Valvular heart disease by transthoracic echocardiography is associated with focal brain injury and central neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus.

Background: Previous studies using transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) report an association of valvular heart disease (VHD) with cerebral infarcts and central neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE). However, TEE cannot be routinely used.

Aim: To determine if VHD detected by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is associated with focal brain injury on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and secondarily with central NPSLE.

Valvular heart disease is associated with nonfocal neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus.

Background: Central nonfocal neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) manifests as cognitive dysfunction, acute confusional state, seizures, and psychosis. Valvular heart disease (VHD) is currently not a causal consideration of nonfocal NPSLE.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine whether VHD is associated with nonfocal NPSLE.

Valvular heart disease as a cause of cerebrovascular disease in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Thirty-seven patients with systemic lupus erythematosus underwent complete clinical and laboratory evaluations, including antiphospholipid antibodies and lupus anticoagulant, magnetic resonance imaging of the brain, and transesophageal echocardiography. Cerebrovascular disease manifested as stroke, transient ischemic attack, or cerebral infarcts in patients with nonfocal neurologic deficits was detected in 19 patients (51%), and significant left-sided valvular heart disease in 25 (68%). Valve vegetations, valve thickening, valve regurgitation, and lupus anticoagulant antibody occurred 2 to 3 times more often in patients with than without cerebrovascular disease (all p < or =0.

Prevalence of heart disease in asymptomatic chronic cocaine users.

To determine the prevalence of heart disease in outpatient young asymptomatic chronic cocaine users, 35 cocaine users and 32 age-matched controls underwent resting and exercise electrocardiography (ECG) and Doppler echocardiography. Findings consistent with coronary artery disease were detected in 12 (34%) patients and 3 (9%) controls (p = 0.01).

Valve excrescences: prevalence, evolution and risk for cardioembolism.

Objectives: We sought to determine prospectively the prevalence, evolution and embolic risk of valve excrescences in normal subjects and patients with and without suspected cardioembolism.

Background: Valve excrescences detected by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) have been considered a cardioembolic substrate in selected patients.

Methods: Ninety healthy volunteers (Group I) and 88 patients without suspected cardioembolism and a normal TEE (Group II) were studied and followed up clinically for 58 +/- 21 and 48 +/- 20 months, respectively.