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The ischemic mitral regurgitation is defined by a left ventricular muscle disease affecting the function of normal mitral valve leaflets. This kind of mitral regurgitation is founded in about 20% of the ischemic cardiomyopathy and is attributed to the remodelling of the left ventricular shape. Its development is associated to a significantly worse prognosis. Frequently this ischemic mitral regurgitation will be associated to episode of acute heart failure decompensation. Its diagnosis is sometimes challenging as the degree of regurgitation might be extremely variable and affected by loading conditions. Echocardiography and especially exercise stress echocardiography has been demonstrated as an extremely powerful tool for its diagnosis and the prognostic evaluation. Its treatment should include the pharmacological treatment of the chonic heart failure and we are still waiting data in regard to the prognostic role of surgical mitral valvuloplastie. Works are still ongoing.

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Cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) is indicated in refractory cardiac failure with electrical asynchrony defined by QRS complexes > or =120 ms duration. The search for mechanical asynchrony is proposed for better selection of patients for CRT. Ischaemic and non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy do not necessarily show the same form of asynchrony. The authors studied the differences in correlation between electrical and mechanical asynchrony in these two patient populations. Fifty patients (34 dilated non-ischaemic and 16 ischaemic cardiomyopathy) in NYHA Classes III and IV, LVEF < 35%, consecutively implanted for CRT in 2004, were included. The trans-thoracic echocardiography, the ECG and clinical parameters (NYHA, 6 minute walk test, VO2 max) were compared. A non-significant improvement of the correlation between the aortic pre-ejection time and QRS duration was observed in the non-ischaemic group (r = 0.78, p< 0.0001) compared with the ischaemic cardiomyopathy group ( r = 0.56, p = 0.019). Similarly, intraventricular asynchrony seemed to be correlated with the duration of QRS in the non-ischaemic group (r = 0.65, p < 0.0001) unlike the ischaemic cardiomyopathy group (ns). Sub-group analysis of patients with QRS durations < 150 ms and > or =150 ms showed an electromechanical correlation irrespective of the QRS duration in the non-ischaemic group but this was only observed with the aortic pre-ejection time with QRS > or =150 ms in the ischaemic group. The authors conclude that there is a significant correlation between electrical and mechanical asynchrony in patients with non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy. This correlation only applies to intraventricular asynchrony with QRS durations > or =150 ms in the ischaemic group. A decision for CRT requires echocardiographic evaluation in ischaemic cardiomyopathy.

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OBJECTIVES: To identify predictors of operative and postoperative mortality and of functional reversibility after aortic valve replacement (AVR) in patients with aortic stenosis (AS) and severe left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction. METHODS AND RESULTS: Between 1990 and 2000, 155 consecutive patients (mean (SD) age 72 (9) years) in New York Heart Association (NYHA) heart failure functional class III or IV (n = 138) and with LV ejection fraction (LVEF) < or = 30% underwent AVR for critical AS (mean (SD) valve area index 0.35 (0.09) cm2/m2). Thirty day mortality was 12%. NYHA class (3.7 (0.6) v 3.2 (0.7), p = 0.004), cardiothoracic ratio (CTR) (0.63 (0.07) v 0.56 (0.06), p < 0.0001), pulmonary artery systolic pressure (63 (25) v 50 (19) mm Hg, p = 0.03), and prevalence of complete left bundle branch block (22% v 8%, p = 0.03) and of renal insufficiency (p = 0.001) were significantly higher in 18 non-survivors than in 137 survivors. In multivariate analysis, the only independent predictor of operative mortality was a CTR > or = 0.6 (odds ratio (OR) 12.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) 5.4 to 27.4, p = 0.002). The difference between preoperative and immediate postoperative LVEF (early-DeltaEF) was > 10 ejection fraction units (EFU) in 55 survivors. In multivariate analysis, CTR (OR 5.95, 95% CI 3.0 to 11.6, p = 0.006) and mean transaortic gradient (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.0 to 1.1, p < 0.05) were independent predictors of an early-DeltaEF > 10 EFU. During a mean (SD) follow up of 4.6 (3) years, 50 of 137 (36%) 30 day survivors died, 31 of non-cardiac causes. Diabetes (OR 3.8, 95% CI 2.4 to 6.0, p = 0.003), age > or = 75 years (OR 2.6, 95% CI 2.1 to 4.5, p = 0.004), and early-DeltaEF < or = 10 EFU (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.94 to 0.97, p = 0.01) were independent predictors of long term mortality. Among 127 survivors, the percentage of patients in NYHA functional class III or IV decreased from 89% preoperatively to 3% at one year. The decrease in functional class was significantly greater in patients with an early-DeltaEF > 10 EFU than patients with an early-DeltaEF < or = 10 EFU (p = 0.02). In addition, the mean (SD) LVEF at one year was 53 (11)% in patients with an early-DeltaEF > 10 EFU and 42 (11)% in patients with early-DeltaEF < or = 10 EFU (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Despite a relatively high operative mortality, AVR for AS and severely depressed LVEF was beneficial in the majority of patients. Early postoperative recovery of LV function was associated with significantly greater relief of symptoms and longer survival.

