Mitral valve repair in rheumatics: Is it still worthwhile?

Prosthetic valve replacement in young patients carries increased morbidity and mortality, even with recent types and models of prostheses. Fortunately, rheumatic mitral regurgitation in this young population group is amenable to repair, although the results are less favourable than those observed with other types of mitral valve disease and in older populations. A better knowledge of the pathology and evolution of repair techniques has improved results. Hence mitral valve repair is still worthwhile, even in rheumatic pathology and, the percentage of valves repaired, increases with the experience and the will of the surgeon to preserve the valve. Mitral valve replacement can only be justified when good repair is not feasible. It is vital that the surgeon has adequate experience which can only be gained by exposure to enough patients with this condition. Most of these patients are in developing countries and hampered by socio-economic conditions – which means 1st World surgeons get limited required exposure

Anuloplastia mitral com tira de pericárdio bovino resultados de 18 anos

PURPOSE: Prosthetic annuloplasty rings are currently used in mitral reconstruction. Posterior annuloplasty with a bovine pericardial strip is a technique largely used in the Heart Institute of University of São Paulo Medical School. The purpose of the study was to analyze the late results of mitral valve repair with posterior annuloplasty using a bovine pericardial strip. METHODS: Between January 1984 and December 2002, 273 patients underwent mitral valve repair with posterior pericardial annuloplasty in the Heart Institute of University of São Paulo Medical School. One hundred and forty four (52.7%) were women and ages ranged between 1 and 76 years (38.3 ± 21.1). Rheumatic fever was present in 52.0% of the patients. Associated techniques were employed in 26.0% of the patients, and the most frequent was chordal shortening (9.2%). RESULTS: Hospital mortality was 3.3% (9 patients), with the major cause being low cardiac output (6 patients). Actuarial survival was 55.1% ± 16.8% in 18 years. During the 18-year follow-up: patients were free from the following: reoperation (59.1% ±± 13.9%, (percent +/- Standard Error), thromboembolism (97.4% ± 2.3%), hemolysis (99.2% ± 0.2%), and endocarditis (99.6% ± 1.0%). In the late follow-up period, 83.9% were classified as New York Heart Association functional class I. CONCLUSIONS: Late results with mitral valve repair with posterior annuloplasty using a bovine pericardial strip were satisfactory. The technique is feasible, reproducible, and cost effective.OBJETIVO: Anéis protéticos para anuloplastia são usados nas plásticas da valva mitral de forma rotineira. A anuloplastia posterior com tira de pericárdio bovino é uma técnica largamente utilizada no Instituto do Coração - HC - FMUSP. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar os resultados tardios da plástica da valva mitral com a utilização desta técnica na nossa instituição. MÉTODOS: Entre janeiro de 1984 e dezembro de 2002, 273 pacientes foram submetidos a plástica da valva mitral com anuloplastia posterior no Instituto do Coração. Foram excluídos os pacientes submetidos a outros procedimentos no anel posterior. Cento e quarenta e quatro (52,7%) eram do sexo feminino e a idade variou entre 1 e 76 anos (média: 38,3 ± 21,1 anos). Em 52% dos pacientes, havia história de febre reumática. Técnicas associadas para reconstrução valvar foram empregadas em 26% dos casos, sendo a mais utilizada, o encurtamento de cordas (9,2%). RESULTADOS: A mortalidade hospitalar foi de 3,3% (9 casos). A principal causa de óbito foi baixo débito cardíaco (6 pacientes). A sobrevida actuarial foi de 55,1 ± 16,8% (percent +/- Standard Error) em 18 anos, sobrevida livre de reoperação, tromboembolismo, hemólise e endocardite foram respectivamente de 59,1 ± 13,9%, 97,4 ± 2,3%, 99,2 ± 0,2%, 99,6 ± 1,0% em 18 anos. No seguimento tardio, 83,9% dos pacientes se encontravam em classe funcional I (NYHA). CONCLUSÕES: Concluímos que os resultados tardios foram satisfatórios. A técnica é fácil, reprodutível e de baixo custo

Impact of the number of comorbidities on cardiac sympathetic derangement in patients with reduced ejection fraction heart failure

