Very late effects of dual chamber pacing therapy for obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Background: The very long-term effects of dual chamber pacing as a primary treatment for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) are poorly known and controversial.

Aims: To examine the intermediate- and long-term clinical and haemodynamic effects of permanent dual chamber pacing in patients presenting with HOCM.

Methods: Between 1991 and 2007, 51 patients (mean age 59 ± 14 years) presenting with HOCM and New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class ≥ II despite optimal medical therapy underwent implantation of DDD pacemakers with or without a defibrillator and were followed for 11.

[Value of the association of D-dimer measurement and the evaluation of clinical probability in a non-invasive diagnostic strategy of pulmonary embolism].

New diagnostic tools in suspected pulmonary embolism complete the classical diagnostic strategy of pulmonary scintigraphy and pulmonary angiography to limit the indications of these two invasive investigations. In a prospective series of 204 consecutive patients with suspected pulmonary embolism the association of D-dimer measurement and clinical probability was assessed for the exclusion of the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. The D-DI Liatest is a new generation, unitary, rapid and quantitative latex test with a comparative diagnostic performance to that of the reference ELISA test, and well adapted to emergency situations.