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A Cequier

Publications and source records attributed to A Cequier.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Right ventricular outflow obstruction due to a giant pseudoaneurysm of the anterior descending coronary artery in a patient with Behçet's disease].

Giant pseudoaneurysms of coronary arteries in patients with Behçet's disease is a uncommon finding. It has been described exceptionally in the literature. We present a case of giant pseudoaneurysm of the left anterior descending coronary artery with obstruction of the right ventricular outflow in a patient with Behçet's disease. He improved after surgical resection and steroid treatment.

Adult↗

Predictive factors and long-term evolution of early endothelial dysfunction after cardiac transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Abnormal coronary vasomotion appears to be a common finding after heart transplantation (HTx). However, the pathophysiology and outcome of this functional disturbance remains poorly understood. Aims of the study were to determine the prevalence, predictive factors and long-term evolution of endothelial dysfunction after cardiac transplantation. METHODS: The endothelium-dependent coronary vasomotion of 50 patients, who showed angiographically normal coronary arteries, were studied early (at 3 +/- 1 months) and at follow-up (16 +/- 5 months) after HTx. Endothelial function was studied by selective infusion of serial doses of acetylcholine (ACh) (10(-8), 10(-7)and 10(-6) mol/l) in the left anterior descending coronary artery. Changes in mean luminal diameter after the infusion of each dose were evaluated by quantitative coronary angiography (QCA). RESULTS: At early study, 17 patients (34%) showed a vasoconstriction after maximal dose of ACh (-13.3 +/- 13%) indicative of endothelial dysfunction. Logistic regression analysis identified the following variables as independent predictors of early endothelial dysfunction: donor inotropic support (p = 0.004), female donor (p = 0.04) and rejection at the time of the study (p = 0.01). Forty-one patients were re-studied at follow-up. Nine of them (22%) presented endothelial dysfunction. Early endothelial dysfunction was restored in 6 patients (43%) at follow-up. The number of episodes of rejection was the only variable associated to late endothelial dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: Endothelial dysfunction is a common finding after cardiac transplantation. The pathogenesis of this functional disturbance appears to be donor-related and immune-mediated. The reversibility of this phenomenon observed at follow-up suggests the episodic nature of the immunologic injury.

Acetylcholine↗

Partial improvement in pulmonary function after successful percutaneous balloon mitral valvotomy.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to assess the changes in pulmonary function after a successful percutaneous balloon mitral valvotomy (PBMV) in 23 consecutive patients with symptomatic mitral stenosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: Lung function preprocedure and postprocedure were evaluated by spirometric flow, static pulmonary volumes, and diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO). At baseline, a reduction in small airways flow (maximal expiratory flow at 50% of vital capacity, 70 +/- 29% of predicted value; maximal expiratory flow at 25% of vital capacity, 55 +/- 26% of predicted value) and an increase in DLCO (118 +/- 29%) and Krough Index (KCO; 123 +/- 29% of predicted value) were observed. PBMV caused an improvement in hemodynamic parameters with an increase in mitral valve area (from 1.0 +/- 0.3 to 1.9 +/- 0.5 cm(2); p < 0.001) and a decrease in left atrial pressure (from 17 +/- 3 to 12 +/- 5 mm Hg; p < 0.001). These changes were associated with a significant increase in FVC (from 2.8 +/- 0.84 to 2.9 +/- 0.80 L; p < 0.05) and in FEV(1) (from 2.2 +/- 0.72 to 2.3 +/- 0.68 L; p < 0.05). A decrease in DLCO was observed after PBMV (from 26.7 +/- 7 to 22.5 +/- 5.4 mL/min/mm Hg; p < 0.001; and KCO, from 6.2 +/- 1.4 to 5.2 +/- 1.2 mL/min/mm Hg/L; p < 0.001). No significant changes in small airways flow were detected, suggesting only a partial improvement in pulmonary congestion. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the initial impairment of lung function in patients with symptomatic mitral stenosis is only partially ameliorated by PBMV.