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Transoesophageal echocardiography has shown a high incidence on non-obstructive thrombosis after mitral valve replacement with a mechanical prosthesis. The unpredictable outcome and the period during which the complication arises make treatment difficult. The aim of this study was to assess the tolerance and efficacy of the association of long-term heparin and oral anticoagulation, as recommended in this indication. All patients undergoing mitral valve replacement with a mechanical prosthesis between June 1999 and July 2001 were systematically included and studied by transoesophageal echocardiography in the immediate postoperative period. Those with non-obstructive thrombosis at least 5 mm in size were treated by heparin and oral coagulation until the thrombus disappeared on transoesophageal echocardiography. One hundred and fourteen patients undergoing 120 mitral valve replacements (6 reoperations) underwent transoesophageal echocardiography and non-obstructive thrombi measuring at least 5 mm were found on 26 occasions (21.7%). The association of heparin and oral coagulation was maintained for 7 to 115 days (average 20 days). No thromboembolic or haemorrhagic complications and no deaths were observed during this period. Two patients were treated with danaparoid and oral anticoagulation because of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia before the diagnosis. None of the patients died during follow-up (average 49 months); there were 4 recurrent non-obstructive thromboses, three of which were complicated by thromboembolic events with no sequellae in the first 8 months, again treated effectively with the association of heparin and oral anticoagulants; two cerebral embolic events without sequellae were observed without a demonstrable non-obstructive thrombus on transoesophageal echocardiography. The authors conclude that the association of heparin and oral anticoagulants seems well tolerated and effective in this small population and this would justify a large scale clinical trial.

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Since its introduction in cardiac failure in 1994, biventricular cardiac stimulation has been widely applied with many clinical trials and the development of new specific technology. The authors present the results observed in the first 125 consecutively implanted patients at the Rennes University Hospital. After a mean follow-up of 22 months, the mortality rate was 40%. The causes of death were sudden death in 42% of patients, progression of cardiac failure in 34% and non-cardiac in 24%. The functional benefits of biventricular cardiac stimulation were seen through significant improvement in HYHA Class, 3.3 +/- 0.5 before implantation to 2.3 +/- 0.8 at the end of follow-up, and by a significant increase of 40% of peak VO2 and of maximal duration of exercise. With the learning curve and development of new technology, the left ventricular catheterisation via a coronary sinus vein, increased from 56% to over 95% during the last two years with an acceptable rate of complications. These results, with the reserve of not being a controlled trial, show the feasibility, safety and efficacy of biventricular cardiac stimulation in terms of functional benefit. Clinical trials are currently underway to assess the impact of this method on morbi-mortality and to assess the concept in association with ventricular defibrillation.

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Aortic stenosis (AS) is the most common lesion currently encountered among valvular heart disease, particularly in elderly people. Severe functional impairment and risk of sudden death explain that surgical treatment is largely accepted. We report a retrospective analysis of institutional experience with aortic valve replacement (AVR) for AS from 1971-1997 in 4,129 patients. Age ranged from 13 to 91 years (mean 68 +/- 10) and degenerative disease was largely predominant (86%). For AVR, mechanical prostheses were used in 2,054 patients (50.2%) and bioprostheses in 2,075 (48.8%) in elderly group. Coronary artery revascularization was associated in 670 patients (16%). Operative mortality was 7% (303 pts) and main cause was left ventricular failure (52%). Late results were studied with a maximum follow-up of 26 years. Total follow-up represents 21,533 pt-years. Late death occurred in 1,108 patients between 1 month and 24 years after operation (mean 6.6 years). Reoperation was necessary in 136 cases. Actuarial survival--including operative mortality--was 77% and 56% at 5 and 10 years. A large functional improvement was observed in the vast majority of patients, 73% being I or II subgroups of the NYHA classification. Incremental risk factors for death (immediate as well as late) were older age, preoperative functional status, emergency, presence of cardiac failure, coronary artery lesions and associated morbidity. The choice of valvular prosthesis remains controversial, but the results show that AVR is the procedure of choice for the vast majority of patients wtih significant aortic valve disease.

