Percutaneous Mitral Commissurotomy in Patients with Calcific Mitral Stenosis

Objective: the study evaluated the clinical and echocardiographic data, before and after percutaneous mitral commissurotomy (PMC) in patients with calcific mitral stenosis.nbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbsp Materials and methods: this is a retrospective study of 215 patients divided into two groups: 148 patients with calcific mitral stenosis (Group 1), and 67 patients without mitral calcifications (Group 2). The study period is between January 2011 to July 2015.Results: the group 1 was significantly older than the group 2 (49,7plusmn12,2 (group 1) versus 42,7plusmn12,8(group 2) , plt0,001), and had significantly more men than women (female gender:75% in group 1 vs.88,1% in group 2, plt0,05). Before PMC: group 1 had significantly higher Wilkins (9,3plusmn0,8(group 1) vs. 8,5plusmn0,6 (group 2)nbspnbsp p lt0,001) and smaller mitral valve area (0,91plusmn0,20 (group1)nbsp vs.0,99plusmn0,20 ( group 2), plt0,05). After PMC: the final valve area was significantly smaller in patients with, than, without calcifications (2,10plusmn0,26 vs.2,20plusmn0,22nbsp plt0,05). However , the rate of good immediate results, defined as valve area ge1,5 cmsup2 with no mitral regurgitation gt2/4 ( 97,9%vs.100% , pgt 0,05), and the rate of post PMC mitral regurgitation (MRge3/4) (2% vs.0% , pgt0,05), were no different between the 2 groups.Conclusion: PMC can be used for the treatment of patients with calcific mitral stenosis safety, with good immediate results.nbsp nbs

Atteinte cardiaque au cours de la dystrophie myotonique de Steinert: Expérience marocaine, à propos de 18 cas

La maladie de Steinert ou dystrophie myotonique de type 1 (DM1) est une maladie génétique à transmission autosomique dominante caractériséepar une myotonie et une atteinte de plusieurs organes dont le coeur. L'atteinte cardiaque est la plus grave des atteintes systémiques puisqu'elleconditionne le pronostic vital. Ce travail a pour but de déterminer les anomalies cardiaques rencontrées au cours de la DM1 et de mettre enexergue l'intérêt d'un examen cardiaque rigoureux et régulier,  indépendamment de la sévérité de l'atteinte neuromusculaire, ainsi que l'apport des examens cardiaques complémentaires et notamment l'exploration électrophysiologique. 18 patients atteints de DM1 ont  bénéficiés d'une exploration cardiaque systématique. Il s'agit de 9 hommes et de 9 femmes, d'âge moyen de 41,8 +/- 16,2 ans. 66 p.100 des patients sont symptomatiques sur le plan cardiovasculaire. Les  anomalies électrocardiographiques sont dominées par un trouble de la conduction intraventriculaire dans 16 p.100 des cas et un BAV de 1er degré dans 16 p.100 des cas. L'Holter ECG objective une hyperexcitabilité à l'étage atrial et/ou ventriculaire dans 50p.100 des cas. L'ETT est normale chez 95 p.100 des patients. L'exploration électrophysiologique, réalisée chez 4 patients symptomatiques, a objectivé un bloc tronculaire dans un cas ayant conduit à l'implantation d'un PM double chambre. Un seul patient est décédé suite à une détresse respiratoire. Enfin, on n'a pas noté de corrélation entre l'atteinte cardiaque et neuromusculaire. Une exploration cardiaque est indispensable chez tout patient atteint de DM1, en dépit de l'absence de symptômes, et un bilan annuel minimal s'impose pour guetter un éventuel trouble rythmique et/ou conductif, fatal en l'absence de traitement adéquat

Clinical and molecular findings in a Moroccan family with Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome: a case report

Abstract Background Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome (Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man 220400) is a rare autosomal recessive cardioauditory ion channel disorder that affects 1/200,000 to 1/1,000,000 children. It is characterized by congenital profound bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, a long QT interval, ventricular tachyarrhythmias, and episodes of torsade de pointes on an electrocardiogram. Cardiac symptoms arise mostly in early childhood and consist of syncopal episodes during periods of stress, exercise, or fright and are associated with a high risk of sudden cardiac death. Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome is caused by homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations in KCNQ1 on 11p15.5 or KCNE1 on 1q22.1-q22.2. Case presentation We report the case of a 10-year-old Moroccan boy with congenital hearing loss and severely prolonged QT interval who presented with multiple episodes of syncope. His parents are first-degree cousins. We performed Sanger sequencing and identified a homozygous variant in KCNQ1 (c.1343dupC, p.Glu449Argfs*14). Conclusions The identification of the genetic substrate in this patient confirmed the clinical diagnosis of Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome and allowed us to provide him with appropriate management and genetic counseling to his family. In addition, this finding contributes to our understanding of genetic disease in the Moroccan population

Argan [Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels] oil

Argan oil is extracted from the kernels of Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels, a tree that almost exclusively grows endemically in southern Morocco. If argan oil was initia11y only known around its traditional production area, major efforts combining chemical, agronomic and human sciences have led to its international recognition and marketing. In addition, to ensure the sustainable production of a sufficient quantity of argan kernels, a vast and unprecedented program that led to the reforestation of large areas of drylands has been developed in Morocco. Therefore, argan oil production is considered as an economic and ecologic success. Edible argan oil is prepared by cold-pressing roasted argan kernels. Unroasted kernels afford an oil of cosmetic grade, showing a bitter taste. Both oils, which are not refined and are virgin oils, share a similar fatty acid content that includes oleic and linoleic acids as major components. Additiona11y, argan oil is rich in antioxidants. Together, these components likely contribute to the oil pharmacological properties that, in humans, traditionally included cardiovascular disease and skin protection. Recent scientific studies have greatly expanded the scope of these pharmacological activities. Argan oil is now rewarded with a "Geographic Indication" that certifies its exclusive and authentic Moroccan origin and the compliance with strict production rules. In addition, the quality of argan oil can nowadays be ascertained by using an array of physicochemica1 methods. By-products, generated in large quantity during argan oil production, are also finding promising development routes