Adult↗

Preserved endothelium-dependent vasodilation in coronary segments previously treated with balloon angioplasty and intracoronary irradiation.

BACKGROUND: Abnormal endothelium-dependent coronary vasomotion has been reported after balloon angioplasty (BA), as well as after intracoronary radiation. However, the long-term effect on coronary vasomotion is not known. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term vasomotion of coronary segments treated with BA and brachytherapy. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients with single de novo lesions treated either with BA followed by intracoronary beta-irradiation (according to the Beta Energy Restenosis Trial-1.5) or with BA alone were eligible. Of these groups, those patients in stable condition who returned for 6-month angiographic follow-up formed the study population (n=19, irradiated group and n=11, control group). Endothelium-dependent coronary vasomotion was assessed by selective infusion of serial doses of acetylcholine (ACh) proximally to the treated area. Mean luminal diameter was calculated by quantitative coronary angiography both in the treated area and in distal segments. Endothelial dysfunction was defined as a vasoconstriction after the maximal dose of ACh (10(-6) mol/L). Seventeen irradiated segments (89.5%) demonstrated normal endothelial function. In contrast, 10 distal nonirradiated segments (53%) and 5 control segments (45%) demonstrated endothelium-dependent vasoconstriction (-19+/-17% and -9.0+/-5%, respectively). Mean percentage of change in mean luminal diameter after ACh was significantly higher in irradiated segments (P=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Endothelium-dependent vasomotion of coronary segments treated with BA followed by beta-radiation is restored in the majority of stable patients at 6-month follow-up. This functional response appeared to be better than those documented both in the distal segments and in segments treated with BA alone.

Acetylcholine↗

[The Registry of the Activities of the Hemodynamics and Interventional Cardiology Section in 1998].

The results of the Spanish Registry of Hemodynamic and Interventional Cardiology of the Spanish Society of Cardiology in 1998 are hereby presented. The Registry collects the activity of 82 centers, which constitutes all the cardiac catheterization laboratories in Spain. The main activity was adult cardiac catheterization in 75 centers, and exclusively pediatric cardiac catheterization in 7. A total of 74,364 diagnostic catheterization procedures, 80% coronary angiographies (59,321; 1,498 per million inhabitants), were performed, which represents a 2.8% total increase compared to 1997. Coronary intervention increased by 8.6% compared to 1997, for a total number of 20,146 procedures. The ratio of coronary interventions per million inhabitants was 509. Success rates of coronary interventions (94%) and complications (2.3%) are similar to those registered in previous years, and in 9.7% of the cases, IIb-IIIa glicoprotein inhibitors were used. A 8.6% of the procedures were performed in order to treat an acute myocardial infarction. Coronary stenting is, continues to be the main device for coronary intervention. In 1998, coronary stents were employed in 14,497 cases (a 27% increase compared to 1997) which represents the 72% of all coronary revascularizations procedures. A total of 19,378 prosthesis were implanted, 83% in a elective way and 12.9% primary stenting, with a low rate of complications (1.5% subacute closure, 1.5% myocardial infarction and 0.94% mortality). Compared to 1997, directional coronary atherectomy (83 procedures) showed a slight decrease, whereas rotational atherectomy (549 procedures) has stabilized the number of procedures and centers performing this technique. As in previous years, a slight decrease (9% compared to 1997) in adult valvuloplasties (505 vs 559) were noted. Pediatric interventional procedures increased by 20% (557 vs 465 procedures) compared to the 1997 Registry.

Adult↗

[The treatment of intra-stent restenosis. The current situation and future outlook].

