[Cardiac erethism].

Cardiac erethism is a state of hyperexcitability of the heart. It results in hyperpulsatility, which is characterized by an ample pulse, an accentuation of heart sounds on auscultation, and an exaggeration of heart movements on echocardiography. While it can be very troublesome, cardiac erethism has no pathological significance.

Identification of cardiac repercussions after intense and prolonged concentric isokinetic exercise in young sedentary people.

Introduction: Cardiopathies are the world's leading cause of mortality and morbidity. Although rare, cardiovascular accidents can occur during intense and infrequent sporting activity, particularly among those who are unaware of their heart condition. The development of cardiospecific biochemical markers has led to a reconsideration of the role of biology in the diagnosis of cardiovascular illnesses.

Myocardial contractile reserve during exercise predicts left ventricular reverse remodelling after cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Aims: Lack of response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) may be due to the presence of significant amount of scar or fibrotic tissue at myocardial level. This study sought to investigate the potential impact of myocardial contractile reserve as assessed during exercise echocardiography on left ventricular (LV) reverse remodelling (decrease in LV end-systolic volume > or =15% after 6 months of CRT).

Methods And Results: Fifty-one consecutive patients with heart failure underwent exercise Doppler echocardiography before CRT implantation to assess global contractile reserve and local contractile reserve (assessed by two-dimensional speckle tracking) in the region of the LV pacing lead.

Impact of contractile reserve on acute response to cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Background: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) provides benefit for congestive heart failure, but still 30% of patients failed to respond to such therapy. This lack of response may be due to the presence of significant amount of scar or fibrotic tissue at myocardial level. This study sought to investigate the potential impact of myocardial contractile reserve as assessed during exercise echocardiography on acute response following CRT implantation.

Effect of cardiac resynchronization therapy on functional mitral regurgitation in heart failure.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) reduces functional mitral regurgitation (MR) at rest. This study assessed exercise-induced changes in MR in patients with heart failure who were helped by CRT. The determinants of these exercise-induced changes in MR were analyzed in asynchronous and resynchronized left ventricles.