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Biventricular pacing has recently been proposed for treating patients with drug refractory heart failure and intraventricular conduction delay. The purpose is to restore ventricular relaxation and contraction sequences as homogeneously as possible. The aim of this study was to determine if some factors could predict the long-term clinical effectiveness of that new treatment. This study included 26 patients, aged 66 +/- 7 years, with drug refractory heart failure and wide QRS. Patients were implanted with a biventricular pacemaker. The left ventricle was paced through a coronary sinus tributary. New York Heart Association functional class, exercise tolerance, and left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction were collected at baseline and after pacemaker implantation. Patients were divided into 2 groups: group I = responders; group II = nonresponders. QRS duration and axis at baseline and during biventricular pacing, interventricular conduction time, and LV and right ventricular lead positions were compared between the 2 groups. Group I patients (n = 19) had a mean reduction of 1.3 in functional class and an increase in peak oxygen consumption rate by a mean of 50%. The only parameter that differed between the 2 groups was the QRS duration during biventricular pacing, with a significantly shorter value in group I than in group II (154 +/- 17 vs 177 +/- 26 ms; p = 0.016). Thus, a positive response to biventricular pacing is correlated with the quality of electrical resynchronization. The optimal positions of the right and LV leads would be those that could induce the greatest shortening of QRS duration.

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OBJECTIVE: To compare transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography (TTE, TOE) in patients with permanent pacemaker lead infection and to evaluate the safety of medical extraction in cases of large vegetations. METHODS: TTE and TOE were performed in 23 patients with definite pacemaker lead infection. Seventeen patients without previous infection served as a TOE reference for non-infected leads. RESULTS: TTE was positive in seven cases (30%) whereas with TOE three different types of vegetations attached to the leads were visualised in 21 of the 23 cases (91%). Of the 20 patients with vegetations and lead culture, 17 (85%) had bacteriologically active infection. Left sided valvar endocarditis was diagnosed in two patients. In the control group, strands were visualised by TOE in five patients, and vegetations in none. Medical extraction of vegetations >/= 10 mm was performed in 12 patients and was successful in nine (75%) without clinical pulmonary embolism. After 31.2 (19.1) months of follow up (mean (SD)), all patients except one were cured of infection; three died from other causes. CONCLUSIONS: Combined with bacteriological data, vegetations seen on TOE strongly suggest pacemaker lead infection. Normal TTE examinations do not exclude this diagnosis because of its poor sensitivity. Medical extraction of even large vegetations appeared to be safe.

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AIMS: To assess the effects of chronic dual-chamber pacing on mitral regurgitation in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty-three patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy and mitral regurgitation. treated with DDD pacing for 16 +/- 14 months, were included in the study. Mitral regurgitation was assessed by Doppler-echocardiography using semi-quantitative analysis (grades I-IV) and by measuring the maximum regurgitant jet area/left atrial area ratio. At the end of follow-up, DDD pacing reduced the outflow gradient from 93 +/- 37 mmHg to 31 +/- 30 mmHg (P<0.0001). Nine of the 14 patients who initially had > or =grade II mitral regurgitation improved by at least one grade, two of them exhibiting dramatic improvement (from grade IV and III to grade I). The regurgitant jet area/left atrial area ratio was reduced with DDD pacing from 20 +/- 13% to 11 +/- 6% (P<0.0001). Patients who had significant mitral regurgitation despite pacing were those whose outflow gradient remained high or those with mitral valve organic abnormalities (mitral annulus calcification or mitral valve prolapse). In the absence of organic abnormalities other than leaflet elongation, there was a significant correlation between the gradient value achieved with DDD pacing and the extent of mitral regurgitation (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: In the absence of organic mitral valve abnormalities, DDD pacing reduces in parallel mitral regurgitation and left ventricular outflow gradient. In such patients therefore, significant mitral regurgitation is not a contraindication to pacing.