In-stent restenosis is an increasing problem due to the frequent use of coronary stent as a form of percutaneous revascularization. The global incidence is near to 28%, and it is well document that a neointimal hyperplasia is its principal mechanism. The most commonly related factors for its appearance are diabetes mellitus, a longer length of the original lesion, a smaller diameter of the reference vessel, the left anterior descending artery location and a smaller luminal diameter at the end of the procedure. Due to a different long term evolution in-stent restenosis has been classified as focal or diffuse, according to the length of the restenotic lesion (focal < 10 mm and diffuse > or = 10 mm). Some strategies have been proven for its treatment, but no randomized-controlled trials have been published comparing these different treatments. In focal in-stent restenosis the practice of a conventional balloon angioplasty is associated with high initial clinical success with a favourable long term evolution (target lesion revascularization between 11-15%). But on the contrary, in diffuse in-stent restenosis, in spite of a high initial success rate, an elevated target lesion revascularization has been detected at the follow-up (up to 43%). Other proved such as atherectomy or excimer laser are associated with a significant procedural non-Q-wave infarction (near to 9%) and a long term target lesion revascularization during follow-up (23-31%). The implantation of an additional stent has been performed with low procedural complications and with a long term target lesion revascularization near to 27%. Patients treated with intracoronary radiation as a complementary technique seem to have a better long term evolution than those having had the other strategies alone. In conclusion, in-stent-restenosis is a new and progressively more frequent problem, requiring complex treatment and of which as been established. Comparative controlled studies need to be performed in order to determine the best treatment for this new entity.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗

[Registry of activities of the Section of Hemodynamics and Interventional Cardiology in 1997].

The results of the Spanish Registry of Hemodynamic and Interventional Cardiology in 1997 are presented. The Registry collects the activity of 83 centers which constitute all the cardiac catheterization laboratories in Spain. The main activity was adult cardiac catheterization in 75 centers and exclusively pediatric cardiac catheterization in 8. A total of 72,370 diagnostic catheterization procedures, 80% coronary angiographies (57,960; 1,462 per million inhabitants), were performed which represents a 13% total increase compared to 1996. Coronary intervention increased by 23% compared to 1996, for a total number of 18,545 procedures. The ratio of coronary interventions per million inhabitants was 468. Success rates of coronary interventions (91.3%) and complications (3.7%) were similar to those registered in previous years. In the specific field of revascularization devices, there has been a dramatic increase in the use of stents. In 1997, coronary stents were employed in 11,417 cases (a 61% increase compared to 1996) which represents 61.5% of all coronary revascularizations procedures. A total of 14,170 prosthesis were implanted, 72% in a elective way, with a low rate of complications (0.95% subacute closure; 1.45% myocardial infarction and 0.75% mortality). Compared to 1996, directional coronary atherectomy (92 procedures) showed a slight decrease, whereas rotational atherectomy (554 procedures) increased by 49% with double the number of centers performing this technique. As in previous years, a slight decrease (7% compared to 1996) in adult valvuloplasties (559 vs 599) was noted. Pediatric interventional procedures decreased by 17% (465 vs 558 procedures) compared to the 1996 Registry.

Adult↗

[Angioplasty versus surgery in proximal stenosis of the anterior descending artery].

The points of view of the cardiac surgeon and the interventional cardiologist on their personal approach to the treatment of the significant lesions of the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery are still a matter of controversy. Two randomized studies have compared the efficacy of PTCA vs CABG in the treatment of patients with isolated proximal left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery stenosis. After a mean follow-up of 3 years these studies concluded that the incidence of events was significantly reduced in the CABG group. However, this conclusion requires a cautious interpretation because of methodological limitations of these studies. On the other hand, a recent randomized study has shown a reduction in the restenosis rate when an intracoronary stent is electively implanted after PTCA in proximal LAD stenosis. Similarly, surgical modifications in material and in technical aspects will probably result in a reduction of the morbidity sometimes associated with surgical procedures. Presented with favourable anatomy, PTCA with elective stent implantation may be the initial option in the treatment of proximal LAD stenosis, especially if another revascularization procedure is contemplated in the future. However, CABG is preferred when the LAD lesion suggests a complicated anatomy (chronic obstructions, ostial lesions or proximal bifurcations with a significant diagonal). Depending on the particular results for both procedures in each Institution, an individual evaluation seems to be mandatory in the vast majority of patients.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗

[Intracoronary stents in the treatment of angioplasty complications].

