients].

Purpose: Cardiac sarcoidosis is responsible for 50% of deaths which mainly occur by ventricular arrhythmia or conduction disorders. The aim of this study is to determine the value of cardiac explorations for an early diagnosis of these localizations, which are often underestimated and can cause sudden death.

Patients And Methods: We prospectively studied 24 consecutive patients, aged 33 +/-10 years, presenting with a sarcoidosis.

[Acute myocarditis and eosinophilic pneumonia: good outcome after medical treatment and long-term follow-up].

The authors report a case of acute eosinophilic myocarditis (AEM) with acute left ventricular failure preceded by an acute hypoxaemic eosinophilic pneumonia. The diagnosis of myocarditis was confirmed histologically. That of the eosinophilic pneumonia was base on the abundance of eosinophilic polynuclear cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage and appearances on computerised tomography.

The effects of antimalarial drugs on ventricular repolarization.

Cardiotoxicity has become a major concern during treatment with antimalarial drugs. Lengthening of the QTc and severe cardiac arrhythmia have been observed, particularly after treatment with halofantrine for chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria. The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate whether antimalarial agents alter dispersion of the QTc and ventricular repolarization dynamicity.

[Mechanism of action of antimalarials. Value of combined atovaquone/proguanil].

Determining the mode of action of different antimalarial drugs at the cellular level is essential to optimizing their use and to understanding the mechanisms underlying plasmodial resistance. The main targets for antimalarial drugs in Plasmodium falciparum have been the food vacuole and mitochondrial system. A new target is recently discovered organelle named the apicoplast.

[An uncommon cause of persistent fever in France].

Miliary tuberculosis is rare and requires rapid diagnosis. Outcome is fatal in 25% of the cases. Since radiography and laboratory tests contribute little to early diagnosis, clinical findings are primordial.

[Salmonella aortic valve endocarditis presenting with rupture of a femoral artery mycotic aneurysm].

The incidence of Salmonella enteritidis infections has greatly increased over the last few years. Cardiovascular are amongst the most severe extra-digestive complications. The authors report a case of Salmonella enteritidis presenting with rupture of a femoral artery mycotic aneurysm in a chronic alcoholic patient.

[Buerger's disease and coronary disease].

The authors report the case of a 33 year old man with distal occlusive arterial disease diagnosed as Buerger's disease, with two previous transient ischaemic attacks and coronary disease resulting in myocardial infarction. Coronary angiography showed narrowing of the second segment of the left anterior descending artery, occluded distally and not suitable for revascularisation. The observation of coronary artery disease is very rare in Buerger's disease and data of coronary angiography are very sparse in this context.

[Acute eosinophilic myocarditis: a diagnostic and therapeutic emergency].

This report describes three histologically documented cases of acute eosinophilic myocarditis. These three cases illustrate the different clinical and therapeutic outcomes of this disease which can range from full recovery under prolonged corticosteroid treatment to requirement for emergency heart transplantation or death due to intractable cardiac insufficiency. In absence of specific clinical or laboratory data, diagnosis must be established in vivo by endomyocardial biopsy demonstrating eosinophil-rich inflammatory infiltration and necrotic lesions.

[The heart and the eosinophil].

The beneficial effects of polynuclear eosinophils (PE) are well known. However, under certain circumstances, PE can be harmful. The heart is a prime target for PE toxicity which is due to release of basic proteins by eosinophils including major basic protein, cationic protein, and peroxidase.