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OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the long-term functional and hemodynamic effects of right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) pacing by comparison with right ventricular apical (RVA) pacing. BACKGROUND: Acute studies have suggested that RVOT pacing could significantly improve cardiac performance in comparison with RVA pacing but no data are available in chronically implanted patients. METHODS: Sixteen patients with chronic atrial tachyarrhythmia and complete AV block were included. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was > or =40% in ten and <40% in six. Patients were implanted with a standard DDDR pacemaker connected to two ventricular leads. A screw-in lead was placed at the RVOT and connected to the atrial port. A second lead was positioned at the RVA and connected to the ventricular port. Right ventricular outflow tract and RVA pacing was achieved by programming either the AAIR or the VVIR mode respectively. Four months later patients were randomized so as to undergo either RVOT or RVA pacing for three months according to a blind crossover protocol. Apart from the pacing mode, programming remained unchanged throughout the study. At the end of each period, NYHA class, LVEF, exercise time and maximal oxygen uptake were assessed. RESULTS: No significant difference was observed between the two modes for all the parameters analyzed. These identical results were observed in all patients globally, in patients with LVEF > or =40% as in those with LVEF <40%. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limits of this study, no symptomatic improvement or hemodynamic benefit was noted after three months of RVOT pacing, by comparison with RVA pacing.

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Contrary to the ventricle where pacing leads remain passively implanted, the use of active screw-in atrial pacing leads has rapidly developed during the last few years. This type of fixation in a thin and fragile cardiac wall carries a risk of perforation and thereby of pericardial complications. The authors report three original cases of a period of time. The responsibility of the atrial lead was highly probable given the presence of suggestive symptoms (pericardial pain) or of pericardial complications confirmed at surgery, of the presence of radiological changes in 2 cases (localised bulges of the cardiac silhouette opposite the site of implantation of the pacing lead), the absence of any other detectable cause and, finally, cure after explantation of the causal pacing lead and anti-inflammatory drug therapy. Some simple preventive measures based on the properties of the material (screw length < 2 mm), the technique of implantation, should help avoid these complications or, at least, to reduce their frequency.

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The prevalence of infection of permanent pacing material ranges from 0.13 to 19.9% of patients according to published series. The seriousness of this condition requires early diagnosis and treatment. Transesophageal echocardiography visualised vegetations on the intracardiac pacing lead in all of 11 patients studied, whereas transthoracic echocardiography and polynuclear leucocyte scintigraphy only provided positive diagnoses in 4 cases for each investigation. Three types of vegetation were visualised; no cases of tricuspid valve endocarditis were observed. Treatment was based on explantation of all implanted material by endovascular traction in 7 cases and by surgery in the other 4 cases according to the results of transesophageal echocardiography. There were no deaths or recurrence of infection. Transesophageal echocardiography is the investigation of choice for imaging a vegetation on an endocavitary pacing lead. Complete explanation is essential for a complete recovery of this infection.

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The authors report the case of a patient with a large mass in the right ventricle which was a tuberculoma without pulmonary disease. The severity of the right ventricular obstruction required surgical intervention with quadri-antitubercular therapy. Myocardial tuberculomas are very rare and usually reported as post-mortem findings. Only four cases resulting in cure have been previously reported. Current means of investigation such as echocardiography and endomyocardial biopsy allow rapid diagnosis of these tumours and should lead to better medical management with possible surgical intervention and a higher therapeutic success rate.

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This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of permanent dual-chamber cardiac pacing in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy resistant to medication, paying particular attention to atrioventricular synchrony. Sixteen patients, mean age 59 +/- 13 years (range 36 to 80 years) were divided into two groups after in initial catheter study performed under temporary VDD pacing between March 1990 and April 1993. In group I (n = 11), the gradient was decreased by more than 50% whereas in group II (n = 5), the gradient was unchanged or reduced by less than 50%. The reduction of the gradient was immediately significant in group I, the mean value falling from 104 +/- 33 mmHg (range 60 to 170 mmHg) to 25 +/- 13 mmHg (range 10 to 60 mmHg) (p < 0.0001). In group II, the gradient only decreased initially from 132 +/- 13 mmHg (range 120 to 150 mmHg) to 88 +/- 25 mmHg (range 50 to 130 mmHg) (p < 0.003) but improved atrioventricular synchrony, obtained secondarily either by pharmacological prolongation of the PR interval (association of betablocker and verapamil) or by ablation of the atrioventricular junction, improved the haemodynamic benefits. The residual gradient recorded on the 7th day was only 26 +/- 15 mmHg (range 10 to 50 mmHg) (p < 0.0001). The comparison of the two populations showed that the mean PR interval was shorter in group II (p < 0.016) and the mean value of the optimal AV Delay (the longest AV Delay with complete ventricular capture) was also lower (p = 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