Acute or subacute occlusion of the dilated artery is the main cause of complication after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. The occlusion incidence ranges between 2 and 10% of the procedures and the mechanisms include dissection, subintimal hemorrhage, thrombosis, vasospasm and elastic recoil. Intracoronary stent is a metallic support which may seal dissection due to angioplasty, resists elastic recoil and geometric remodeling and prevents other occlusion mechanisms. Data from recent studies demonstrate the benefit of stenting acute occlusive coronary dissection in a large artery with extensive myocardium at risk. The election of the type of stent in the treatment of the acute coronary occlusion depends on the clinical status, the coronary anatomy and the stent characteristics. The major limitation of stent is the apparition of subacute thrombosis. The mechanisms of stent thrombosis are not well known. However, some factors related to complicated angioplasty, such as the presence of important dissection, intracoronary thrombus and vessels of small diameter have been involved. For this reason, the major incidence of subacute thrombosis is observed in bail-out situations. New techniques using intravascular ultrasound and high pressure dilatation after stent placement and new approaches in antiplatelet treatment have been recently described in order to reduce the incidence of subacute occlusion and the hemorrhagic events associated to previous anticoagulant therapy.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗

[The mechanism producing nausea during ventriculography performed with ioxaglate: the implications of a randomized study].

INTRODUCTION: The mechanism of ioxaglate-induced nausea has not been fully elucidated. Recent studies have demonstrated that serotonin is one of the principal neurotransmitters of emesis in humans. On the other hand, the greater capacity of ioxaglate to stimulate vomiting has been ascribed to its great ability to inhibit cholinesterase. METHODS: To determine if oral metoclopramide (a serotonin receptor-blocker) is effective in the prophylaxis of ioxaglate-induced nausea during left ventriculography, 637 of 711 consecutive eligible patients were included in a prospective study. Patients were randomized to receive, 60-90 minutes before the procedure, either diazepam 10 mg p.o. (control group [n = 315]) or diazepam 10 mg p.o. plus metoclopramide 10 mg p.o. (metoclopramide group [n = 322]). RESULTS: The two randomized groups were similar in relation to baseline clinical and hemodynamic characteristics. Nausea was documented in 103 patients (16.1%) with similar incidence in the two groups (control group: 16.8%, metoclopramide group: 15.5%; p = NS). Nausea duration was also similar (56 +/- 63 s vs 52 +/- 63 s; p = NS). When patients with and without nausea were compared, the following variables showed a significant difference between the two groups: male gender (86% vs 76%; p < 0.05), age (53 +/- 10 yrs vs 56 +/- 9 yrs; p < 0.05) and body surface area (1.84 +/- 0.2 m2 vs 1.78 +/- 0.1 m2; p < 0.01). Stepwise multiple regression analysis identified low age (p = 0.02) and male gender (p = 0.06) as independent predictors of nausea. The incidence of nausea was 24% in males < or = 45 yrs vs 9% in females > 45 yrs (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Prophylaxis with oral metoclopramide did not reduce the incidence of ioxaglate-induced nausea during left ventriculography. This data do not support a role of serotonin in the production of nausea by ioxaglate. Low age an male gender are independent predictors of nausea apparition during left ventriculography. A cholinergic mechanism is probably involved in the capacity of ioxaglate to stimulate vomiting.

Administration, Oral↗

[Electron microscopic comparison of the antithrombotic potential of 2 low osmolality iodine contrast media in percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty].

