Usefulness of multiplane transesophageal echocardiography to improve the assessment of severity of mitral regurgitation.

This study was designed to examine the accuracy of multiplane transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) color Doppler measurements in comparison to monoplane or biplane measurements in estimating the severity of mitral regurgitation (MR). Multiplane TEE potentially increases diagnostic accuracy of transesophageal examinations; it is unknown if multiplane is more accurate in assessing the severity of MR than monoplane or biplane TEE. Left ventricular cineangiograms of 91 patients with MR (40 no or mild, 30 moderate, and 21 severe) were compared with systolic pulmonary venous flow reversal and transesophageal color Doppler measurements: jet area and length in the transverse and longitudinal plane, maximal and average of those 2 planes (biplane), and maximal and average of 11 different planes (multiplane).

New diagnostic options in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

The pathophysiologic features and clinical manifestations of HCM have been elucidated by the introduction of several new diagnostic options. Knowledge of the molecular defects of HCM has advanced rapidly, and genetic screening studies have reemphasized the value of the standard electrocardiogram as an initial screening tool. Analysis of heart rate variability, late potentials, and QT dispersion were not found to be reliable prognostic markers in HCM.

Assessment of quantitative hypertrophy scores in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: magnetic resonance imaging versus echocardiography.

To compare the diagnostic value of spin-echo magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and transthoracic echocardiography in quantitative assessment of the extent of hypertrophy in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), we examined 52 consecutive patients with HCM. The Spirito-Maron and Wigle hypertrophy scores were calculated with wall thickness measurements obtained by both imaging modalities. MR imaging yielded complete assessment of anatomic features and allowed calculation of hypertrophy scores in 49 patients (94%).

Long-term cigarette smoking is associated with increased myocardial perfusion heterogeneity assessed by positron emission tomography.

The pathophysiology of smoking-related coronary events in patients with normal coronary arteries is incompletely understood. This study was conducted to explore, in subjects without symptoms of cardiovascular disease, the long-term effects of smoking on regional coronary artery vasoactivity, especially during sympathetic stimulation. In ten smoking and ten non-smoking sex- and age-matched healthy volunteers, segmental myocardial perfusion was studied using dynamic parametric nitrogen-13 ammonia positron emission tomography at rest and during sympathetic stimulation evoked by the cold pressor stimulation.

Effects of permanent dual chamber pacing on myocardial perfusion in symptomatic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Objective: Angina and the presence of myocardial ischaemia are common in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Dual chamber pacing results in clinical improvement in these patients. This study evaluates the effects of permanent dual chamber pacing on absolute regional myocardial perfusion and perfusion reserve.

Biplane transesophageal color-flow Doppler imaging in assessing severity of mitral regurgitation: influence of hemodynamic circumstances and mechanism of regurgitation.

Objective: To determine the value of biplane transesophageal echocardiography in the assessment of severity of mitral regurgitation compared with left ventricular angiography.

Design: Prospective study of consecutive patients.

Setting: Two university hospitals, one community hospital.

Comparison of myocardial uptake of fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose imaged with PET and SPECT in dyssynergic myocardium.

Unlabelled: PET with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) can detect viable myocardium and predict functional recovery after revascularization. The use of PET for clinical routine, however, is limited. Recently, imaging FDG with SPECT was proposed.

Excimer laser angioplasty versus balloon angioplasty in functional and total coronary occlusions.

Registries of excimer laser coronary angioplasty have reported good results in the treatment of complex coronary artery disease, including total or subtotal coronary occlusions. One hundred three patients (103 lesions) with a functional or total coronary occlusion were included in a randomized trial (Amsterdam-Rotterdam [AMRO] trial, total of 308 patients), 49 patients were allocated to laser angioplasty and 54 patients to balloon angioplasty. The primary clinical end points were death, myocardial infarction, coronary bypass surgery, or repeated coronary angioplasty of the randomized segment during a 6-month follow-up period.

Reduction of transient myocardial ischemia with pravastatin in addition to the conventional treatment in patients with angina pectoris. REGRESS Study Group.

Background: Lipid-lowering therapy reduces cardiac morbidity and mortality. Less is known about its potential anti-ischemic effect.

Methods And Results: In a 2-year prospective randomized placebo-controlled study, the effect of pravastatin 40 mg on transient myocardial ischemia was assessed.

Value of digoxin in heart failure and sinus rhythm: new features of an old drug?

Digoxin has been a controversial drug since its introduction >200 years ago. Although its efficacy in patients with heart failure and atrial fibrillation is clear, its value in patients with heart failure and sinus rhythm has often been questioned. In the 1980s, reports of some large-scale trials indicated that digoxin, with or without vasodilators or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, reduced signs and symptoms of congestive heart failure and improved exercise tolerance.

Clinical and autonomic effects of ibopamine as adjunct to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in chronic heart failure.

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the additive value of ibopamine in heart failure patients who are treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. Ibopamine exerts hemodynamic and neurohumoral effects, and is beneficial in mild heart failure; however, its additive value in more advanced disease in unclear.