Introduction Heart failure (HF) is frequently associated with comorbidities. 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (123I-mIBG) imaging constitutes an effective tool to measure cardiac adrenergic innervation and to improve prognostic stratification in HF patients, including the risk of major arrhythmic events. Although comorbidities have been individually associated with reduced cardiac adrenergic innervation, thus suggesting increased arrhythmic risk, very comorbid HF patients seem to be less likely to experience fatal arrhythmias. We evaluated the impact of the number of comorbidities on cardiac adrenergic innervation, assessed through 123I-mIBG imaging, in patients with systolic HF. Methods Patients with systolic HF underwent clinical examination, transthoracic echocardiography and cardiac 123I-mIBG scintigraphy. The presence of 7 comorbidities/conditions (smoking, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes mellitus, peripheral artery disease, atrial fibrillation, chronic ischemic heart disease and chronic kidney disease) was documented in the overall study population. Results The study population consisted of 269 HF patients with a mean age of 66±11 years, a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 31±7%, and 153 (57%) patients presented ≥3 comorbidities. Highly comorbid patients presented a reduced late heart to mediastinum (H/M) ratio, while no significant differences emerged in terms of early H/M ratio and washout rate. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the number of comorbidities was not associated with mIBG parameters of cardiac denervation, which were correlated with age, body mass index and LVEF. Conclusion In systolic HF patients, the number of comorbidities is not associated with alterations in cardiac adrenergic innervation. These results are consistent with the observation that very comorbid HF patients suffer lower risk of sudden cardiac death

Comparison of indapamide and low-dose hydrochlorothiazide monotherapy in black patients with mild to moderate hypertension

No Abstract

The second Euro Heart Survey on acute coronary syndromes: characteristics, treatment, and outcome of patients with ACS in Europe and the Mediterranean Basin in 2004

Aims Our study aimed to examine the management of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) in Europe and the Mediterranean basin, and to compare adherence to guidelines with that reported in the first Euro Heart Survey on ACS (EHS-ACS-I), 4 years earlier. Methods and results In a prospective survey conducted in 2004 (EHS-ACS-II), data describing the characteristics, treatment, and outcome of 6385 patients diagnosed with ACS in 190 medical centres in 32 countries were collected. ACS with ST-elevation was the initial diagnosis in 47% of patients, no ST-elevation in 48%, and undetermined electrocardiographic pattern in 5% of patients. Comparison of data collected in 2000 and 2004 showed similar baseline characteristics, but greater use of recommended medications and coronary interventions in EHS-ACS-II. Among patients with ST-elevation, the use of primary reperfusion increased slightly (from 56 to 64%), with a significant shift from fibrinolytic therapy to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). The use of PPCI rose from 37 to 59% among those undergoing primary reperfusion therapy. Analysis of data in 34 centres that participated in both surveys showed even greater improvement with respect to the use of recommended medical therapy, interventions, and outcome. Conclusion Data from EHS-ACS-II suggest an increase in adherence to guidelines for treatment of ACS in comparison with EHS-ACS-I

Widespread depolarization during expiration: A source of respiratory drive?

Respiration influences various pacemakers and rhythms of the body during inspiration and expiration but the underlying mechanisms are relatively unknown. Understanding this phenomenon is important, as breathing disorders, breath holding, and hyperventilation can lead to significant medical conditions. We discuss the physiological modulation of heart rhythm, blood pressure, sympathetic nerve activity, EEG, and other changes observed during inspiration and expiration. We also correlate the intracellular mitochondrial respiratory metabolic processes with real-time breathing and correlate membrane potential changes with inspiration and expiration. We propose that widespread minor hyperpolarization occurs during inspiration and widespread minor depolarization occurs during expiration. This depolarization is likely a source of respiratory drive. Further knowledge of intracellular and extracellular ionic changes associated with respiration will enhance our understanding of respiration and its role as a modulator of cellular membrane potential. This could expand treatment options for a wide range of health conditions, such as breathing disorders, stress-related disorders, and further our understanding of the Hering–Breuer reflex and respiratory sinus arrhythmia