The antithrombogenic potentials of two low osmolality iodine contrast media, ioxaglate (Iox), an ionic product, and iopamidol (Iop), a non-ionic product, were compared in a multicentre, randomised, double-blind study in 64 patients undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) by scanning electron microscopy for the presence of thrombotic material on the guiding catheter (GC) and guide wires (GW). The procedure was strictly standardised: stable angina, type A coronary lesions; aspirin administration (at least 300 mg the day before and on the day of angioplasty); heparinisation (10000 IU at the beginning of the procedure); same GCs (Marathon Baxter 8F), same GWs (Veriflex USCI 0.014). The tips of the catheters and guide wires were scanned by an electronic microscope in a double-blind protocol. The scores for the number of erythrocytes (RBCs), platelets (PLs) and constituted thrombi (THi) were; thickness scored from 0 to 3, the % surface covered and an index of volume combining these two parameters. The clinical and angiographic characteristics of the 2 groups were strictly comparable. The time that the GCs and GWs were in the circulation were 30.0 +/- 2.3 vs 32.6 +/- 3.0 minutes for the former, and 18.6 +/- 1.8 vs 17.1 +/- 1.4 minutes for the later in the Iox and Iop groups, respectively (NS). An angiographic filling defect was not observed in any of the patients in the Iox group and in 4 patients (13%) in the Iop group (NS). The number of thrombotic elements observed on the GCs (RBCs, PLs, THi) was negligible in both groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗

[Penetrating aortic ulcer: clinical and angiographic characteristics].

BACKGROUND: "Penetrating aortic ulcer", an atherosclerotic lesion with ulceration that penetrates the internal elastic lamina and allows haematoma formation within the aortic wall, is rarely considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with sudden onset of severe chest or back pain. It has been suggested that it is a pathologic process that involves elderly hypertensive patients with severe atherosclerosis and rarely has been observed in the ascending aorta. METHODS: To determine the characteristics of this process, 11 clinical, 2 hemodynamic, 3 angiographic and 4 surgical variables were compared between 10 consecutive patients with penetrating aortic ulcers and 20 matched patients with classic acute aortic dissection. RESULTS: Clinical and hemodynamic variables were similar in both compared groups. In the group of patients with penetrating ulcer mean age was 58 +/- 6 years, previous hypertension was observed in 6 patients and the penetrating ulcer was located in the ascending aorta in 6 cases. In comparison to patients with aortic dissection, more angiographic projections were necessary to obtain the diagnosis in the group of patients with penetrating ulcer (2.4 +/- 0.8 vs 1.7 +/- 0.6; p < 0.05). In addition, the presence of angiographic aortic valve regurgitation was only observed in the group of patients with acute dissection (60% vs 0%; p < 0.001). Severe atherosclerosis was not present angiographically in any patient with penetrating ulcer. CONCLUSIONS: Penetrating aortic ulcer can also affect middle age patients without severe atherosclerosis and is frequently observed in the ascending aorta. Its form of presentation and clinical characteristics are similar to classic aortic dissection. The lack of angiographic confirmatory evidence of dissection with suggestive clinical history, should raise the possibility of penetrating aortic ulcer.

Aortic Diseases↗

Cyclic changes in pulmonary wedge v waves in dilated cardiomyopathy.

Right and left cardiac catheterization was performed in a 29-year-old male with dilated cardiomyopathy. During the procedure, prominent v waves appeared spontaneously in the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure recording with a simultaneous decrease in left ventricular systolic pressure. Left ventricular angiography showed moderate to severe mitral regurgitation and an ejection fraction of 22%. The right ventricular endomyocardial biopsy revealed histological findings consistent with dilated cardiomyopathy. Cardiac catheterization was repeated 9 months later, after a period of clinical improvement and a reduction in the right and left ventricular filling pressures was documented. The cyclic swings in the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and in the left ventricular systolic pressure were not observed. Left ventriculography showed mild mitral regurgitation with an ejection fraction of 37%. Right ventricular endomyocardial biopsy documented a reduction in myofibrillar and nuclear hypertrophy. Thus, cyclic changes in pulmonary wedge v waves may be observed in dilated cardiomyopathy. This finding is consistent with cyclic variations in the degree of mitral regurgitation. Disappearance of this factor seems to be related to improvement in left ventricular contractility.

Adult↗