Methods And Results: The study was a stand-alone, double-blind, randomized parallel group comparison of ibopamine (100 mg 3 times daily) and placebo in 59 patients with New York Heart Association functional class III-IV heart failure.

Acceptance and side effects of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring: evaluation of a new technology.

Ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring is probably becoming a clinically useful procedure for the evaluation of hypertensive patients. Previous reports have shown that the devices are safe and serious side effects are rare. Discomfort and inconveniences associated with its use are more frequent.

Increased myocardial [123I]-metaiodobenzylguanidine uptake after enalapril treatment in patients with chronic heart failure.

Objective: To assess non-invasively the effect of enalapril on cardiac sympathetic neuronal uptake function in patients with congestive heart failure, by using [123I]-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG), which is a noradrenaline analogue. Cardiac MIBG uptake was visualised by single photon emission tomography (SPET). In addition, plasma noradrenaline concentration, indicating systemic sympathetic activity, was measured to see whether it was related to cardiac MIBG uptake.

Comparison between positron emission tomography myocardial perfusion imaging and intracoronary Doppler flow velocity measurements at rest and during cold pressor testing in angiographically normal coronary arteries in patients with one-vessel coronary artery disease.

With use of invasive methods, coronary endothelial function is generally studied by examining the response of epicardial coronary arteries to intracoronary administered acetylcholine or to cold pressor testing. Because invasive methods have substantial inherent limitations, studies should attempt to evaluate coronary endothelial function noninvasively. This study examines a noninvasive technique for endothelium-related coronary stress testing.

Predictive value of ambulatory blood pressure shortly after withdrawal of antihypertensive drugs in primary care patients.

Objective: To determine whether ambulatory blood pressure eight weeks after withdrawal of antihypertensive medication is a more sensitive measure than seated blood pressure to predict blood pressure in the long term.

Design: Patients with previously untreated diastolic hypertension were treated with antihypertensive drugs for one year; these were withdrawn in patients with well controlled blood pressure, who were then followed for one year.

Setting: Primary care.

Value of systolic pulmonary venous flow reversal and color Doppler jet measurements assessed with transesophageal echocardiography in recognizing severe pure mitral regurgitation.

We evaluated the value of color and pulsed Doppler transesophageal echocardiographic parameters and of V waves in estimating the severity of mitral regurgitation (MR) in 62 consecutive patients (38 men and 24 women, aged 39 to 80 years) with angiographically proven chronic pure MR (15 grade I/II, 47 grade III/IV). Twenty patients were examined before cardiac surgery under general anesthesia. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of systolic pulmonary venous flow reversal for the presence of grade III/IV MR were 87%, 93%, 98%, and 64%, respectively, these were for jet areas > or = 8.

Laparoscopic Two-Team Sling for Stress Urinary Incontinence.

The two-team sling procedure is recommended for women with recurrent stress urinary incontinence (SUI), particularly those with low urethral pressures. These procedures have been performed for 20 years using a combined abdominovaginal approach and Marlex mesh. From July 1993 to February 1996, 100 cases of laparoscopic two-team procedures were performed using both extraperitoneal and intraperitoneal approaches.

The cost-effectiveness of laparoscopic versus abdominal Burch procedures in women with urinary stress incontinence.

Study Objective: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of laparoscopic versus abdominal Burch procedures in women with urinary stress incontinence (USI).

Design: A historical cohort with a minimum follow-up of 1 year.

Setting: Two tertiary, university-affiliated referral centers.

Beta adrenergic blockade in the treatment of sustained ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation.

The value of beta-blockers as antiarrhythmic drugs in patients with sustained VT or VF has received only little attention. This article summarizes the current state of knowledge regarding the identification of patients with sustained VT or VF with the highest benefit of beta-blockade. The antiarrhythmic mechanisms of beta-blockade and its efficacy as single or adjuvant therapy in patients with sustained VT or VF are reviewed.

Angina pectoris refractory for conventional therapy--is neurostimulation a possible alternative treatment?

The treatment of angina pectoris as a symptom of coronary artery disease usually is focused on restoring the balance between oxygen demand and supply of the myocardium by administration of drugs interfering in heart rate, cardiac pre- and afterload, and coronary vascular tone. For nonresponders to drug therapy or for those with jeopardized myocardium, revascularization procedures such as coronary bypass surgery and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty are at hand. However, the atherosclerotic process is not stopped by these therapies and, at longer terms, angina may recur.

Alteration of peripheral vasodilatory reserve capacity after cardioversion of atrial fibrillation.

In atrial fibrillation, exercise capacity is often reduced. This is usually ascribed to a decreased cardiac output as compared with sinus rhythm. Very few studies, however, have focused on changes in the peripheral blood flow during atrial fibrillation as a potential mechanism for exercise limitation.

Deep seating of six French guiding catheters for delivery of new Palmaz-Schatz stents.

The delivery of new Palmaz-Schatz stents in native coronary arteries can be facilitated by using the technique of deep seating of a 6 French guiding catheter. Two patient histories are described to illustrate this new technique.