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BACKGROUND: Aortic stenosis is the most common valvular lesion occurring among elderly patients and has become extremely frequent because of changing demographics in industrialized countries. Surgical risk after the age of 70 has increased. The increasing older age of patients having surgery justifies an analysis of mortality predictive factors. METHODS AND RESULTS: Between 1976 and February 1993, we performed 2871 operations for aortic stenosis. This study concerns 675 patients (278 men and 397 women) who were > or = 75 years old. Mean age was 78.5 +/- 3 years. Associated lesions were found in 226 patients. A bioprosthesis was implanted in 632 patients (93.6%). Concomitant surgical procedures were performed in 133 patients. Surgical mortality was 12.4% (84 deaths). A longitudinal analysis has been carried out over four successive time periods to evaluate population evolution during these 17 years. Statistical analysis was performed on 46 variables. Multivariate analysis found age (P < .0001), left ventricular failure (P < .0001), lack of sinus rhythm (P < .01), and emergency status (P < .02) to be presurgical independent predictive factors of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Risk-reducing strategy should both favor relatively early surgery to avoid cardiac failure and emergency situations and pay careful attention to the use of myocardial protection and cardiopulmonary bypass. Indications for surgery should remain broad since analysis failed to determine specific high-risk groups to be eliminated, and surgery remains the only treatment for aortic stenosis.

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The authors report the case of a chance echocardiographic finding of a tricuspid valve myxoma. Transesophageal echocardiography provided valuable complementary information concerning the precise location of the tumour. Tricuspid valve myxoma is a very rare condition: a review of the literature recensed 16 other cases. This case is of particular interest because of the associated pathological signs: erythemato-papular skin lesions which regresses after ablation of the tumour and a multinodular goitre with a cold isthmic nodule which raised the possibility of the diagnosis of Carney's complex.

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Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathies of the right ventricle (ACRV) are defined by an association of left delayed type ventricular arrhythmias, ranging from apparently uncomplicated extrasystoles to more severe or even potentially lethal arrhythmias such as polymorphous VT and ventricular fibrillation, with an anatomical substrate consisting of adipose or fibro-adipose degeneration of the myocytes of the free wall of the ventricle, which may be either focal (in particular: apex, anterior surface of the infundibulum and the sub-tricuspid region), or more diffuse. It is then accompanied by RV systolic dysfunction with dilatation of the cavity. This apparently well defined clinico-pathological entity is in fact more complex, if only because of the existence of associated lesions of the left ventricle in 1/3 of cases. The distinction from Uhl disease remains blurred, in particular in diffuse forms. It is most probable that more than one etiology is involved. A dysgenetic mechanism with probable autosomal dominant transmission has apparently been shown in familiar forms which are associated with a particularly severe risk of progression. The hypothesis of sequelae of multifocal myocarditis appears to be the most probable in sporadic forms. In the absence of histological criteria, which it is difficult to demand in view of the variability of results and potential dangers of endomyocardial biopsy involving such thin and fragile ventricular walls, the diagnosis of ACRV is based upon the concomitant existence of: (1) electrophysiological criteria: ventricular arrhythmias, in particular sustained monomorphous VT, with the particular feature of a very high degree of sensitivity to adrenergic stimulation (exercise), the existence of late potentials on the high amplification ECG, a highly specific sign, though unfortunately of poor sensitivity in localized froms, those which are most difficult to identify (2); segmentary morphological and kinetic RV abnormalities, most often resulting in localized akinetic or dyskinetic parietal vaulting, with stasis "in situ". Modern imaging methods (echocardiography, angioscintigraphy with phase analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance imaging, etc.) unfortunately do not yet offer an alternative to selective cineangiography of the RV which is the reference investigation when it is performed and interpreted under strict conditions. Several reports of sudden death or of ventricular fibrillation seen in confirmed cases of ACRV, as well as the publication of a number of autopsy registers indicating that this condition is one of the primary causes of sudden death in young individuals and in athletes, have cast doubt on the benign prognosis initially attributed to this condition.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

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